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Michigan's Most Defining Moments Against Michigan State

71F2D47D-A8FB-4317-A6CB-CDB07466C09Aby: Trevor McCue10/23/25TrevorMcCue
Colston Loveland
Michigan Wolverines football tight end Colston Loveland scored 2 touchdowns against MSU. (Photo by Per Kjeldsen / TheWolverine.com)

When Michigan and Michigan State clash, the game rarely feels like just another Saturday in college football. It’s personal — a battle for pride, bragging rights, and the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The rivalry has spanned 125 years, defining moments, and unforgettable heartbreaks on both sides. From trick plays and Heisman heroes to heartbreak finishes and infamous quotes, this is a rivalry built on emotion and memory as much as football. Ahead of this weekend’s meeting in East Lansing, here’s a look back at the greatest games and biggest moments for Michigan in the rivalry with "Little Brother".