Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

Spartan fans under the age of 50 probably don’t remember the 1966 game between #1 Notre Dame and #2 Michigan State, and might not know why it’s a big deal around East Lansing as the Fighting Irish come to town on Saturday.

The “Game of the Century” opened with the Spartans rolling out to a 10-0 lead, before Notre Dame rallied to tie it. Late in the contest, Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian had the ball at his own 30-yard line but elected to run the clock out and force a tie, since the Irish still had one more game (against Southern California) on their schedule. Parseghian and Notre Dame won that matchup 51-0, claiming a national championship in the process.
The matchup between #1 and #2, the tie, and the controversy behind Parseghian’s strategy all contributed to make that game the classic of classics. I sat there after the game along with many, many fans ND as well as MSU and we all felt like someone died.
The game between No. 1-ranked Notre Dame and No. 2 MSU on Nov. 19, 1966 may not have been the greatest game ever played, and yet its claim to the title, the “Game of the Century,” has gone largely unchallenged.
This game opened up the modern era of NCAA football. It was prophetic, in a sense, because it showed what was eventually going to come about, and the fighting spirit of that game helped accelerate it.
In 1966 Notre Dame, a Catholic institution had only one black player, and Michigan State was just the opposite, the state school with so many black athletes. At the same time, the schools in the South were still segregated.
Notre Dame emerged from its season-ending domination of Southern California as the national champion so-named by the two major polls, but MSU still lays claim to a national title based on the decision of four other recognized selectors.

Consider the emotion of this game. In MSU's eyes if we beat noone, we beat ND. A lot like the Browns If we beat noone we beat the Steelers!~ LOL MSU leads the series but typically ND beats us on our turf and we beat them on their turf. Again I said "typically" who knows what will happen Saturday night?

Re: Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

Thanks for the write-up! I've been reading a lot about that game lately. Notre Dame beating USC 51-0 sounds more like a parallel universe than fourty years ago to me!

The rivalry with Michigan St. is still very much alive though. Notre Dame actually leads the series 43-25-1, but Michigan St. has won more games at Notre Dame than any other team.

Re: Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

Didn't MSU plant their flag on ND's 50yd line after the game the last time they played?

Re: Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

I think I remember something about that.

ND pulled off another come from behind win today. Say what you want about Notre Dame they seem to come from behind to win more then any other big time college team I can think of. You're never safe with them until the clock runs out.

Re: Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

This win could save the whole season. I hope it does.

Re: Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

Yeah now all the have to do is beat Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Coast Guard Academy.

Re: Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

So far, ND has played the hardest schedule of any team in the AP top 15. Every other team in that group has had one or even two cup cakes already. So, ND could use a break.

Problem is Purdue, their next opponent is still undefeated. Air Force can catch ND off guard, like they did to Tennessee, and oh yeah, their last opponent happens to be USC.

The schedule gets easier, but there's still danger out there.

Re: Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

I think John L. said it was planted on the 35.

Re: Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

Naw........MSU couldn't even find the 50 yard line, they planted it on the 35, per John L Smith And whomever said it yes they have had a cupcake schedule Idaho, Eastern Michigan and Pitt. Coach Smith has improved the program (thank you to him for that), but he and his staff are not the ones to take us to the next level. That is very clear.

Re: Michigan State/Notre Dame History
 

You may win those games but you will lose to CA. ND, without Quinn on his game, is nothing more than incredibily ordinary. Charlie Weiss is not yet playing with the players he has recuited, he should by next year and when his players come on watch out. Right now he is playing the hand he was dealt.

:tt02: :chicken: :thumbsup: