MSU Faces Michigan After Six Straight Losses
Michigan State's offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan says the Spartans need more effort and physicality before their Saturday rivalry game.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
Michigan State, 2-6 overall and 0-5 in Big Ten play, enters its Paul Bunyan Trophy matchup at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. after a bye week and a sixth consecutive loss.
Why it matters
Michigan State's rushing-based offense and sack vulnerability are central to the matchup, since the team with more rushing yards has won 49 of the last 56 meetings for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Michigan State's offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan has identified effort and physicality as the areas most in need of improvement.
Michigan State has allowed the second-most sacks in the Big Ten, averaging three per game, and in 2025 the matchup totaled 409 rushing yards, 294 of them from Michigan. The official injury report due Wednesday will clarify Milivojevic's availability, though his status remains unconfirmed.
The players
Nick Sheridan
Michigan State's offensive coordinator in his first season in that role, Sheridan previously started four games at quarterback for Michigan after walking on as a quarterback.
Bill Sheridan
Nick Sheridan's father, who spent three seasons as Michigan State's linebackers coach when his son was between ages 10 and 12.
Alessio Milivojevic
Michigan State's quarterback, whose absence from consecutive media availabilities has made his status for Saturday a key question.
The details
Michigan State's coaching staff used the bye week to reevaluate its approach after six straight losses. Nick Sheridan, in his first season as offensive coordinator, said the team must improve effort and physicality before facing Michigan.
Timeline
Bye week: Michigan State reevaluated its approach following its sixth consecutive loss.
Wednesday: The official injury report is scheduled for release.
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: Michigan State plays Michigan at Michigan Stadium.
Season Trajectory
The Paul Bunyan Trophy has historically favored the team that wins the rushing battle, with that team winning 49 of the last 56 meetings. For Michigan State, a winless Big Ten start puts the rivalry game in the context of a season that has slipped badly from contention.
The Paul Bunyan Trophy matchup is decided in part by the rushing battle, which fantasy and betting followers should track closely. Michigan State's sack vulnerability and Milivojevic's uncertain status shape how the game may unfold on Saturday.
The takeaway
Michigan State's chances in the Paul Bunyan Trophy depend heavily on winning the rushing battle and protecting the quarterback, two areas the team has struggled to control this season.
What happens next
The official Michigan State injury report will be released Wednesday, and the Spartans play Michigan at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Further reading
Find more East Lansing football coverage on Michigan State's season and upcoming schedule.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The State News.
