EAST LANSING, Mich. – The No. 25-ranked Michigan Wolverines are preparing to face the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing for the Paul Bunyan Trophy while also looking for their fourth straight win in the rivalry series.
The battle for the state championship will take place on Saturday (Oct. 25) at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.
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The last time Michigan won four consecutive games in the series was during a six-game streak from 2002 to 2007.
Coming into the game, the Spartans are, on the other hand, riding a four-game losing streak heading into the matchup.
Offensive line
Michigan’s offensive line has been a key factor, paving the way for 18 rushing touchdowns this season while allowing only nine sacks.
Despite injuries forcing Michigan to start its fifth different offensive line this weekend, the unit remains effective.
The Wolverines’ offense averages four negative plays per game, ranking 17th nationally in tackles for loss allowed.
Big plays
Through seven weeks, Michigan’s offense has produced 32 plays of 20 or more yards, 20 receiving and 12 rushing.
Justice Haynes and Andrew Marsh lead the team with seven such plays each, with Haynes’ being all rushes and Marsh’s mostly receptions.
Rushing attack
Haynes leads a strong rushing attack alongside Jordan Marshall, who has taken on the primary role in recent games.
Either back starting has reached at least 100 rushing yards and scored a touchdown in six of seven games this year.
Marshall is notable for his efficiency, losing only one yard on 84 carries and averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
Michigan ranks 22nd nationally in rushing offense, averaging 212.1 yards per game.
Six different players have scored rushing touchdowns, led by Haynes, who ranks 15th nationally with eight rushing touchdowns despite missing nearly two full games.
Haynes’ 705 rushing yards rank second in the Big Ten, and he is fourth nationally in rushing yards per game, averaging 117.5 yards and 7.42 yards per carry—both leading the Big Ten.
He is also among a select group of backs nationally with multiple long runs of 40-plus and 50-plus yards.
Bryce Underwood
Quarterback Bryce Underwood averages 5.2 yards per carry with three rushing touchdowns and, adjusted for sacks, averages 6.9 yards per carry.
Underwood’s passing game continues to develop, completing 62.4% of his passes with an average of 7.95 yards per attempt and a pass efficiency rating of 139.8.
He ranks 33rd nationally with 12.74 yards per completion.
Underwood matched his career-high with 21 completions last weekend and has surpassed 200 passing yards in five games this season.
Receiving corps
Twelve different players have caught passes this season, with five having 10 or more receptions. Freshman Marsh has 17 catches, 267 yards, and two touchdowns over the last three weeks.
Tight ends have combined for 27 catches and 328 yards, with four of five tight ends averaging 12.6 yards or more per catch.
Defense
Michigan leads the turnover battle with a 14:4 ratio, ranking third nationally.
The Wolverines have forced 14 turnovers, ranking eighth in the FBS.
Linebacker Cole Sullivan leads the team with four turnovers forced, including three interceptions.
Sullivan is among nine Michigan linebackers with three or more interceptions in a season, a feat last achieved in 1991.
The Wolverines rank fourth nationally with 11 interceptions and have recorded multiple turnovers in five of seven games.
Eighteen different players have recorded interceptions or pass breakups, with Zeke Berry leading with five passes defended.
Michigan’s pass rush averages 2.43 sacks per game, ranking 33rd nationally, with 17 total sacks, sixth in the Big Ten.
The defense ranks 26th nationally in tackles for loss, averaging 6.7 negative plays per game.
Derrick Moore leads with 4.5 sacks, and Jaishawn Barham leads with 7.0 tackles for loss.
Michigan’s rushing defense ranks 15th nationally, allowing 92.7 yards per game and 3.0 yards per carry.
Only Oklahoma and USC have rushed for over 100 yards against the Wolverines this season.
The Wolverines rank 24th in total defense, with only Oklahoma and USC allowing more than 300 total yards against Michigan.
Linebacker Ernest Hausmann leads the team with 47 tackles through six games, followed by Jimmy Rolder with 42.
The top three tacklers are linebackers.
Opponents have struggled in the red zone, scoring on 76.2% of drives, which ranks 20th nationally.
In the fourth quarter, opponents have scored only four field goals and two touchdowns.
Michigan allows an average of 6.7 points per game in the second half, ranking tied for 12th nationally.
History
Michigan has a 74-38-5 all-time record against the Spartans. The Wolverines have won the last three games by scores of 29-7 in 2022, 49-0 (Worst in Spartan Stadium) in 2023, and 24-17 in 2024.
The Wolverines are 5-5 in their last 10 matchups inside Spartan Stadium.
The Paul Bunyan Trophy is on the line for the 73rd time. The trophy game began in 1953, with Michigan holding a 41-29-2 advantage.