Saturday’s game at Spartan Stadium is the 100th game between MSU and Michigan. There’s another noteworthy number concerning the game: 66-28-5, the all-time series record in favor of U-M.
Many of those wins came before the Spartans entered the Big Ten in 1949 — Michigan entered in 1896, the year the conference was formed. Since introducing the Paul Bunyan Trophy in 1953, which the game’s winner receives, Michigan leads the series 33-19-2.
There is tradition behind this game, and it’s a tradition of losing for MSU. But none of that will matter Saturday.
“All that stuff in the past isn’t going to have an impact on who wins the game on Saturday,” senior running back Jehuu Caulcrick said. “The deciding factor of who wins the game on Saturday is who plays the hardest on Saturday, in the present.”
An MSU victory might help cure the woes of the past, though. The Spartans haven’t beaten U-M since Nov. 3, 2001, at Spartan Stadium. Exactly six years later, MSU will try to repeat that feat.
“We look at that record and that just states the obvious: We have some catching up to do in the win-loss column of the rivalry,” senior safety Travis Key said. “Why not start this year?”
MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio won’t let his players forget about the past 99 years. He has shown films of previous games against the Wolverines, reminding players of what MSU teams have achieved.
The locker-room code centers around the game. And Tuesday, Dantonio hung U-M banners inside the Duffy Daugherty Football Building to serve as a constant reminder of the Wolverines.
The weeks of mental preparation and years of dissatisfaction have the Spartans ready for Saturday’s game.
“We’re looking at this like it’s a gang street fight: green, blue,” senior defensive end Ervin Baldwin said. “The bottom line is who wants it the most.”
The numbers show that U-M has wanted it the most. Senior linebacker Kaleb Thornhill, though, said the freshmen are “starting to learn what the hatred is all about.”
The Spartans have learned that numbers belong on paper, however. What the players do occurs on the field.
And when they get out there, the past 99 years mean nothing.
“I just know we have to beat them this year,” senior nose tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo said. “That’s the only record we’re worrying about — being 1-0 this year.
“I really don’t know what the all-time record is, that’s 100 years ago. That’s for history classes.”
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