Michigan Football Rivalries: A Look Into The Greatest

Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) celebrates a defensive play during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

There is no rivalry quite like a sibling rivalry. Some people will want examples and for those people: the “Har-bowl,” the Mannings, and, the best sibling rivalry in all of football, the Barbers. In a sibling rivalry sometimes the parents have to let some things go. In this case I mean the refs.

Michigan State has been looked at as “little brother” long before the Mike Hart statement. Hart’s statement had some solidity to them though. Dantonio did not like the sentiment Hart was giving. Dantonio said, “It’s not over, it’s never going to be over. I’ll be here for a long time.”

Nov 2, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Micajah Reynolds (60) raises the Paul Bunyan trophy after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Spartans beat the Wolverines 29-6. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

He was right. After Mike Hart lit that fire, it has yet to be extinguished. Michigan State isn’t just the little brother you can push around anymore; they are fighting back, and worst, they’re winning.

Sparty will forever be a rivalry worth talking about. Between the two teams 17 national titles are claimed. Out of 107 meetings, Michigan leads Sparty 68-34-5. This isn’t ever a cake walk game. Sparty always puts up a great fight. Dantonio has done things most only dream of, and that’s made little brother a threat.

Not just to big brother, but the whole nation.

Paul Bunyan is the trophy these two play for—more accurately The Paul Bunyan-Governor of Michigan trophy. Paul Bunyan was chosen to represent Michigan’s history as a major lumber-producing state. It fits appropriately since both of these teams know how to “lay the wood” on opposing offenses. (That was corny, I know.)

This game is always good, no matter what. I know I called for a Michigan shutout in our predictions, but that may not happen. When it comes to brothers fighting these two may very well do the best, and they always get their hits on.

Last year Joe Bolden staked the middle of the Spartans field as if to claim it for his own. Don’t be surprised to possibly see some retaliation this year from Sparty. They have been dominating the last decade and have a right to be a little confident.

Michigan needs to back up everything on the field and not get complacent, because we’ve seen where that gets people.

Next: Ohio State