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Spartans' History of Ruining Irish Dreams
15 Sep
Summary
- Michigan State has a history of upsetting Notre Dame.
- The rivals have met 79 times, with Notre Dame leading the series.
- Recent matchups have been split, with Michigan State winning five straight from 1997-2001.
Old rivals Notre Dame and Michigan State are set to face off for the 80th time on Saturday night in South Bend. Notre Dame, ranked No. 3 nationally, holds a 49-29-1 all-time advantage over the Spartans. However, recent history reveals a more competitive landscape, with both teams splitting the last 22 meetings since 1992, each winning 11 games. A particularly notable stretch saw Michigan State win five consecutive games against Notre Dame between 1997 and 2001.
Michigan State's history of upsetting Notre Dame is well-documented. In 1997, under Nick Saban, the Spartans defeated Notre Dame 23-7. This trend continued through the early 2000s, with Michigan State securing multiple victories, including a 17-10 win in 2001 and a 44-41 upset in 2005, which included a memorable post-game act of defiance. Even Northwestern, coached by Pat Fitzgerald, has previously upset Notre Dame, highlighting a pattern of unexpected outcomes in this series.
While Notre Dame is a significant favorite for Saturday's game, historical context suggests the contest may be closer than anticipated. Despite a large point spread, Michigan State's defense has shown vulnerability, allowing significant plays in a recent victory. Common sense points to a Notre Dame win, but the past indicates a potential for a hard-fought battle.
