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Ranking the top 10 best Big Ten football rivalries

By Shane Lunnen

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: The Wisconsin Badgers hoist Paul Bunyan's Axe after winning the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: The Wisconsin Badgers hoist Paul Bunyan's Axe after winning the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Michigan vs. Michigan State

In-state rivalries are usually very heated. Only 65 miles separate Ann Arbor and East Lansing so when the Wolverines and Spartans meet for their annual battle, there is some intense hatred between the two teams.

The two schools first met in 1898 and have met nearly annually since. In 1950, the game became a conference battle when Michigan State entered the Big Ten. The 1953 game saw the introduction of the Paul Bunyan trophy to the victor of the intense rivalry.

There have been notable games throughout the years in this series. The 1990 season featured “No. 1 vs No One” as Wolverine fans called it in the lead up to the game in Ann Arbor. Michigan was ranked number one in the country, but would fall victim to a Spartan upset. The 2001 game came to be known as “Clockgate” for the controversial ending as seen in the above video.

Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio’s first taste of this rivalry came in 2007. The game saw the Wolverines come back from a 24-14 fourth quarter deficit to win 28-24. Michigan running back Mike Hart described Michigan State as “little brother” after the game. Since those comments, the Spartans have won the last eight of 11 games in the series.

Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh first year as head coach in 2015 featured one of the most wild endings ever to a college football game. On the last play of the game, Michigan punter Blake O’Neill had trouble with the snap and it was picked up by Michigan State’s Jalen Watts-Jackson who returned it for the game winning score. The Spartans did not have a lead in the game until the final play.

Michigan leads the series overall 70-36-5, but the trophy series is a little more even with the Wolverines leading 37-27-2. Do not expect the heat in this rivalry to be turned down any time soon.

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