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Michigan State football vs. Michigan: Series history trivia

How well do you know the rivalry?

Published

4 weeks ago

October 25, 2024

Joey Shaver

Michigan State football will get a chance to end the rivalry losing streak against Michigan on Saturday night. But first, some trivia.

It’s that week. For people in the state of Michigan, it doesn’t need much more of an introduction than those three words.

Michigan State football vs. Michigan. The battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The 117th meeting will be held this Saturday in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines lead the all-time series 73-38, with five ties.

This rivalry runs deep. The disdain spans generations and divides households. We all know fans and graduates from the opposite side that we’ll be speaking to a little less over the next few days.

For now, though, I’d like to try and bring the two sides together with a friendly game of trivia. Haul this out on your way to the game or at your tailgate to see who has more knowledge of the rivalry. All answers will be listed at the bottom of the article. Good luck.

Questions

1: True or false? Michigan State was accepted into the Big Ten in 1949, but it was not until 1953 that the game was considered a conference game due to protests by the University of Michigan administration.

2: Michigan vs. Michigan State football has been played uninterrupted, every year since 1945. This is largely due to MSU joining the Big Ten in 1949. Which school dropped out of the conference, allowing Michigan State to join?

3: True or false? In addition to Ann Arbor and East Lansing, the game was played at Tiger Stadium in Detroit for three seasons in the 1960s.

4: Though the rivalry dates back to 1898, the two teams have only been playing for the Paul Bunyan Trophy since 1953. Since then, what is the largest margin of victory by either team?

5: The series has seen three games go to overtime. Two of those games occurred in consecutive seasons. Can you name the starting quarterback that led Michigan to both victories?

6: How many times has ESPN’s “College GameDay” been in attendance for the rivalry game?

7: Jonathan Smith will attempt to become the third Michigan State head coach to win his first game in the rivalry. Can you name the other two?

8: On Saturday, these two teams will meet with neither team ranked in the top 25. When was the last time that happened?

9: When was the last time that Michigan State was the betting favorite in the rivalry?

10: Jalen Watts-Jackson’s name will live forever in this rivalry after the “trouble with the snap” fumble return for a touchdown. Can you name the Michigan punter who fumbled the snap?

11: Mike Hart’s “little brother” comments became famous after the 2007 Michigan victory. Can you name the Michigan Wolverine that scored the game-winning touchdown in that game?

12: In the “trophy era” (1953-present), this Saturday will mark the second time both teams will feature first year head coaches. Can you name the other year?

13: From 1969-1989, Bo Schembechler went 17-4 against Michigan State. Can you name the only Michigan State coach to beat him more than once?

14: Which Michigan State player holds the record for most rushing yards in a single game against the Wolverines?

15: Who was the last Michigan head coach to beat Michigan State in his first season?

16: This year marks the third consecutive season where the kickoff will take place at night. What year did the first night game occur in the series?

17: Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke combined to win one game against Michigan State from 2008-2014. Can you name Michigan’s starting quarterback for that lone victory?

18: Dating back to 2000, Michigan has been ranked in the top 25 for 12 of their 13 victories against the Spartans. What year were they not?

19: True or false? This is the first time since 1928 that both teams will enter the game with at least three losses.

20: Who was the last Michigan State player to score a touchdown against Michigan?

21: True or false? The Paul Bunyan Trophy was originally presented to Michigan State by the governor of Michigan in 1953 to congratulate them on a dramatic victory over Michigan.

22: The epic 2021 game between Michigan and Michigan State football featured three consensus first-team All-Americans. Can you name them?

23: Michigan State won four consecutive games from 2008-2011. Can you name the MSU receiver to record a reception in all four victories?

24: Which Michigan State player holds the record for receiving yards in a single game against the Wolverines?

25: Since 1955, the rivalry game has been played later than the first weekend in November one time. Can you remember the year?