Michigan aims for fifth straight win over Spartans in Saturday night clash

Michigan and Michigan State will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, in a contest that determines the winner of the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The game will air on Peacock and take place at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

The Wolverines enter the matchup following a 28-21 victory over Rutgers on Oct. 31. That game was played at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan players indicated they would celebrate briefly before focusing on their in-state rival.

Michigan has won the last four meetings against the Spartans. The most recent contest ended with a 31-20 Michigan victory in East Lansing in 2025. A win on Nov. 7 would extend the winning streak to five games.

Such a streak would mark a rare occurrence in this rivalry. Michigan has not won five consecutive games against Michigan State since a six-game run from 2002 through 2007. The Wolverines also lead the all-time series 75-38-5 across 118 meetings.

In contests specifically decided for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, Michigan holds a 42-29-2 advantage over 73 games. Michigan State seeks to break the current run and reclaim the trophy on its opponent's home field.

The scheduling of the night kickoff finalizes the details for what is considered one of the Big Ten's most prominent in-state rivalries. Both programs now prepare for a game that carries state bragging rights and the physical trophy.