PAUL BUNYAN TROPHY

EAST LANSING, MI – The Paul Bunyan Trophy is staying in East Lansing. Michigan State took down archrival Michigan, 37-33, in one of the games of the year in college football on Saturday. The Spartans are now 8-0 and now firmly in the college football playoff conversation after what was quite the day in the state of Michigan as the college football world converged on East Lansing. On episode 54 of MLive’s Spartan Confidential podcast, reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap one of the best games we’ve ever seen in one of college football’s most heated rivalries. Topics include Kenneth Walker III’s Heisman moment, Jayden Reed’s clutch play, the arrival of freshman cornerback Charles “Chuck” Brantley and the incredible atmosphere around East Lansing and in Spartan Stadium.

MSU alumna Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a Rivalry Week ahead of Saturday's big game.

Michigan and Michigan State will face each other this weekend in the rivalry's first night game.

The annual battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy will provide a treat on Halloween weekend. 6 Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) plays at No. 8 Michigan State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) on Saturday (noon, FOX) in a game that mixes the traditional rivalry hype with national attention. The Spartans and Wolverines will square off with both teams undefeated for the first time since 2010 and it will be the first matchup with both in the AP top 10 since 1964.

ESPN’s College GameDay will be in East Lansing for Saturday’s game (noon, FOX) between No. 8 Michigan State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) and No. 6 Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten), it was announced Monday afternoon. It will be College GameDay’s first trip to East Lansing since Michigan State’s win against Oregon on Sept. 12, 2015, according to NCAA.com. Michigan at Michigan State is the only matchup of top-10 teams on the schedule this week.

The Michigan redshirt sophomore linebacker who entered the transfer portal on Feb. 12 announced his commitment to Michigan State on Saturday. His younger brother, Alex VanSumeren, is a 2022 four-star defensive tackle at Essexville Garber who decommitted from Michigan on Feb. 11 and Michigan State is among the schools recruiting him. After two seasons at Michigan State, Edward Warinner transferred to Michigan last January. Michigan State has lost 17 players to the portal since Nov. 16 but coach Mel Tucker has also been aggressive pursuing transfers. Michigan State signed two linebackers in its 2021 recruiting class in four-star Ma’a Gaoteote and three-star Carson Casteel.

That was the outlook most had for Michigan State heading into Saturday’s game at Michigan. But it was Michigan State (1-1) that struck first, never trailed and pulled out a 27-24 upset win at No. “He probably was the player of the game today,” Michigan State senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons said. “It was a tough week, it was a physical week,” Tucker said. “It’s not about one person.”The win changes the outlook for Michigan State moving forward with a trip to Iowa scheduled for next week.

The Spartans (1-1) never trailed and pulled out a 27-24 upset win at No. Michigan State snapped a two-game skid against Michigan and picked up its fifth win in the last seven games in Ann Arbor to bring the Paul Bunyan Trophy back to East Lansing. Here are notable quotes from Tucker and Michigan State players following the win:“Our players were very, very focused this week in the preparation. State fans, this one’s for you.”- Tucker, who became only the second Michigan State coach to win in his debut against Michigan. That’s most of the reason we won the game.”- Lombardi on Michigan State’s zero turnovers.

Michigan State, which closed as a 21.5-point underdog against No. 13 Michigan, took a 14-10 lead into halftime on Saturday in Ann Arbor. Michigan vs. Michigan State live updates: Spartans lead by 4 at halftimeThe Spartans (0-1), who are coming off a 38-27 season-opening upset loss against Rutgers last week, struck first on their second possession of the game. After back-to-back punts, Michigan State regained the lead. After committing seven turnovers against Rutgers last week, the Spartans didn’t have one in the first half against Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Tree Town will be quieter than normal for the Michigan vs. Michigan State football game Saturday. Parking lots will all be blocked off -- including at Pioneer High School and at the golf course. RELATED: Why I’m picking Michigan football to beat Michigan State -- will it be the blowout everyone expects? I love a Michigan State Michigan matchup,” Gov. Players will have to adjust as no fans will be allowed inside The Big House.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football is expected to crush Michigan State this weekend, as the current betting line favors the Wolverines by more than three touchdowns. While Michigan dominated a top 25 team in Minnesota, Michigan State turned the ball over seven times in a loss to conference bottom feeder Rutgers. “This game against the school down the road is not just another game, so it’s really special to me,” Tucker said. Tucker said that’s when teams generally show the most improvement, and it’s hard to imagine Michigan State turning the ball over seven times. Michigan crushed Michigan State 44-10 when the two teams met last season at the Big House.

ANN ARBOR – The Paul Bunyan Trophy is staying Ann Arbor. Thanks to a brilliant performance from quarterback Shea Patterson, who threw for 384 yards and four touchdowns, No. 15 Michigan earned a 44-10 rout of Michigan State in the annual game between the teams Saturday in Ann Arbor. Michigan is now 8-2 with games at Indiana and home against Ohio State left. Michigan State needs to win at Rutgers and home against Maryland to become bowl-eligible.

Michigan and Michigan State will face each other this weekend in the rivalry's first night game.