The heated in-state rivalry matchup between Michigan State and Michigan takes place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time (Big Ten Network). The Paul Bunyan Trophy is on the line.

Michigan State comes into the game with a 4-3 overall record and 2-2 mark in Big Ten play. Michigan enters Saturday with an identical record, but the two teams have been going in different directions. MSU is coming off of a big win over Iowa, while U-M has dropped two-straight conference games.

The Wolverines have won the past two contests in the series, but the Spartans have a chance to end that streak this weekend.

Spartans Illustrated spoke with Brock Heilig, beat writer for Maize & Blue Review — the home for all things Michigan on Rivals — to gain more insights about the 2024 Wolverines.

What has gone wrong for Michigan this year? While the offensive struggles have been obvious, has the defense also taken a step back? How should U-M head coach Sherrone Moore be graded thus far? Brock answers these questions and more here:

Joe Rossi:

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Cal Haladay:

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Everyone here knows what week it is.

When I start to prepare for one of the two pieces recurring pieces that I do each week, the theme that I go with sometimes will not come to me until a few hours before I start typing. Other times I skip my "cold open op/ed" section until later.

But this week, the phrase "The Emperor's New Clothes" as it pertains to our friends from Ann Arbor came to me weeks ago. Both the children's fairy tale and the 1990 song of the same name from Sinead O'Connor just fit perfectly with my current feelings on the Wolverines and the current trajectory of 2024 season.

I also have enjoyed flexing some of my GenX, 90s alternative music knowledge over the past few weeks. Sorry (Not sorry.)

Anyway, let's keep the hate train moving with this week's episode of Bad Betting Advice:

"Coach Smith puts trust in his guys and it shows on the field that the players trust him as well."

2026 EDGE Nick Abrams II spoke highly of the Spartans on his debut visit to MSU this past weekend and is eager to learn more about the program.

STORY:

Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers legend who sparked ‘Fernandomania,’ dead at 63​

“Fernando Valenzuela was one of the most impactful players of his generation,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement on Tuesday night. “With his distinctive pitching style, the Dodgers left-hander’s rookie season generated so much excitement in the U.S. and his native Mexico that it became commonly referred to as ‘Fernandomania.’ His 1981 season ranks among the most decorated pitching years of all-time as Fernando was the National League Rookie of the Year, the NL Cy Young Award winner, a Silver Slugger and a World Series champion.

“He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” Stan Kasten, team president and CEO, said in a statement. “He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon.”

Please join us in welcoming Jonah and Abby to Spartans Illustrated. We think you'll enjoy their down-to-earth Spartan fandom podcast. It's fun, refreshing, and intriguing - and is likely going to become one of your weekly destinations for Spartan sports.

Read their story and check out their most recent episode in the article below: