Michigan State at Michigan: How to Watch and Previewing the In-State Football Rivalry

WHO: Michigan State Spartans (2-6, 0-5) at Michigan Wolverines (5-3, 2-3)

WHERE: The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan

WHEN: November 7 at 7:30 p.m. EST

WATCH: Peacock

Both teams enter the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy on more sour notes than sweet. The Spartans are riding a six-game losing streak after winning their first two games of the Pat Fitzgerald era. Michigan State has dropped all five conference games, but its biggest foe all season has been the injury bug, which has nearly cleared out the Spartans' starting lineup, leaving a bare-bones crew to keep the season afloat.

Michigan won its first three games, although one of those victories is still up for debate as to whether the Wolverines actually won or not. Since then, Michigan has dropped three of its last five games as the Bryce Underwood experiment may have worn too thin. Underwood was benched a game and a half ago, and since then, Tommy Carr has looked more competent. Now, both teams are looking to earn a massive win for their respective programs.

Michigan has won the previous four matchups between the two teams. The last two meetings, though, were closer than many might remember, as Jonathan Smith had the Spartans ready to compete both years but could never get the win. Now, it's Pat Fitzgerald's turn to see how fired up he can get the Spartans for their biggest rivalry game of the season.

This game brings the extra passion and intensity that you love to see in college football. Players aren't just playing for a win in the standings; they're playing for pride in themselves and their school.

The trash talk between these two schools is insane. The same recycled jabs get thrown around year after year, getting the same recycled laughs from friends every time. This year, the trash talk and tailgating may get a little more intense with the game starting late, giving ample time for anyone and everyone to get buckled up and ready for a dogfight. Hopefully, all the fights stay on the field and in the form of a football game, but you just never know when these two teams get together.

For Michigan State, a win would be more than sublime. Not only would it mark the first conference victory for MSU under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, but it could also be the moment when things finally start coming together.

Not long ago, it looked like Michigan State was on the verge of breaking through and finding its way back into the win column. The Spartans lost on the final play against Illinois in overtime after failing to convert a two-point attempt. The following week, Michigan State lost on almost the final play after having its own field goal blocked with a minute remaining. That allowed then-No. 25 Northwestern to drive down the field and kick its own game-winning field goal.

Unfortunately, that game continued the string of injuries that have plagued the Spartans all season. This time, it was starting quarterback Alessio Milivojevic who was too shaken up to play the following week, leaving freshman Kayd Coffman to start against a top-10 UCLA team. Without their starting quarterback, the Spartans regressed to the form they showed against Nebraska and Wisconsin.

If Milivojevic can return to the field, the Spartans could put up more of a fight than we've seen all season, perhaps even more than they did against Northwestern.

The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry just means more in Ann Arbor and East Lansing, and this year's meeting is sure to bring plenty of intensity. It's going to be a battle from start to finish.

Make sure you tune in to Peacock on November 7 at 7:30 p.m. EST to watch these in-state rivals clash for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.