About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The in-state rivalry pitting Michigan football vs. Michigan State is not for the faint of heart. It's more physical than most, and more chippy. In fact, there almost always seems to be some in-game (or postgame) shenanigans between the Wolverines and Spartans .
But it's something that Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill can't wait to be a part of.
Hill has played in three iterations of the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, having not been a part of the travel party in 2023, but having played in the past three. He says that this game stands apart, because there's a different intensity to it than some others.
"Man, violent game, all four quarters," Hill said. "I'll be ready to go. See it right there, violent. Brotherhood, ready to play for your brothers, all four quarters."
Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) tries to block Oakland guard Nassim Mashhour (0) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) dribbles against Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan forward Jalen Reed (19) makes a layup against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) dunks against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) makes a jump shot against Oakland forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan head coach Mike Boynton Jr. watches a play against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) steals the ball from Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) passes the ball against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) dribbles against Oakland forward Camden Thompson (6) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan forward Quinn Costello (8) makes a jump shot against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) makes a jump shot against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan forward Oscar Goodman (12) makes a layup against Oakland forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oakland head coach Greg Kampe reacts to a play against the Michigan during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Nov 2, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Richard "Rip" Hamilton formerly of the Detroit Pistons looks on from courtside of the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Oakland Golden Grizzlies during the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images (Brian Bradshaw Sevald, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) looks to pass against Oakland guard RJ Taylor (10) and forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) goes to the basket against Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 1 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) tries to block Oakland guard Nassim Mashhour (0) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 1 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) tries to block Oakland guard Nassim Mashhour (0) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 2 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) dribbles against Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 3 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan forward Jalen Reed (19) makes a layup against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 4 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) dunks against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 5 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) makes a jump shot against Oakland forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 6 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan head coach Mike Boynton Jr. watches a play against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 7 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) steals the ball from Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 8 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) passes the ball against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 9 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) dribbles against Oakland forward Camden Thompson (6) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 10 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan forward Quinn Costello (8) makes a jump shot against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 11 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) makes a jump shot against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 12 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan forward Oscar Goodman (12) makes a layup against Oakland forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 13 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Oakland head coach Greg Kampe reacts to a play against the Michigan during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 14 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Nov 2, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Richard "Rip" Hamilton formerly of the Detroit Pistons looks on from courtside of the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Oakland Golden Grizzlies during the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images (Brian Bradshaw Sevald, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 15 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) looks to pass against Oakland guard RJ Taylor (10) and forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 16 / 16 Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) goes to the basket against Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) What makes it violent in Hill's eyes? He says that there's an honest hatred between the two teams, and that because of that, there can be some -- extracurriculars.
"Man, I feel like everybody's just mad at each other," Hill said. "You got some players might do something after the play, some try to get in your head. You've got to be real poised into the game, real dialed in. You can't get out your zone."
Michigan is preparing for that aspect, and is not looking to retaliate, but also wants to ensure that they have their brothers' backs.
But there have been questions about head coach Kyle Whittingham, given this is his introduction to the rivalry. It had seemed initially as if he was downplaying it -- much like he appeared to do with Ohio State. But Hill -- who's played under Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore before Hill -- says that he has liked Whittingham's approach thus far.
"He knows what he's doing," Hill said. "Like I said, he's real. It's like he's been here. So he did some history. He did some work on his game. So he knows what time it is."
For now, Hill is just excited to get out there. He's looking forward to the enhanced physicality, noting that it does happen for receivers and cornerbacks as well, and he is ready to take his game up a notch.
"Oh, yeah. I'm ready for that," Hill said. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ready to twist some helmets. Yeah, I'm ready."
Kickoff is at 7:40 p.m. EST on Saturday, with the game set to be streamed on Peacock.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan CB Jyaire Hill calls Michigan State rivalry a 'violent game'
Source: Sports
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