Paul Bunyan Trophy on the Line in East Lansing

The storied rivalry between the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans ignites once more this Saturday, October 25, 2025, as the two in-state foes clash for the 118th time. The highly anticipated matchup, with the coveted Paul Bunyan Trophy at stake, kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Fans nationwide can tune in to the action on NBC.

A Storied Rivalry: History and Recent Form

This fierce intrastate battle dates back to October 12, 1898, with Michigan holding a commanding 74-38-5 lead in the all-time series. The Paul Bunyan Trophy, a four-foot wooden statue, was first introduced in 1953. In recent years, bragging rights have firmly belonged to the Wolverines, who have won the last three meetings, including a 24-17 victory at Michigan Stadium in 2024.

Michigan Wolverines: Aiming for Big Ten Contention

The No. 25 Michigan Wolverines (5-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) enter this contest with momentum, fresh off a dominant 24-7 victory over Washington last week. This win helped them rebound from a tough loss to USC two weeks prior. The Wolverines are looking to maintain their pace in the Big Ten championship race.

Key Players and Performance:

Quarterback Bryce Underwood: The true freshman has been a focal point, completing 21 of 27 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns against Washington. For the season, Underwood has thrown for 1,440 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions with a 62.4% completion rate, adding 202 rushing yards and three scores.
Running Back Justice Haynes: Listed as questionable for the game, Haynes leads the team with 705 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. In his absence last week, sophomore Jordan Marshall stepped up with a career-high 133 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Defense: Michigan’s defense has been a strong suit, allowing just 17 points per game (17th nationally) and holding opponents to 307.9 total yards per game (24th nationally). They forced three interceptions and two sacks against Washington.

Injury Report:

Michigan will be without several key players, including veteran safety Rod Moore, starting left tackle Evan Link, and tight end Hogan Hansen, all listed as ‘Out’. Star running back Justice Haynes is ‘Questionable’, though early indications from warmups were positive.

Michigan State Spartans: Seeking an Upset and a Turnaround

The unranked Michigan State Spartans (3-4 overall, 0-4 Big Ten) are in a challenging position, having dropped four straight games, including a 38-13 loss to No. 3 Indiana last week. Second-year head coach Jonathan Smith is under pressure to turn the program around, and an upset victory over their arch-rivals could provide a much-needed boost.

Key Players and Performance:

Quarterback Aidan Chiles: Chiles has thrown for 1,262 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions this season, also contributing 234 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He completed 27 of 33 passes for 243 yards and a score against Indiana.
Wide Receiver Nick Marsh: Marsh is a significant threat, with 36 receptions for 404 yards and five touchdowns, making him Chiles’ primary target in the red zone.
Defense: The Spartans’ defense has struggled, ranking 119th nationally in yards allowed per play (6.2) and giving up 382.7 yards and 32.7 points per game (tied for 121st nationally).

Injury Report:

Michigan State faces its own injury concerns, with starting right guard Luka Vincic out for the remainder of the season and wide receiver/kickoff returner Alante Brown sidelined indefinitely.

Game Day Information and Betting Insights

The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC, with Noah Eagle handling play-by-play, Todd Blackledge as the analyst, and Kathryn Tappen reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options include Fubo (with a free trial), DIRECTV (with a free trial), Sling (with promotional offers), and Peacock (subscriber only).

According to the latest DraftKings Sportsbook odds, Michigan is a 14-point favorite (-110), with Michigan State at +14 (-110). The over/under is set at 47.5 points. The moneyline favors Michigan at -600, while Michigan State is at +425. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Michigan nearly an 88% chance of winning.

For fans in Michigan looking to add to the excitement, BetMGM is offering a special bonus. New users can use the bonus code CUSE150 to receive $150 in bonus bets after placing a winning $10 wager, as reported by syracuse.com.

This rivalry game promises to be a compelling contest, with Michigan fighting for conference standing and Michigan State desperate to upset their rivals and salvage their season. The atmosphere at Spartan Stadium is expected to be electric as these two teams battle for state bragging rights and the Paul Bunyan Trophy.