The battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy returns tonight.

Michigan football hosts Michigan State for the latest rendition of the in-state rivalry. Both teams enter the matchup at 4-3 with the Wolverines coming off a loss to Illinois and the Spartans taking down Iowa.

They will also be led by two head coaches, Sherrone Moore and Jonathan Smith , who will be making their coaching debuts in the rivalry. Moore has experience in the rivalry thanks to his time on Michigan's staff dating back to 2018, but Smith will be in the rivalry for the first time.

Michigan is on its first losing streak since 2020 after struggling on offense in tough road losses to Washington and Illinois. The Wolverines have a lingering question at quarterback and will be going back to Davis Warren as the starter , while the Spartans found something that worked on offense against Iowa. Aidan Chiles' efficient performance under center led to 32 points with just one turnover.

The winner of the game will move one win away from bowl eligibility while the loser drops to .500 needing two wins in the final month to reach the postseason.

The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network or Fubo (free trial) . Michigan is a 4½-point favorite, according to BetMGM.

Follow for live updates from Michigan-Michigan State in Ann Arbor below.

Michigan vs. Michigan State live updates, game highlights

6:52, 1Q: Jonathan Kim misses 25-yard FG, MSU comes up empty on first drive

Michigan State received the opening kickoff and put together a drive deep into Michigan territory with an effective running attack and a 26-yard screen to Nate Carter after a play-action fake to move into Wolverine territory. Aidan Chiles picked up the first first down with a scramble, but Carter did the rest. He converted back-to-back third-and-2's on the ground to get inside the 10-yard line. Michigan State ran it down to the 2-yard line then called a play-action fake on third-and-goal, but Chiles couldn't find an open receiver. The Spartans lined up to go for it from the 2, but got called for a delay of game. Jonathan Kim, who set a school record with six field goals last week, missed the 25-yarder for his second miss of 2024 and first miss inside 50 yards. MSU drove 73 yards and took eight minutes off the clock, but came away empty.

Availability report: Will Johnson out: Antonio Gates Jr. no longer with MSU

The Wolverines had nine players ruled out on the pregame availability report, including All-American cornerback Will Johnson and quarterback Jack Tuttle , who started last game. Defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny and wide receiver Amorion Walker are also out and defensive back Quinten Johnson is questionable.

MSU had no new injuries but redshirt sophomore wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr. is no longer on the Spartans' roster . Defensive end Avery Dunn and defensive backs Chance Rucker and Dillon Tatum also remain out.

Michigan vs. Michigan State pregame notes

The Wolverines and Spartans are meeting for the 117th matchup of the battle for Paul Bunyan , with Michigan holding a sizable lead in the all-time series along with an active two-game winning streak. MSU last won the rivalry in 2021 and are looking for their first win at Michigan Stadium since 2020.

Michigan has struggled to muster any offense this year thanks to the lack of passing stemming from the quarterback issue and one of the worst turnover issues in the country . Michigan has still found success at times with a run-heavy approach the Wolverines rank in the bottom third of the country in scoring, passing yards and giveaways. Michigan could be without cornerback Will Johnson , who left last game early with a foot injury.

MSU has drastically improved on defense from 2023, holding teams to 20.86 points per game, and held Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, the nation's second-leading rusher, in check until a late burst to the end zone after the game was settled.

On the other side, Michigan State's offense has experienced some issues, particularly with turnovers, but have shown a boom-or-bust capability with Chiles that smoothed out last week. The Spartans put together a complete performance last week against Iowa with over 200 rushing and passing yards , but now have a test against Michigan's decorated defense and defensive line.

Michigan vs. Michigan State time today

What channel is Michigan vs. Michigan State on today?

Matchup: Michigan State (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) at Michigan (4-3, 2-2).

TV/radio: Big Ten Network; WXYT-FM (97.1), WJR-AM (760).

Line: Wolverines by 5½.

Michigan vs. Michigan State availability report

MSU — Out: TE Michael Masunas (shoulder, season), OL Kristian Phillips (left leg, season), OL Gavin Broscious (lower left leg, season), DB Khalil Majeed (lower body, season), CB Chance Rucker (arm), DB Dillon Tatum (lower body).

Questionable: WR Alante Brown (upper body), WR Antonio Gates Jr. (undisclosed), DE Avery Dunn (undisclosed), DB Lejond Cavazos (undisclosed), LB Semaj Bridgeman (undisclosed).

U-M — Out: DB Rod Moore (ACL), DB Ja’Den McBurrows (undisclosed).

Questionable: CB Will Johnson (foot), S Jaden Mangham (undisclosed), LB Micah Pollard (undisclosed), DE Enow Etta (undisclosed), DT Rayshaun Benny (undisclosed), RB Jordan Marshall (lower body), RB Leon Franklin (undisclosed), RB Bryson Kuzdzal (undisclosed), TE Marlin Klein (undisclosed).

Probable: LT Myles Hinton (upper body).

Michigan vs. Michigan State prediction, picks

Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press : A prime-time showdown buried on Big Ten Network will prove TV executives made the wrong decision, as the Spartans and Wolverines live up to their historically heated and intense rivalry with a Big Ten slugfest of the highest magnitude. Chiles continues to receive pressure, and U-M gets home enough to disrupt the rhythm early. But the vastly improved MSU defense shuts down Mullings and the Wolverines’ run game in a low-scoring affair, with Chiles guiding the Spartans into field-goal range for enough Jonathan Kim kicks to boot away a two-game losing streak to U-M. The pick: MSU 20, U-M 13.

Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press : That this game isn’t a clear runaway for Michigan shows both how far U-M has fallen and the step MSU has taken. U-M needs to win the turnover battle and time of possession and have the run game take it to a stout MSU front. MSU, though, feels like it can win even with a turnover or an issue in the run game, with an edge in special teams and coaching. The pick: MSU 22, U-M 19.

Michigan vs. Michigan State betting odds

Odds provided by BetMGM .

Michigan State schedule 2024

Michigan football schedule 2024

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