MSU's football team will travel to Ann Arbor this weekend to take on its biggest rival and the reigning national champions: University of Michigan.
Last year in East Lansing, the Wolverines kept the Paul Bunyan Trophy in a 49-0 beatdown of the Spartans. It was the largest margin of victory in the rivalry since 1947 and the largest margin of defeat for MSU in Spartan Stadium.
While Michigan football still has its physical, run-first identity, will play in front of over 100,000 fans at the Big House and has the last laugh in the rivalry, MSU's program enters Saturday with more momentum.
In the Wolverines' last two games, they suffered back-to-back losses to Big Ten squads Washington and Illinois on the road. In their second game, they were trounced at home by Texas.
Following a 15-0 season was always going to be difficult for Michigan first-year head coach Sherrone Moore, but some of the problems have extended beyond just growing pains. Whether the pressure to defend a national title or lack of chemistry or both, Michigan has experienced deficiencies through seven games, particularly at quarterback.
Moore has started three different quarterbacks so far and paid the price. Turnovers plagued Michigan late against Washington, early against Texas and in the second quarter against Illinois.
"(We're) still preparing for each quarterback," MSU redshirt senior linebacker Jordan Turner said after practice Wednesday.
Whoever starts Saturday will be at a disadvantage to MSU sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles, who has worked through his own turnover issues but been established as the guy under center moving forward. The Wolverines will need to rely on their patented run game.
"We’re excited as an offense that we can execute," redshirt junior running back Nate Carter said after practice Tuesday. "But that’s not where we wanna stay."
Last week, MSU faced powerhouse Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. The defense gave up a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter but otherwise held Johnson to 23 rushing yards. The test could prove important as the Spartans are now tasked with stopping a run-centric Wolverine squad.
While unexpected entering the season, the Paul Bunyan Trophy is up for grabs this year.
"It’s going to be an intense game, probably a little chippy," sixth-year offensive lineman Tanner Miller said after practice Tuesday. "They’re going to play up, we’re going to play up."
The rivalry matchup will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Michigan Stadium. Big Ten Network will air the game.
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