If you live in the Mitten, you know the drill. It’s that one Saturday in October where the air turns crisp, the cider starts flowing, and families literally stop talking to each other for four hours. Michigan vs Michigan State football isn’t just a game. It is a territorial dispute. Honestly, if you aren't from around here, it's hard to explain why a four-foot wooden statue of a lumberjack named Paul Bunyan makes grown men want to throw furniture.
But things have changed. Fast.
The 2024 and 2025 seasons felt like a fever dream for both fanbases. We’ve seen coaching carousels, NCAA investigations that looked like a spy novel, and a power shift in the state that has left East Lansing searching for an identity.
The Paul Bunyan Trophy Stays in Ann Arbor
Let’s look at the scoreboard because that’s all that really matters at the end of the day. As of early 2026, the Michigan Wolverines have a serious stranglehold on this rivalry. They’ve won four straight.
The most recent clash on October 25, 2025, at Spartan Stadium was a perfect example of where these two programs currently sit. Michigan walked out with a 31-20 victory. It wasn't always pretty, but the talent gap was obvious. Michigan’s run game, led by Jordan Marshall—who iced the game with a 56-yard touchdown late in the fourth—just wore the Spartans down.
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Recent Results At A Glance
- 2025: Michigan 31, MSU 20 (East Lansing)
- 2024: Michigan 24, MSU 17 (Ann Arbor)
- 2023: Michigan 49, MSU 0 (East Lansing)
- 2022: Michigan 29, MSU 7 (Ann Arbor)
Basically, Michigan State hasn't tasted victory in this series since that wild 37-33 comeback in 2021 when Kenneth Walker III was scoring touchdowns like he was playing a video game. Since then? It’s been all Blue. The all-time record now stands at 75-38-5 in favor of Michigan.
What Really Happened with Jonathan Smith?
Most people thought the Jonathan Smith era would bring stability back to East Lansing. He was the "adult in the room" after the Mel Tucker scandal. But honestly, it was a disaster.
Smith was fired on November 30, 2025, after finishing a dismal 4-8 season. His two-year tenure ended with a 9-15 overall record. Why did it fail? You could point to the recruiting, which dipped to 12th in the Big Ten, or the inconsistent play of quarterback Aidan Chiles. Chiles had the arm, but the 14 interceptions in 2025 were just backbreakers.
"The 2025 football season has not lived up to our shared standard," MSU Athletic Director Alan Haller (J Batt) noted when the axe finally fell.
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It wasn't just the losses; it was the vibe. Fans complained about Smith's "stoic" sideline demeanor. When you're losing to your rival and your coach looks like he’s waiting for a bus, people get upset. The contrast was even sharper compared to Michigan's Sherrone Moore, who—despite his own NCAA headaches—has kept the Wolverines relevant and aggressive.
The Connor Stalions Shadow
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the guy in the sunglasses on the opposing sideline. The NCAA’s investigation into Michigan’s scouting scheme, led by Connor Stalions, dominated the headlines for years.
In August 2025, the NCAA dropped the hammer with a massive report. Sherrone Moore was hit with a show-cause order and a suspension for the start of the 2026 season. Jim Harbaugh, now long gone to the NFL, received a 10-year show-cause.
Spartan fans will tell you those Michigan wins from 2021-2023 are tainted. Wolverine fans will point to the 31-20 win in 2025—which happened long after Stalions was gone—as proof that they’re just the better team. The "disrespekt" remains at an all-time high.
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The 2026 Outlook: A New Chapter
So, what now? Michigan is heading into 2026 with a target on its back but a proven winning formula. They have found their next star in quarterback Bryce Underwood, who looked every bit the part during the 2025 rivalry game.
Michigan State, meanwhile, is back at square one. They are currently hunting for a new head coach who can handle the "Big Three" of the expanded Big Ten: Oregon, Ohio State, and, most importantly to the locals, Michigan.
Why This Rivalry Still Matters
- Recruiting: High school stars in Detroit and Grand Rapids are watching. If MSU can't win the game, they can't win the living room.
- The Paul Bunyan Trophy: It’s one of the most unique prizes in sports. Michigan leads the trophy series (since 1953) 42-29-2.
- State Identity: Michigan is the "global brand," but MSU has always prided itself on being the "blue-collar" alternative. That chip on the shoulder is what makes this game mean so much.
If you’re a Spartan, you’re looking for hope. You’re looking for a coach who understands that beating Michigan isn't part of the job—it is the job. If you’re a Wolverine, you’re enjoying the golden era, but you know the pendulum in this state always eventually swings.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
If you're planning to attend the 2026 game in Ann Arbor, book your hotels now. With Michigan State likely under a new regime and Michigan defending a four-game win streak, the "Big House" will be a pressure cooker. Keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring; MSU needs at least 15 high-level starters to bridge the talent gap we saw in the 2025 matchup.
Check the official Big Ten schedule for the 2026 kickoff time, as this game is increasingly moving toward a "primetime" night slot to maximize TV ratings.