Big Ten Football: Five most anticipated games of 2015 season

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) runs the ball against Michigan Wolverines defensive back Delano Hill (44) during the first quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

The battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy is bound to get extra heated this season with former Wolverines great Jim Harbaugh taking over head coaching duties at Michigan. The Spartans have had their way with the Wolverines since MSU head coach Mark Dantonio arrived, winning six of the last seven games and holding Michigan to a combined 17 points in the past two meetings.

While Michigan is expected to be an improved squad this year, it’s the Spartans that most analysts suggest will be in the mix for the Big Ten crown and more. Expect that to be a motivational tool used by Harbaugh in the UM locker room. That said, the Spartans will have their own chips on their shoulders after watching Michigan claim headline after headline this off-season for the Harbaugh hire.

Last season, Wolverines linebacker Joe Bolden planted a stake in Spartan Stadium, which prompted Dantonio to pile on another score with just 28 seconds left in the game. When asked why he added the final touchdown, Dantonio replied, “It just felt like we needed to put a stake in them at that point.”

Even if this game is only as competitive as last season’s 35-11 win, you can bet there will still be some theatrics.

Next: Ohio State at Michigan