A Rivalry Renewed: Ranking the Best Michigan vs. Michigan State Games Since 1990

Saturday, one of the fiercest rivalries in college sports renews.

There is no doubt that for one week a year, the state of Michigan is split down the middle. Half wearing green, the other wearing blue. Friends won't speak, and families can be divided. Social media outlets are filled with boasts, predictions and even guarantees for their team.

Spartan fans will be faced with being called "Little Brother," the phrase made famous by Mike Hart after the 2007 game, and Michigan fans have had over 1,000 days to listen to Spartan fans claim bragging rights across the state.

As fans build themselves into a frenzy that will unleash in Spartan Stadium, let's take a look at the memorable players and games in the Spartans and Wolverines rivalry since 1990.

Which game will be No. 1?

Agree? Disagree? Let's hear your thoughts.

No. 21: Nov. 2, 2002: Michigan 49-Michigan State 3

If "Clockgate" didn't give the Wolverines motivation heading into this rivalry game, the crushing 34-9 loss to Iowa guaranteed Michigan would come out swinging.

After an early Dave Rayner field goal, the Wolverines dominated both sides of the ball.

This game quickly became a laugher, as Michigan rattled off 49 consecutive points.

Michigan running back BJ Askew rushed for 149 yards and wide receiver Ronald Bellamy had five receptions for 124 yards, as the Spartans were without embattled quarterback Jeff Smoker.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 20: Oct. 10, 1992: Michigan 35-Michigan State 10

In a game that set the all time attendance record of 106,788 (before Michigan started setting the record every other game), Michigan didn't disappoint.

Sophomore Tyrone Wheatley ran for 172 yards and two touchdowns as the Wolverines scored the first 28 points of the game, and was capped off by a Derrick Alexander 80-yard punt return touchdown.

Perhaps the only highlight for the Spartans was that tight end Mitch Lyons surpassed Andre Rison as Michigan State's all time receptions leader.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 19: Oct. 12, 1991: Michigan 45-Michigan State 28

A powerful Michigan team led by future Heisman trophy winner Desmond Howard avenged the previous year's loss to the Spartans.

Michigan's Elvis Grbac connected with Howard for Michigan's first two touchdowns, and the Wolverines never looked back.

The Spartans attempted a second half rally that ultimately fell short

After a Jim Miller to Mill Coleman touchdown connection, the Spartans forced the Wolverines to punt. The Spartans were able to drive the ball to the 25-yard line, making plenty of Michigan fans to start thinking upset. Seconds later, the ball was on the turf and was scooped up by the men in blue.

Michigan drove the ball down the field for a touchdown and later increased their lead to 45-14 before the Spartans were able to muster two touchdowns during garbage time.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 18: Oct. 7, 2006: Michigan 31-Michigan State 13

For the Maize and Blue, the only significance of this game was that their national championship hopes remained intact.

Michigan drubbed the Spartans for the fifth straight season, as running back Mike Hart gained 122 yards and quarterback Chad Henne threw for three touchdowns, two of which were directed at Spartan-killer himself, Mario Manningham.

Spartan QB Drew Stanton did not throw for a touchdown, and the Michigan State offense could only muster 60 yards rushing for the game.

This loss would prove to be one of the final nails in the coffin for John L. Smith's coaching tenure.

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 17: Oct. 21, 2000: Michigan 14-Michigan State 0

For years, the Michigan/Michigan State game was decided by the team who could out-rush the other.

Y2K was no different.

A defensive battle was decided by the ground game once again, as the "A-Train," Anthony Thomas, rushed for 175 yards, 100 of which were by halftime.

After Michigan's opening drive touchdown, each team's defense settled in.

In the second half, with Michigan State threatening to score and tie the game, a fumble caused by Victor Hobson and Larry Foote quickly led to another Thomas touchdown and ultimately the game.

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 16: Oct. 9, 2010: Michigan State 34-Michigan 17

The Spartans extended their winning streak to three consecutive games (two straight at the Big House) with a convincing win over the Wolverines.

Michigan State were the first team all season to contain Denard Robinson and force him to stay in the pocket and beat the team with his arm. Needless to say, Robinson struggled and was forced into three interceptions.

Offensively, the Spartans were powered by their running game. Edwin Baker totaled 147 yards and L'Veon Bell added 78.

The 17-point differential was the largest for the Spartans since 1967.

Michigan State would use this victory to help catapult them to their first Big Ten title since 1990.

For Michigan, this defeat would add to the laundry list of things that resulted in the departure of coach Rich Rodriguez.

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 15: Nov. 2, 1996: Michigan 45-Michigan State 29

In a series usually depicted by rushing yards, the Michigan State Spartans had to believe they had the advantage heading into the big game.

