Michigan State reclaims Paul Bunyan Trophy in 15-6 upset of Michigan

Michigan State reclaimed the Paul Bunyan Trophy with a 15-6 win over Michigan on Saturday, snapping a four-game losing streak in the rivalry, ClickOnDetroit reported.

Michigan managed 78 total yards in the first half. Freshman quarterback Tommy Carr threw two interceptions. The Wolverines fell to 5-4, while Michigan State improved to 3-6.

Spartans kicker Llam Boyd drilled five field goals. MLive reported that Michigan State’s defense controlled the line of scrimmage all afternoon, holding Michigan to 2.3 yards per carry.

The Lansing State Journal noted that Michigan State entered the game with just two wins and had lost four straight to Michigan. The trophy had not been in East Lansing since 2021.

What the coverage missed

The story is not that Michigan State won. The story is how bad Michigan looked. The Wolverines had 78 yards in the first half against a team that had won two games all season. Carr threw two picks. The running game disappeared.

Michigan is now 5-4 and needs a win in one of its final two games to reach bowl eligibility. The Wolverines play Ohio State and Oregon to close the season. Both are ranked. Michigan could miss a bowl game for the first time since 2020.

The coverage treated this as a rivalry upset. It is more than that. Michigan’s offense has been in decline since the start of conference play. The Wolverines have not scored more than 24 points in a Big Ten game this season.

What I think

Michigan is in trouble. The defending national champions lost their quarterback, their coach, and most of their offensive line to the NFL, and the rebuild has not taken. Carr is a freshman who is not ready, and the running game cannot carry him.

Michigan State got its moment. Boyd kicked five field goals and the defense showed up. But the Spartans are 3-6. This was Michigan’s loss, not Michigan State’s win.