Michigan State Football: Top 30 games in school history
12. MSU vs. Ohio State (1998)
In many of these games, Michigan State is the overwhelming underdog, and that has been the theme of the program for as long as I can remember. In 1998, the Spartans traveled to Columbus to face the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes who were 8-0 and had been just demolishing every opponent they had faced up until that point.
In fact, Ohio State’s closest win before playing the Spartans was a 34-17 season-opening victory over No. 11-ranked West Virginia. The next closest was a 19-point win over No. 7 Penn State and they had also taken down No. 21 Missouri by 21 points.
The Spartans stood no chance.
Ohio State was a four-tocuhdown favorite heading into the game, and for good reason. Michigan State was just 4-4 heading into the Nov. 7 showdown and the Buckeyes knew that it wasn’t going to be a cakewalk — which it wasn’t.
After a horrid day running the ball — just 34 carries for 48 yards — the Spartans led Bill Burke air it out. It was looking like a lost cause after the first quarter as Ohio State, to no one’s surprise, led the contest 17-3. Michigan State then went on a 25-7 run and the game was clinched by a late interception in the red zone by Renaldo Hill.
That was one of the most iconic moments in MSU football history.
Next: 11. MSU vs. Notre Dame (2010)