Sedrick Irvin and Duane Goulbourn had racked up over 200 yards in each of the Spartan's previous five games.

Coming off of a win in 1995, Spartan fans truly believed that this would be the first time in 30 years Michigan State would produce back-to-back winners against the Wolverines.

However, Michigan's defense had other plans.

A tenacious Wolverine defence held the powerful Spartan running backs to only 98 yards and fumble on the ground.

When the Spartans adjusted to a passing attack,  the Maize and Blue intercepted four passes and capitalized on their own solid quarterback play.

Scott Dreisbach threw for four touchdowns as the Paul Bunyan trophy flip-flopped for the fourth consecutive year.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 14 Sept. 26, 1998: Michigan 29-Michigan State 17

After a disappointing start for both teams, the Michigan/Michigan State game was even more important than usual. A loss in this game not only meant the slow start continued, but also would result in an all-important conference loss.

The Spartans came into the game with confidence as they smashed Notre Dame, while Michigan looked very pedestrian in a loss to the Irish.

However, as we all know, records and past performances can be thrown out the window when these two teams tangle.

Anthony Thomas broke free for a 69-yard touchdown run, and a young quarterback by the name of Tom Brady (heard of him?) passed for 208 yards and a touchdown.

Lack of firepower and discipline ultimately doomed the green and white.

Michigan State countered with Sedrick Irvin's 107 yards, but Michigan State's offense could not get in sync and only totaled 268 yards for the game and racked up eight second half penalties.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 13: Oct. 9, 1993: Michigan State 17 Michigan 7

After two straight years of beat downs at the hands of the Wolverines, the Spartans finally broke through in a low scoring game.

The Michigan State defense was able to hold All-American running back Tyrone Wheatley to a measly 33 yards rushing.

Michigan had owned the series to this point, and this victory became only the second win at home for Sparty and company over the past 12 years in the series.

Brice Adams scored a touchdown, Jim Miller connected with Scott Greene for another score, and a 47-yard field goal from Bill Stoyanovich (all in the first half) would be more than enough to power the Spartans to a victory in the big game.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 12: Nov. 1, 2003: Michigan 27, Michigan State 20

Another matchup with big time implications pitted the ninth-ranked Spartans against the No. 11 Wolverines.

Michigan came into the game with a 4-1 Big Ten record, and MSU entered unscathed at 4-0 (the first time the Spartans had opened the conference slate 4-0 since 1966).

Once again, the running game decided this battle as Wolverine running back Chris Perry broke a school record with 51 rushing attemps as he steamrolled his way to 219 yards.

Michigan controlled the game throughout, but a Michigan fumble by QB John Navarre was scooped up by MSU defensive lineman Clifford Dukes and was returned 65 yards for the touchdown.

After a U of M punt, the Spartans had one last chance to score.

Jeff Smoker led the Spartans to midfield and had one final chance to win the game with a Hail Mary.

The pass deflected of a Spartan receiver and into the paws of a Wolverine, clinching yet another win in this fierce rivalry.

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 11: Oct. 3, 2009: Michigan State 26-Michigan 20, OT

In a game where the Spartans appeared to be in complete control, "Big Brother" almost stole another game away.

Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier led a furious comeback, as Michigan stormed back from a 14 point deficit in the final four minutes. A Roy Roundtree touchdown reception with :02 left in the game evened the score at 20.

Heading into overtime, the Wolverines seemed to have all the momentum. However, facing Spartan pressure, Forcier forced a pass into the Michigan State defense that was intercepted by Chris L. Rucker giving the Spartans possession.

On only their third play of overtime, freshman running back Larry Caper sprung loose and sprinted into the end zone, giving the Spartans their first back-to-back victories over Michigan since 1965-67.

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 10: Oct. 8, 1994: Michigan 40-Michigan State 20

This game ranks high because of the momentous occasion.

Former Michigan star and United States President Gerald Ford has his number retired in a ceremony before the game.

The Wolverines would use the emotion of the ceremony in the game.

Michigan was able to avenge the previous year's loss by getting back to the basics.

The Maize and Blue, powered by Tyrone Wheatley and Tim Biakabatuka, blew through the Spartans defense on their way to 349 rushing yards, marking the 26th straight game the winner was decided by the team with the most rushing yards.

This year's ground battle wasn't even close, as the Wolverine defense held the Spartans to just 17 yards.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 9: Oct. 1, 2005: Michigan 34-Michigan State 31, OT

It only took 37 years, but the Spartans did it.

They were favored in the game.

However, Mike Hart had a different plan, as the series experienced its first back-to-back overtime games.

