Kickoff Set for Michigan–Michigan State Under the Lights on NBC
The Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy is officially headed for prime time. Again.
Michigan Football announced Saturday that its matchup at Michigan State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, airing nationally on NBC from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. After previously never playing at night, this will be the fourth straight night game for the rivalry.
The Wolverines will make their third appearance this season in NBC’s Big Ten Saturday Night slot, returning to the national stage for one of college football’s most heated rivalries. The last time Michigan was in East Lansing was in 2023, when the Wolverines defeated the Spartans 49–0 in a dominant performance on their way to a National Championship.
Michigan (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) will enter the rivalry game with renewed momentum after a bounce-back win against Washington, while Michigan State (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten) will look for a season-defining win under head coach Jonathan Smith, who is facing pressure from the Spartan fan base.
The Wolverines hold a 73–38–5 all-time advantage in the rivalry and have won the last three meetings. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock.