Michigan State Football: 5 best game in series history vs. Ohio State
By Stephen Robb
![COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 1: Jordan Hall #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is tackled for a loss by Denicos Allen #28 of the Michigan State Spartans on October 1, 2011 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 10-7. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 1: Jordan Hall #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is tackled for a loss by Denicos Allen #28 of the Michigan State Spartans on October 1, 2011 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 10-7. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a27765c8d2762c5ebc094c3434c1fb94091028ee6d0334168016e01d315404d7.jpg)
4. Spartans beat Buckeyes 13-7 (1987)
This was the year I first started watching college football and became a fan of Michigan State. It was a glorious season for Spartan Nation. The season started off rocky with back-to-back blowout losses to Norte Dame and Florida State. However, Michigan State rebounded to knock off top-ranked Iowa at Kinnick Stadium and arch-rival Michigan.
This game pitted legendary coaches Earl Bruce and George Perles against each other. It was a classic Big Ten defensive match at 13-7.
A key point in that game was in the fourth quarter and Ohio State attempted a reverse pass with Tom Tupa. However, the Spartan defense had blanketed the receivers and Tupa was forced to make a dash for the first down. The next play MSU sacked Tupa. The defense rose up to the challenge. Michigan State was able to become the outright Big Ten champion.