Hart exploded for 218 yards and left the Spartans winless against their arch-rival for the fourth-straight year.

Michigan State's Drew Stanton both ran and threw for scores, and running back Jehuu Caulcrick added another score for MSU.

The Spartans' Domata Peko returned a Michigan fumble to tie the game at 31-31.

It wasn't enough.

Michigan had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Garret Rivas was unable to squeeze in his field goal try, and they headed to the extra session.

After the Spartans were unable to convert, Rivas got a chance at redemption and nailed his field goal, giving the Wolverines another victory.

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 8: Nov. 3, 2007: Michigan 28-Michigan State 24

"Little Brother" Game

Spartan fans hoped that five straight years of defeats at the hands of their hated rivals would finally come to an end.

With a 10 point lead in the fourth quarter and a spectacular field reversing run by Javon Ringer, Spartan Stadium was rocking, and fans across the state allowed themselves to truly believe they had begun a new era with new head coach Mark Dantonio.

That's when Michigan's Mike Hart started laughing (or so he says).

Down 24-14 with 7:40 remaining in the game, behind Hart's 110 yards rushing and a dagger from Chad Henne to Mario Manningham, the Wolverines scored twice in the final minutes to reign victorious once again.

However, the most dramatic thing happend in the locker room after the game.

During an interview asking Hart about how he felt being down 10 points with only a few minutes remaining, he replied with the quote that has refueled the fire for this rivalry.

He said, ""Sometimes, you get your little brother excited when you're playing basketball -- let them get the lead...And then you come back."

This quote (or some version of it) will be used by Michigan fans to describe the Spartans from now through eternity.

MSU coach Mark Dantonio represented Spartans everywhere when he said, "The pride comes before the fall."

Was Dantonio psychic?

After the 2007 loss, the Spartans have yet to lose to "Big Brother".

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 7: Oct. 25, 2008: Michigan State 35-Michigan 21

Little Brother's Revenge

A year of Mike Hart's comments finally boiled over in the Spartans' locker room, guiding the so-called "little brothers"  to knock "big brother" right on his butt.

Not only did the Spartans win, but they also won at a place had hadn't done so since 1990: the Big House.

Michigan State outgained the Wolverines 473-252 in total yards, and this game also ended a six-game losing streak for the Spartans.

Tied at 21-21 midway through the fourth quarter, Javon Ringer added to his already excellent performance (194 yards) with a three-yard touchdown run to take the lead for good.

Michigan looked overmatched throughout the game, but were able to keep it close until the end.

However, Steven Threet's inexperience came threw, and the Spartans defense exploited the Wolverines for three interceptions.

Little brothers no more, perhaps?

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 6: Oct. 9, 1999: Michigan State 34-Michigan 31

This matchup had all of the hype sports fans in the state of Michigan love.

Both teams came into the game nationally ranked and with perfect 5-0 records, the first time since 1961 this had happened.

The Spartan's lanky receiver Plaxico Burress had a career game, with 10 receptions totaling 255 yards.

Michigan State enjoyed a comfortable lead in the second half until Michigan benched (yes, benched) quarterback Tom Brady in favor of local boy Drew Henson.

Henson's comeback try ultimately fell short, as the Spartans rode this victory to a 10-win season, a top-10 national ranking and a Citrus Bowl win over mighty Florida.

Michigan suffered a hangover loss to Illinois the following week, but would ultimately have the final laugh, as they finished the season with an Orange Bowl triumph over Alabama.

A great game followed by great seasons for both programs.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 5: Oct. 25, 1997: Michigan 24-Michigan State 7

The Pick

Anyone who has followed these two teams knows about "the pick".

Charles Woodson's acrobatic one-handed interception off of Todd Schultz led to a Wolverine touchdown and a 14-point lead, and would be the highlight that cemented Woodson as a Heisman trophy frontrunner.

Woodson's interception (his second) was one of six Spartan passes to be intercepted by the nations best defense.

The Spartans attempted for the upset early, as Sedrick Irvin scored on a fake field goal to give MSU a 7-3 lead.

But those would be the only points they could muster.

Michigan would answer right back with a 95-yard scoring drive, which proved to be the deciding score.

We all know what would happen next. The Wolverines used this victory to steamroll through the rest season and would cap off their National Championship with a Rose Bowl victory over Washington State.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 4: Nov. 4, 1995: Michigan State 28-Michigan 25

As far as best games are concerned, the 1995 matchup definitely ranks high on the list.

Michigan State quarterback Tony Banks stole the show as the Spartans upset the No. 7 ranked Wolverines.

Michigan's Tim Biakabatuka set the tone early and finished the game with 37 rushes for 191 yards.

