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Kyle Whittingham discusses ‘intense,’ ‘nasty’ Michigan-MSU rivalry

Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham framed Saturday’s 119th Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy as a defining clash between two programs with deep-seated animosity. The rivalry, one of college football’s most heated, has only intensified in recent years, marked by incidents like the 2018 Spartans-logo stomping by former Wolverines linebacker Devin Bush and the 2022 tunnel altercation.

Whittingham acknowledged the rivalry’s ‘nastiness,’ calling it a game where ‘both teams can throw out the records’ and focus solely on the moment. With Michigan holding a 75-38-5 all-time edge—including four straight wins—this matchup carries extra weight for the Spartans, who sit last in the Big Ten and need a victory to salvage their season.

Whittingham plans to immerse his roster, many of whom face Michigan State for the first time, in the rivalry’s history through sessions with former Wolverines players, emphasizing its significance beyond bragging rights and the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

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