Ranking college football’s 5 best rivalries since 2010

JaTarvious Whitlow of Auburn tackled by a host of Alabama football defenders (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
JaTarvious Whitlow of Auburn tackled by a host of Alabama football defenders (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

2. Michigan State vs. Michigan

  • 2010: No. 17 Michigan State 34, Michigan 17
  • 2011: No. 23 Michigan State 28, Michigan 14
  • 2012: No. 23 Michigan 12, Michigan State 10
  • 2013: No. 22 Michigan State 29, Michigan 6
  • 2014: No. 8 Michigan State 35, Michigan 11
  • 2015: No. 7 Michigan State 27, Michigan 23
  • 2016: No. 2 Michigan 32, Michigan State 23
  • 2017: Michigan State 14, Michigan 10
  • 2018: No. 6 Michigan 21, Michigan State 7
  • 2019: No. 15 Michigan 44, Michigan State 10

The 10-year record:

  • Michigan State: 6-4
  • Michigan: 4-6

The five-year record:

  • Michigan State: 2-3
  • Michigan: 3-2

The biggest margin of victory for each school: 

  • Michigan State: 24 points (2014)
  • Michigan: 34 points (2019)

The number of games between the two schools of the rivalry that went into overtime and/or was determined by four or fewer points: Games that were determined by four or fewer points occurred in 2010, 2015 and 2017. No games went into overtime.

The number of times both teams were ranked in the top 25 when they faced off against one another: Both ranked outside the top 10 but both ranked in the top 25 five times in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018.

Rivalry nickname: “The Battle for Paul Bunyan”

Best game of the rivalry: 2015

Notable coaches: Mark Dantonio and Jim Harbaugh

More information about the Michigan State and Michigan rivalry: Interesting and historical facts can be found here

Michigan State vs. Michigan point breakdown

  • 8 points for 10-year record of the rivalry
  • 5 points for five-year record of the rivalry
  • 12 points for three games being determined by four or fewer points
  • 0 points for both teams being ranked in the top 10
  • 25 points for both teams being ranked in the top 25

Total points: 50