Michigan vs Michigan State Rivalry Week Continues To Divide Fans
The Backyard Brawl between Michigan and Michigan State is underway. Both campuses are in spirit mode this week, with an exciting lineup of events leading up to the highly anticipated football game.
The Battle For The Paul Bunyan Trophy
The teams first played in 1898 and have met 116 times. The game has now been played uninterrupted every year since 1945.
The winner of each year’s game receives the Paul Bunyan—Governor of Michigan Trophy, a four-foot wooden statue of a lumberjack first presented in 1953 to commemorate Michigan State’s beginning football competition as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
Who Has Bragging Rights?
Michigan Wolverines leads the series with an overall record of 73–38–5, though the series has seen switches during which one team or the other has experienced periods of dominance.
Trophy Wins Michigan Leads 40-29-2
Largest score victory October 8, 1902 Michigan 119-0
Winning Streak Michigan 14 in a row
Current Win Streak 2 Michigan
Score from last year’s game October 21, 2023
Michigan, 49–0
Spartan Upset Victories Against Michigan
Oct 17, 2015: All Michigan had to do was get this punt off, and it would hand Michigan State its first loss of the season. Instead, an unfathomable play handed the Wolverines the 27-23 loss.
Michigan Shut Out Michigan State in 2023
J.J. McCarthy threw a career-high four touchdowns to help lead Michigan to a decisive 49-0 shutout win vs. Michigan State as the Wolverines improved to 8-0 on the season
Why This Year Michigan vs Michigan State Game Is One To Watch
A lot can change in one season. Michigan Wolverines have found themselves in the position of quarterback this season, and there has been a loss of many players from last year’s championship team.
The Spartans see blood in the water and look to show their Big Brother a game to remember this year.
Michigan’s run game has struggled in the first half of the season. Questions are out there about what to do against the Spartans.
Michigan State football has its biggest game of the season this weekend. Sorry, Oregon, Ohio State, and even Indiana. The Paul Bunyan Trophy game is what matters in East Lansing.
All Jokes Aside, Fans Have A Sense Of Humor Going Into This Weekend
On my social media pages, I asked fans of both sides to give their best football rival roasts of each other. Here’s what they sent me.
Brian – How did you know when you met a Michigan alum? Wait about 3 seconds, and they’ll tell you.
Chuck – I never insult Spartans. I don’t want them to mess up my food order. #goblue
Michael – Wolverines .. tastes like chicken!
Jerry – Q. Why do all of the trees in Lansing lean towards the east?
A. Because MSU SUCKS!
Brad – Q. What does the average Michigan player get on their SAT?
A. Drool.
Bob – What do you call a football player in Michigan who has talent?
A. A Spartian
Mary, Have you heard the news? Michigan State will only dress 60 players for the game against Michigan. The rest of the players will have to dress themselves.
Good Luck To Both Schools This Year!
The Backyard Brawl is set for Saturday, October 26th, at 7:30 p.m. under the lights at The Big House Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
The 5 Greatest Stadiums In College Football
Rose Bowl Stadium - UCLA
You can’t talk about iconic stadiums and not mention Rose Bowl Stadium. It’s basically the epitome of iconic stadiums. Then, you add the mountain backdrop and it really can’t get much better than that. Personally, I’ve never been but it’s high up on my bucket list.
The iconic Rose Bowl (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Tiger Stadium - Louisiana State University
This is Tiger Stadium. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Tigers may hate cinnamon, but they love football. LSU’s Tiger Stadium is one of the best environments in all of college football. That place gets loud! No team wants to come into Death Valley. I mean, certainly they call it that for a reason, right?
Neyland Stadium - University of Tennessee
Neyland Stadium can get rocking! (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
There’s something about Neyland Stadium that stands out and separates from the pack. Maybe it’s the checkered end zone. Perhaps it’s the crowd in their orange and white. The music? So much to like about games at Tennessee. Whenever I see one of their night games on TV, I can’t lie I get a little jealous. Good for those students who get to enjoy game days there.
Kinnick Stadium - University of Iowa
Gotta respect Kinnick Stadium. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
It’s Iowa, how exciting can it be? I understand that perspective. However, what makes Kinnick one of the best stadiums in the country has nothing to do with their field or play. I love how the children’s hospital overlooks the field. What an amazing thought. It gives the kids an opportunity to watch the games, and that can mean everything. I think it could be one of my favorite traditions in all of sports.
Every game, at the end of the first quarter, the filled stadium and sidelines turn their attention to UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and wave to the children. Watch it sometime. It will melt your heart…and I say that as a fan of another Big Ten school. Good on you, Iowa!
Michigan Stadium - University of Michigan
Welcome to The Big House (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)
You had to have seen this coming, right? I’m a proud Spartan and even I can’t deny the greatest that is The Big House. Not only is it the largest stadium in the United States (and entire Western Hemisphere), it’s the third-largest stadium in all of the world! It’s truly a sight to behold.