The game remained close throughout and would be decided in the final minutes.  

After a Brian Greise to Mercury Hayes touchdown gave the Wolverines the lead with only 3:38 remaining, Banks had one last chance to bring the Spartans back.

On the final drive, Banks would complete 8-of-10 passes and perhaps had some luck on his side as well.

On a critical down, Banks lofted a pass that would be tipped by U of M's Charles Woodson and fall directly into Derrick Mason's hands for a key first down.

The Spartan QB would total 318 yard through the air and make it two straight wins at home over the Wolverines.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives

No. 3: Nov. 3, 2001: Michigan State 26-Michigan 24

The Clock Game

One of the all-time classics in this series ended with plenty of controversy.

A game that went back and forth ultimately came down to the final drive.

The Spartans had forced the Wolverines to punt from deep in their own territory and began their drive in Michigan territory after a terrible Hayden Epstein kick placed the ball at the 44-yard line.

After MSU quarterback Jeff Smoker was sacked on first and second down (two of a school record 12 for Michigan) and an incompletion on third down, the Spartans faced a fourth and 16. Smoker dropped back and his pass fell to the ground.

But there was a flag.

Michigan's Jeremy LeSueur was penalized for a facemask on the Spartan's Charles Rogers.

On first down, Smoker was sacked again, but another penalty, this time for 12 men on the field, erased the play.

On fourth-and-four at the Michigan 11 and time winding down, Smoker connected with running back T.J. Duckett for an eight-yard gain.

After an incompletion on first down, Smoker dropped back to pass. With no one open he scrambled towards the end zone. He was stopped two yards short of the goal line.

With time inching towards zero, the Spartans frantically lined up to spike the ball and stop the clock.

That final second, so close to a Michigan victory, was stopped with what must have been only thousandths of a second remaining.

Nevertheless, the Spartans had one down final down and utilized their opportunity well.

Smoker found Duckett alone in the end zone, and the celebration began in East Lansing.

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 2: Oct. 30, 2004: Michigan 45-Michigan State 37

This was a game that Spartan fans dream of.

The men in green and white were moving the ball on offense and getting important stops on defense. 

Mike Hart was attempting to carry the Wolverines, leading the way with 33 carries and 224 yards, but the scoreboard seemed to disagree with the maize and blue.  

Michigan State poised itself for a giant upset as Michigan took possession, trailing 27-10 and only 8:43 on the clock.

This stressful situation would have been perfect time for the Wolverines to panic.

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards must not have gotten the memo.

Edwards' spectacular fourth quarter play helped the Wolverines charge back and tie the game at the end of regulation.

Heading into overtime, the momentum was decidedly on the Wolverines side, but the Spartans hung tough through the first two extra periods.

That's when Edwards showed the country why he was an NFL first round draft pick.

The third overtime saw the Wolverines facing a third-and-nine from the Spartan 24. Not wanting to settle for a field goal, freshman Chad Henne heaved a pass into the end zone, and Edwards snatched the ball out of the defender's hands to give Michigan the lead and ultimately the victory.

Information gathered from: www.espn.com

No. 1: Oct. 13, 1990: Michigan State 28 Michigan 27

No. 1 Vs. No One

Anytime a team is ranked first in the nation, it is the ultimate goal of their arch rival to ruin that season.

The fall of 1990 was no different.

A loaded Michigan team was poised to give Ann Arbor their first national championship since 1948.

Fortunately for the Spartans, their team wasn't half bad either.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the game was tied at 14-14.

Michigan State's Hyland Hickson broke through the Michigan defence to score a 26-yard touchdown run to take the lead with 6:03 remaining.

Spartan fans rejoiced.

Well, until the ensuing kickoff.

All-American Desmond Howard returned the kick 95 yards to tie the game.

Michigan State was resilient and put together a 70-yard drive that was capped off by a 9-yard Tico Duckett touchdown run that left only 1:59 on the clock.

Howard was unable to take the next kick back, but Michigan effectively drove the length of the field.

With only :06 remaining, QB Elvis Grbac found Derrick Alexander for a touchdown.

Not wanting to tie their rivals, first year head coach Gary Moeller decided to go for the two-point conversion and the win.

On the deciding play, Grbac's pass fell incomplete as Desmond Howard "slipped" and was unable to catch the pass.

Michigan fans will argue that Howard was the victim of holding or pass interference, while Spartans fans see it that the slick-footed Howard couldn't keep his balance.

The controversy has continued now 20 years later and will never be decided.

This game is definitely No. 1 on the list of Michigan/Michigan State rivalry games.

Penalty? No Penalty?

What do you think about the list?

Comment below.

Information gathered from: www.latimes.com/archives