UCLA-Michigan State football Rose Bowl Game ranked No. 3 all time

Michigan State football has been part of some iconic football games over the years. The past couple decades have seen some amazing MSU football wins including Little Giants, Rocket, the comeback Cotton Bowl win against Baylor, the Rose Bowl and the three wild wins in the 2015 season over Michigan, Ohio State, and Iowa.

But even when you throw it back to the 1950s and 1960s, you will still find some amazing Michigan State games.

The first that comes to my mind is the Game of the Century against Notre Dame in 1966 that saw the two teams tie 10-10. But there are many others that could be considered one of the greatest college football games of all time.

ESPN recently released a list of their top college football games of all time, and a game featuring Michigan State was included as the third best classic matchup of all time.

Unfortunately for MSU, this game did not go their way. The Spartans were the consensus No. 1 team in the country and a two touchdown favorite heading into their matchup again fifth-ranked UCLA. The Bruins however outlasted Michigan State 14-12, thanks to consecutive touchdowns by Bruin Gary Beban after an onside kick.

Fortunately for MSU, this team still went down as national champions as the voting took place before the postseason. But this is still a game that Michigan State arguably should have won, and one that likely still stings for those of us who were around back then.

The Spartans that season were led by Hall of Famer Charles "Bubba" Smith and were dominant all season long. They beat UCLA in the season opener 13-3 and also had dominant wins over Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State en route to a Big Ten championship. The Spartans held all three of those opponents to negative rushing yards, including -51 against Michigan.

While it's unfortunate for a game Michigan State lost to be included in this list, it's still really cool to see MSU included.. It's also neat to see that MSU and UCLA have a lot of history between them, so now that UCLA is joining the Big Ten there's a chance that could turn into a small rivalry.

Hopefully next time Michigan State faces off against the Bruins, the result ends more favorably for the Spartans.