Harbaugh spent nine seasons at Michigan, and oversaw one of the most contentious periods of the Michigan State vs. Michigan rivalry in it’s history, a more ugly chapter of the rivalry that included tunnel brawls, lawsuits, suspensions, and a lot of bad blood.
After two down seasons from Michigan State, and two of the best seasons in the modern era for Michigan, Harbaugh was able to pull ahead and leave his position with a winning record against the Spartans, but just barely.
Below, you can see the year-by-year results Harbaugh’s Michigan teams had against Michigan State.
2015
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) dives into the end zone for a game winning touchdown as the clock runs out in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Winning Team: Michigan State
Score: 27-23
Harbaugh’s record vs. MSU: 0-1
2016
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 29: Malik McDowell #4 of the Michigan State Spartans sits on the bench late in the fourth quarter during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 32-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Winning Team: Michigan
Score: 32-23
Harbaugh’s record vs. MSU: 1-1
2017
Oct 7, 2017; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans celebrate a win after a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports against the Michigan State Spartans
Winning Team: Michigan State
Score: 14-10
Harbaugh’s record vs. MSU: 1-2
2018
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass during the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Winning Team: Michigan
Score: 21-7
Harbaugh’s record vs. MSU: 2-2
2019
ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 16: Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines makes the stop on Elijah Collins #24 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second quarter of the game at Michigan Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 40-10. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Winning Team: Michigan
Score: 44-10
Harbaugh’s record vs. MSU: 3-2
2020
Michigan State’s Ricky White, left, catches a pass as Michigan’s Vincent Gray defends during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.201031 Msu Um 132a
Winning Team: Michigan State
Score: 27-24
Harbaugh’s record vs. MSU: 3-3
2021
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 30: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans scores a first half touchdown in front of Vincent Gray #4 of the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Winning Team: Michigan State
Score: 37-33
Harbaugh’s record vs. MSU: 3-4
2022
Sep 3, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara (12) passes in the second half against the Colorado State Rams at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Winning Team: Michigan
Score: 29-7
Harbaugh’s record vs. MSU: 4-4
2023
Oct 21, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Katin Houser (12) pitches the ball to a running back in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Winning Team: Michigan
Score: 49-0
Harbaugh’s record vs. MSU: -54
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
