The decade began with Michigan State winning back-to-back games against Michigan.
The last four rivalry matchups since have gone to the Wolverines, who are favored by nearly two touchdowns to retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy in a game lacking buzz on both sides.
Michigan State (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) has lost six straight under first-year coach Pat Fitzgerald, who will take an injury-ravaged squad to Ann Arbor on Saturday (7:30 p.m., Peacock). Michigan (5-3, 2-3) has dealt with its own shortcomings in coach Kyle Whittingham’s debut leading the program but its trio of losses are by a combined 14 points, including a 13-6 overtime defeat to defending national champion Indiana.