Michigan State Football: Top 30 games in school history
2. MSU vs. USC (1988)
The first Rose Bowl appearance in 22 years was a successful one for George Perles and his surprising Spartans. Michigan State fans held a very special place in their hearts for Rose Bowl champions teams and the 1987 team which made the 1988 game was one of those special squads.
USC and Michigan State met earlier in the season for a Labor Day battle in which the Spartans came out on top. Two straight losses following that game against Florida State and Notre Dame led people to believe this Michigan State team wasn’t going anywhere, but the Spartans won the rest of their games outside of a tie.
An impressive 17-3 win over second-place Indiana in the home finale gave the Spartans the Big Ten crown and by winning the Rose Bowl, it allowed MSU a chance to prove it was the best team in the conference and the No. 8 team in the nation.
This was one of the rare seasons in which the Spartans beat both Michigan and Ohio State and what better way to cap off the great season but with a Rose Bowl win.
Much like the 1956 Rose Bowl, the Spartans won the game on a late field goal as John Langeloh hit the winner with about four minutes left to play, winning 20-17.
Next: 1. MSU vs. Notre Dame (1966)