News Summary
The Michigan Wolverines will face off against their historic rivals, the Michigan State Spartans, in a highly anticipated matchup. This will be the 118th meeting between the teams, with Michigan leading the all-time series. Both teams bring unique challenges to the game, with Michigan striving for its fourth consecutive victory over the Spartans. The stakes are high as they meet at Spartan Stadium, promising an impactful display of college football fans have come to expect.
East Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines are set to face their historic rival, the Michigan State Spartans, for the 118th time this Saturday, October 25. The highly anticipated matchup will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium, with the game being broadcast on NBC and available on the Learfield Michigan Sports Network radio.
Historically, the Wolverines lead the all-time series against the Spartans with a record of 74 wins, 38 losses, and 5 ties. This Saturday’s game marks the 73rd contest for the coveted Paul Bunyan Trophy, where Michigan holds a notable advantage of 41 wins to 29 losses and 2 ties. Last season, Michigan triumphed over Michigan State, winning 24-17 at Michigan Stadium, and the Wolverines have now secured victories in five of the last seven matchups.
In terms of location, Michigan has an impressive record against the Spartans in East Lansing, with 22 wins, 15 losses, and 2 ties. Specifically at Spartan Stadium, the Wolverines have a record of 20 wins, 12 losses, and 1 tie. However, in the last 10 games played at this venue, Michigan has a mixed record of 5 wins and 5 losses against the Spartans.
The Wolverines are currently on a quest for their fourth consecutive victory over their rivals; the last time they achieved such a streak was during a six-game win streak from 2002 to 2007. Michigan’s offensive line has proven effective this season, contributing to a solid performance with 18 rushing touchdowns while allowing only 9 sacks. The Wolverines’ rushing offense ranks 22nd nationally, averaging 212.1 yards per game, while their rushing defense stands at 15th, allowing just 92.7 yards per game.
Justice Haynes has emerged as a standout player, currently ranking fourth in the NCAA with an average of 117.5 rushing yards per game and sitting 15th nationally with eight rushing touchdowns. On the defensive front, Derrick Moore is a key player, leading the Wolverines with 4.5 sacks this season and totaling 15.5 in his career. Overall, the Wolverines rank fourth nationally in interceptions with a total of 11 and boast a turnover margin of +1.29, which is the third best in the country. Michigan has recorded multiple turnovers in five of their seven games this season, highlighting their strong defensive capabilities.
In terms of defensive performance, Michigan has consistently held opponents to an average of only 6.7 points per game in second halves, a statistic that ranks them tied for 12th in the FBS.
Contrastingly, the Spartans come into this rivalry matchup with a record of 3-4 this season and are currently enduring a three-game losing streak. Their recent performance includes a disappointing 38-13 loss to No. 3 Indiana. The pressure on head coach Jonathan Smith may be mounting, as a defeat against the Wolverines could jeopardize his position. The Spartans’ defense has particularly struggled, yielding 35 or more points in each of their last four games.
Notably, Michigan State’s last victory over Michigan dates back to 2021. Since then, the Wolverines have maintained dominance, winning their last three encounters, which includes a lopsided 49-0 victory during their last meeting in East Lansing in 2023. Currently, Michigan has improved their record to 5-1 in the last six matches against the Spartans.
The stakes are high as the Wolverines and Spartans prepare to clash in this long-standing rivalry, promising fans an exciting display of college football.
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Additional Resources
- MSU Spartans: Jonathan Smith Weekly Press Conference Coverage
- SI: Spartans vs Wolverines Preview
- Free Press: Michigan-Michigan State Game Start Time
- Hoosier Network: Indiana Football Preview
- Maize n Brew: Wolverines vs Spartans Kickoff Time
- Wikipedia: Michigan-Michigan State Football Rivalry
- Google Search: Michigan State Football
- Google Scholar: College Football in Michigan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Google News: Michigan Wolverines
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