One of the most well-established rivalries in the Big Ten and college football at large, Michigan vs. Michigan State first began in 1898, with the Wolverines and Spartans skirmishing every year since 1945.

Though Michigan holds the historical edge, MSU has some of the most iconic moments in the series' history, including "trouble with the snap" and the "No. One vs. No One" game of 1990. The two schools also play for one of the most iconic trophies in college football: the Paul Bunyan Trophy (not to be confused with The Paul Bunyan Axe, which goes to the winner of Minnesota vs. Wisconsin). The Paul Bunyan Trophy was established in 1953, commemorating the Spartans' introduction into the Big Ten Conference.

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Since then, Michigan and Michigan State have played each other 70 times, with Michigan claiming the trophy 39 times, Michigan State doing so 29 times, and the two teams tying twice. The Spartans were dominant when the trophy was first introduced, winning 10 of the first 15 matchups with a pair of ties. After a stretch of Wolverine dominance, the Spartans have a slight edge since 2008.

Despite the obvious disparity in both teams' seasons thus far, the night game atmosphere in East Lansing looming Saturday is undoubtedly on Michigan fans' minds. The Spartans are looking to play spoiler and avoid going up against the wall for bowl eligibility. That, plus the trophy, is plenty to play for.

Why is it called the Paul Bunyan — Governor of Michigan Trophy?

Although it's most commonly referred to in shorthand, the full name of Michigan vs. Michigan State's prize is the Paul Bunyan — Governor of Michigan Trophy. That obviously doesn't roll off the tongue, but it pays homage to Michigan's 1949-1960 governor G. Mennen Williams, who established the trophy tradition in 1953 after Michigan State joined the Big Ten.

The trophy is meant to honor Michigan's lumber industry, dating back to the 1800s.

Who is Paul Bunyan?

Paul Bunyan is an American and Canadian folk hero: a giant lumberjack who is often depicted as having a love for buffalo plaid and his giant blue ox, Babe.

True to the intent of the trophy, his legend was spread through loggers, and often involved incredible feats of strength. Michigan is one of the claimed "birthplaces" of Bunyan — specifically Oscoda — a town on the coast of Lake Huron in northeast Michigan.

Michigan vs. Michigan State record

Michigan dominated the Michigan vs. Michigan State rivalry upon its inception, thanks in part to having a far more well-established program. Michigan holds the overall edge in the rivalry series, leading 72-38-5. It also leads the trophy series 39-29-2.

Michigan State, however, reclaimed the reins of the rivalry in 2008. Since then, the Spartans are 10-5, including some of the series' most iconic wins in 2015 and 2017.

Michigan enters this game as the holders of the Paul Bunyan Trophy after a 29-7 win last year. Lloyd Carr once called it the "ugliest trophy in college football" before adding, "when you don't have him, you miss him."

“There's been times where they have been 4-0 and we've been 1-3,” former Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said in 2019. “Yet we have been able to find a way to win.”

How tall is the Paul Bunyan Trophy?

True to its namesake, the Paul Bunyan Trophy is almost comically large, and seeing players celebrate with it is always entertaining.

The statue is 4 feet tall and stands on a 5-foot base, putting it at a staggering 9 feet tall. Two flags flank Bunyan, one with the Michigan "M" and the other with Michigan State's "S."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Paul Bunyan Trophy: What to know about Michigan, MSU's rivalry prize