The Zeitgeist List · rivalries
Land Grant Trophy
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →1 player crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →
Penn State leads the all-time series 20–18–1. They've met 39 times since 1914. Penn State has won the last 3.
Stature & the series, 1914–2025
Both programs’ standing over time in their colors, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won.
all-time
18–20–1
Penn State leads
streak
3
Penn State in a row
longest run
5
Michigan State
biggest win
54
Penn State, 2002
first met
1914
39 meetings
biggest crowd
106,685
2018
The coaching duels
Mark Dantonio vs James Franklin4–2
Nick Saban vs Joe Paterno2–3
John Smith vs Joe Paterno1–3
Mark Dantonio vs Joe Paterno2–2
Mel Tucker vs James Franklin1–3
Bobby Williams vs Joe Paterno0–3
The draft ledger
Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.
draft picks
154–258
Penn State leads
1st-rounders
24–40
since
1967
first CFBD-carried draft class
1960s10–8
1970s21–45
1980s22–48
1990s29–33
2000s32–38
2010s27–40
2020s13–46
Best picks, either side
1967Bubba Smith Defensive EndRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1995Ki-Jana Carter Running BackRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
2000Courtney Brown Defensive EndRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1967Clinton Jones Running BackRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1989Tony Mandarich Offensive TackleRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
2003Charles Rogers Wide ReceiverRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1990Blair Thomas Running BackRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
Recent meetings
2025Penn State28–10
2023Penn State42–0
2022Penn State35–16
2021Michigan State30–27
2020Penn State39–24
2019Penn State28–7
2018Michigan State21–17
2017Michigan State27–24
2016Penn State45–12
2015Michigan State55–16
2014Michigan State34–10
2010Michigan State28–22
2009Penn State42–14
2008Penn State49–18