ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- His team has played one of the nation's toughest schedules. Still, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr is certain that no game will be tougher so far than Saturday's meeting against Michigan State.

"Playing Michigan State is a different deal," Carr said Monday.

	The lanky Plaxico Burress reminds many of Randy Moss.

That will be especially true this time. Both teams have perfect records for the first time since 1961. That year, both teams were 2-0 before the Spartans beat Michigan 28-0 at Ann Arbor.

This time, both teams are 5-0 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten. Michigan is ranked No. 3, the Spartans are No. 11.

"In this rivalry, I don't think it matters what the records are," Carr said. "But, for the state of Michigan, I think it's exciting that both teams are undefeated.

"When you have two undefeated teams, the stakes are higher. The Big Ten race will be impacted, and it has some national implications. So, it's almost impossible for anyone watching this game not to be involved emotionally."

Carr recalled his first experience in Spartan Stadium. It was 1969 and he was an assistant coach at Detroit Nativity High School. But he had a friend who was a graduate assistant on Bo Schembechler's staff, so Carr was standing by the tunnel when both teams took the field.

"I had never seen two teams that were so emotional," Carr said. "You can't believe the noise when the teams take the field. There's just no way to prepare a young player for that. They have to go there and experience it for themselves."

Carr also recalled that the Spartans changed their offense for that game, either going from the wishbone to the I-formation, or vice versa.

"Bo told this story for years," Carr said. "Jim Young, the defensive coordinator, passed out."

Michigan State won that game, 23-12, but the Wolverines recovered and went on to tie for the Big Ten championship, earning a trip to the Rose Bowl.

"I think both teams put so much into these games that it's always a difficult loss," Carr said. "But, if you lose, you'd better get over it.

"Because, if you lose, you're still not out of the Big Ten race. There is still a lot of football to be played after this game."

Carr was careful not to say anything inflammatory about the Spartans.

Still, he was honest when asked about the Paul Bunyan Trophy, which has gone to the winner of this game since 1953. The 4-foot wooden statue of the mythical lumberjack was donated by then-Gov. G. Mennen Williams. Bunyan is astride an axe with feet planted on a map of the state. Two flags, one with an "M" and the other with an "S," are planted on either side.

"It's the ugliest trophy in college football," Carr said, smiling. "But it means a lot if you lose it."

Michigan holds a 60-26-5 advantage in the series, and is 27-17-2 since the trophy has been awarded. Michigan has won the last three games.