The biggest rivalry in the state of Michigan returns Saturday night as the Michigan Wolverines host the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. With the Paul Bunyan Trophy on the line, both teams will be looking to make a statement in one of the most anticipated games of the season.
Michigan enters the rivalry matchup with a 5-3 overall record and a 2-3 mark in Big Ten play. The Wolverines are coming off a 28-21 road win over Rutgers and will look to build momentum as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.
Michigan State, meanwhile, enters at 2-6 overall and 0-5 in conference play. The Spartans have lost six straight games after opening the season with back-to-back victories. Coming off a bye week, Michigan State will look to turn its season around by pulling off an upset against its in-state rival.
Game Information
- Matchup: Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans
- Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Michigan Stadium — Ann Arbor, Michigan
- TV: Peacock
- Trophy: Paul Bunyan Trophy
Team Records
- Michigan: 5-3 overall, 2-3 Big Ten
- Michigan State: 2-6 overall, 0-5 Big Ten
Michigan holds a 75-38-5 advantage in the all-time series and has won the last four meetings, including a 31-20 victory in East Lansing last season. The Wolverines will look to extend that streak and keep the Paul Bunyan Trophy in Ann Arbor.
Key Players to Watch
Michigan Wolverines
QB Tommy Carr: Carr has taken over as Michigan’s starting quarterback in recent weeks. He completed 22 of 27 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown against Rutgers while adding two rushing touchdowns.
RB Jordan Marshall: Marshall leads Michigan with 319 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He will be a key part of the offense as the Wolverines look to control the clock.
WR JJ Buchanan: Buchanan is Michigan’s leading receiver, with 38 catches for 611 yards and five touchdowns.
LB Troy Bowles: Bowles leads Michigan with 57 tackles and has been a steady presence on defense.
Michigan State Spartans
QB Alessio Milivojevic: Milivojevic has thrown for 1,263 yards and seven touchdowns this season, with three interceptions.
RB Jaziun Patterson: Patterson leads the Spartans with 327 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
TE Jayden Savoury: Savoury has recorded 29 receptions for 271 yards.
S Devin Vaught: Vaught leads Michigan State with 54 tackles, along with an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Team Statistical Leaders
| Category | Michigan | Michigan State |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Tommy Carr — 503 | Alessio Milivojevic — 1,263 |
| Rushing yards | Jordan Marshall — 319 | Jaziun Patterson — 327 |
| Receiving yards | JJ Buchanan — 611 | Chrishon McCray — 289 |
| Tackles | Troy Bowles — 57 | Devin Vaught — 54 |
Team Statistics
| Statistic | Michigan | Michigan State |
|---|---|---|
| Points scored per game | 21.3 | 19.9 |
| Points allowed per game | 16.4 | 25.8 |
| Total offense per game | 316.4 | 270.5 |
| Rushing offense per game | 138.0 | 110.1 |
| Passing offense per game | 178.4 | 160.4 |
| Total defense per game | 250.0 allowed | 346.5 allowed |
Michigan has a clear advantage on the defensive side of the ball, allowing just 16.4 points per game. The Wolverines have also held opponents to 250 total yards per game, while Michigan State has struggled to consistently move the football.
The Spartans have averaged only 19.9 points per game and have allowed 25.8. They will need to improve on both sides of the ball to have a chance at an upset.
Michigan’s 2026 Results
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | Western Michigan | W, 13-12 |
| Sept. 12 | No. 11 Oklahoma | W, 17-10 |
| Sept. 19 | UTEP | W, 52-17 |
| Sept. 26 | No. 17 Iowa | L, 19-20 |
| Oct. 3 | at Minnesota | L, 14-20 |
| Oct. 17 | Penn State | W, 21-18 |
| Oct. 24 | No. 6 Indiana | L, 6-13 (OT) |
| Oct. 31 | at Rutgers | W, 28-21 |
Michigan State’s 2026 Results
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 4 | Toledo | W, 30-20 |
| Sept. 12 | Eastern Michigan | W, 35-7 |
| Sept. 19 | at Notre Dame | L, 10-27 |
| Sept. 26 | Nebraska | L, 13-31 |
| Oct. 3 | at Wisconsin | L, 3-31 |
| Oct. 10 | Illinois | L, 37-38 (OT) |
| Oct. 17 | Northwestern | L, 21-24 |
| Oct. 24 | at UCLA | L, 10-28 |
Game Prediction: Michigan 23, Michigan State 9
Michigan State has struggled to find consistency during its six-game losing streak, and its offensive production will be a major concern heading into Ann Arbor. The Spartans have shown they can compete, particularly in their narrow overtime loss to Illinois, but they will need to play a much more complete game to pull off the upset.
Michigan’s defense should be the difference. The Wolverines have been strong against both the run and the pass, and that could make it difficult for the Spartans to sustain drives. On offense, Michigan should have opportunities to lean on Jordan Marshall and use Tommy Carr’s mobility to keep Michigan State guessing.
The rivalry can always produce surprises, but Michigan has the home-field advantage, the stronger defense and the recent momentum after beating Rutgers.
Final Prediction: Michigan 23, Michigan State 9.
The Wolverines win the Paul Bunyan Trophy for the fifth consecutive meeting and improve to 6-3 on the season.
