The Michigan Wolverines take on the Michigan State Spartans in the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy on Saturday night (7:30 p.m., Peacock). Prior to his debut in what he called an “intense” matchup, head coach Kyle Whittingham discussed the in-state rivalry and what he knows about it.
“It’s obviously intense, there’s a lot of nastiness in it,” Whittingham said on Monday morning. “It’s a game where both teams can throw out the records and whatever else has gone on this season. It’s its own entity.
We have to be ready to play.”
The hatred between Michigan and Michigan State has always been prevalent but there’s no doubt the rivalry has become increasingly intense in recent years. Now, it’s considered one of college football’s most bitter rivalry games.
Whether it be former Michigan linebacker Devin Bush stomping on the Spartans logo in 2018 or the assault in the Michigan Stadium tunnel in 2022, the in-state programs have had a ton of disdain for one another in recent memory.
“I guess there was a fight in the tunnel a couple years ago. Some sort of altercation in the tunnel,” Whittingham said. “I’ve heard it can be nasty at times. There’s some bad blood to it, but that’s good because it intensifies everything.”
Even though he hasn’t been a part of the rivalry until this year, Whittingham said he understands what it represents. From a storied history to bragging rights and the Paul Bunyan Trophy, the rivalry means a lot to the in-state schools.
“I think everyone in the country knows about it and as a coach, I understand it,” Whittingham said. “It’s a rivalry that comes with bragging rights in the state of Michigan and there’s a lot attached to it with the Paul Bunyan Trophy.”
With more than half of Michigan’s roster set to face Michigan State for the first time, Whittingham is planning to educate them by bringing in several former Wolverines to detail the importance and magnitude of the rivalry.
“We’ll have former players come in and talk to our guys, give their background and take on what the rivalry is about and what it means,” Whittingham said. “A lot of this week will be educating our guys on what this rivalry is all about.”
The annual in-state rivalry game dates back to 1898, and the upcoming matchup will be the 119th all-time meeting. Michigan has won each of the last four meetings with Michigan State and owns a 75-38-5 all-time record in the rivalry.
Michigan enters with a 5-3 overall record and a chance to secure bowl eligibility with a win. Meanwhile, Michigan State is in last place in the Big Ten, so an upset would be a season-saving victory.
“This game is the Super Bowl, particularly for them,” Whittingham said. “It’s a very important game for us, but they’re certainly in a different position at 2-6 than us at 5-3, so this type of game could really make their season.”
This is a must-win game for both teams — securing bragging rights and state supremacy until next season — so that hatred and intensity will be on display as Michigan and Michigan State clash on Saturday.
