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In a battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, Michigan will play host to Michigan State in a Big Ten in-state showdown Saturday night on Peacock and NBCSN.
The Spartans (0-5 Big Ten, 2-6 overall) and the Wolverines (2-3, 5-3) will meet for the 119th time in a rivalry that dates to 1898. Michigan holds a 75-38-5 edge in the series and a four-game winning streak, including a 31-20 road victory last year in East Lansing, Michigan.
Both programs will have first-year coaches (Pat Fitzgerald for Michigan State and Kyle Whittingham for Michigan) in the 74th edition of the Paul Bunyan Trophy Game, which dates to 1953 when the Spartans joined the Big Ten.
This will be the second home night game this season for Michigan, which is 12-1 in night games since the 2023 season. The Wolverines won 13-12 over Western Michigan in a controversial season opener under the lights.
The Spartans are seeking their first win at Michigan Stadium since 2020 but have won three of the past six meetings in Ann Arbor.
More information below on how to watch the game and previews for each team:
The Spartans will be coming off a bye week and trying to snap a six-game losing streak (including five Big Ten losses in a row). Michigan State needed the break to get healthy after their top three running backs were sidelined.
After Cam Edwards went out with a knee injury in the Sept. 26 loss to Nebraska, Iowa transfer Jaziun Patterson picked up the backfield slack. But despite leading Michigan State in rushing yards (327) and touchdowns (five), Patterson missed the UCLA game Oct. 24 after an injury against Northwestern. Backup running back Marvis Parris was then hurt just two plays into the 28-10 loss to UCLA.
At quarterback, Kayd Coffman became the first true freshman to start for the Spartans in 26 years. Coffman, who completed 4 of 10 passes for 42 yards against UCLA before being relieved by Leo Hannan, was pressed into action when an injury snapped a streak of 11 consecutive starts for Alessio Milivojevic.
Among the bright spots for Michigan State:
The Wolveriness beat Rutgers 28-21 on the road last week behind quarterback Tommy Carr, who threw for 266 yards and a touchdown while adding another two rushing TDs.
Since engineering a 21-18 second-half comeback over Penn State, Carr has started the past two games in replacing Bryce Underwood. In his starting debut against No. 4 Indiana, he completed 20 of 32 passes for 167 yards in a 13-6 overtime loss.
Jordan Marshall has started every game at tailback, rushing for 319 yards and five touchdowns on 86 carries. Savion Hiter has 314 yards on 87 carries for the Wolverines. JJ Buchanan has been the top wide receiver with 38 catches for 611 yards and five touchdowns.
On defense, linebacker Troy Bowles has led Michigan with 54 tackles.
College Countdown pregame show: Begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and continues on NBC and Peacock at 7 p.m. ET.
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