A historic rivalry is being renewed this season as Michigan State and Notre Dame will be facing off for the first time in a decade as Pat Fitzgerald and the Spartans will be traveling to South Bend on Sept. 19.
We’re still about four months away from that showdown, but we’re reaching that point in the offseason when kickoff times are announced and we get to plan out our fall a little early.
On Thursday, Michigan State announced a kickoff time for that Sept. 19 rivalry showdown.
And it’s not an ideal time for the Spartans.
Saturday Night Showdown in South Bend. pic.twitter.com/YVfj0bpwif
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) May 7, 2026
I’m not sure what I expected in terms of kickoff times for this game, but it definitely wasn’t a primetime matchup in the first month of the season. These are kickoff times usually reserved for big-time games, but Michigan State is getting the late kickoff in a hostile environment, just a few games into the Fitzgerald era.
Why is this kick time bad for the Spartans? Playing on the road under the lights always seems to conjure some magic from the home team. The atmosphere is a little more hostile with fans having all day to consume adult beverages and get riled up.
Notre Dame Stadium under the lights is one of the toughest places to play. Michigan State did win at Notre Dame under the lights the last time these two teams met in South Bend a decade ago.
Maybe history repeats itself for the underdog.
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame is long overdue
Michigan State and Notre Dame used to meet up darn near every season and the rivalry was really starting to heat up during the Mark Dantonio era.
Unfortunately, the series wasn’t renewed and the last time these two teams played was back in 2017 when Brian Lewerke was in his first full season as the Spartans’ QB1. That game went to the Irish, 38-18, just one year after Michigan State marched into Notre Dame Stadium and stole a win before stumbling to a 3-9 season — I still can’t believe that was the result after that Notre Dame win.
Michigan State and Notre Dame have had some classic battles from the 2010 “Little Giants” call in East Lansing to win in overtime to the 2013 phantom pass interference game which cost the Spartans a perfect season and a shot at a national title.
While I’m expecting this to be a Notre Dame win just based on where both programs are right now, I think it’s going to be much closer than expected. Although the night game will make it tougher.
Another instant classic under the lights incoming?
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