College Football: 20 best rivalry games to watch in 2018

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 07: Michigan Wolverines running back Karan Higdon (22) is gang tackled for a loss by Michigan State Spartans safety David Dowell (6) during the Michigan Wolverines versus Michigan State Spartans game on Saturday October 7, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

8. Michigan vs. Michigan State

Big Ten football every year is highlighted by another chapter in the Michigan/Michigan State rivalry. While these two teams have been battling each other for state supremacy since 1898, the trophy of this game was not introduced until 1953. The Paul Bunyan trophy, named after the famous lumberjack, makes this rivalry a true game for the state of Michigan.

Plenty of matchups have given fans to talk about for years.

The 2001 game became known as “Clockgate”. With less than three minutes to play, the Spartans started a drive at midfield trailing 24–20. Michigan then committed back-to-back penalties giving the Spartans a better chance to win. Quarterback Jeff Smoker tried to score on a rushing touchdown but was stopped just before he reached the end zone. He was able to rush to the line and spike the ball with one second left. On the last play, Smoker threw a touchdown pass to T.J. Duckett to win the game 26–24. Michigan argued the clock should have run out before the spike happened, but since it was played in East Lansing, the Wolverines felt home field advantage played a factor.

The 2015 game is one of the more recent matchups fans will never forget. In Jim Harbaugh’s first year, Michigan was ranked number 12 in the country by this point and was looking to hand Michigan State their first loss of the season. Late in the game, with the Wolverines up 23-21, Michigan State drove into field goal range. A sack pushed them outside the 40 and then they failed to convert on fourth down. Michigan appeared to have this one won.

However, with 10 seconds left, Michigan was faced with a fourth down and short and decided to punt. With heavy pressure coming up the middle, the Wolverine’s long snapper quickly snapped the ball low and the punter bobbled it. Jalen Watts-Jackson took the ball and ran it 38 yards back for the game-winning touchdown, securing a 27-23 victory.

While Michigan leads the all-time series 69-36-5, Michigan State has won eight of the last ten. Harbaugh was brought back to his alma mater to return them to National Championship prominence, but being state champion matters just as much. This will be one of the best Big Ten conference games to watch in 2018.