Rivalry/Trophy Games
- Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry
- The Megaphone Trophy is awarded each year to the winner of the football game between the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. The rivalry includes games such as the Game of the Century, arguably the greatest college football game ever played. The Megaphone Trophy series record is 32–26–1 in favor of Notre Dame. Notre Dame currently holds the trophy after a 20-3 win in East Lansing in 2012.
- Old Brass Spittoon vs. Indiana Hoosiers
- The Old Brass Spittoon is presented to the winner of the Indiana–Michigan State football game which was first presented in 1950. Michigan State currently leads the all-time trophy series 42–11–2. Though Indiana and MSU will be in opposite divisions in the Big Ten conference starting with the 2011 season, this rivalry game is to be scheduled every year. The Spartans currently hold the Old Brass Spittoon after beating Indiana 31-27 in 2012.
- Paul Bunyan Trophy vs. Michigan Wolverines
- The Paul Bunyan-Governor of Michigan Trophy is a college rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual American football game between the Michigan State University Spartans and University of Michigan Wolverines. The winner retains possession of the trophy until the next year's game. Michigan State currently trails the trophy series 34–23–2, which dates back to 1953. Michigan State has won the Paul Bunyan Trophy for four of the last five years, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
- Land Grant Trophy vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
- The Land Grant Trophy is named so because Penn State University and Michigan State University are the nation's oldest land-grant universities, both founded in 1855 (Michigan State on February 12 and Penn State on February 22). When Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference in 1993, the Nittany Lions and Spartans have played each other for the trophy in the last week of conference play until the 2010 season. The trophy, designed by former Michigan State coach George Perles, features pictures of Penn State's Old Main and Michigan State's Beaumont Tower. Michigan State leads the trophy series 5–4.(Penn State was forced to vacate 9 victories between 1998 and 2011 due to NCAA sanctions stemming from the Jerry Sandusky scandal) MSU and PSU are now in opposite Big Ten conference divisions and not scheduled to play each other from 2011–2014. Michigan State is the current holder of the Land Grand Trophy after beating Penn State 28-22 in State College, PA; the victory ensured that the Spartans won a share of the 2010 Big Ten Championship
Read more about this topic: Michigan State Spartans Football
Famous quotes containing the words rivalry and/or games:
“It seems to me that we have to draw the line in sibling rivalry whenever rivalry goes out of bounds into destructive behavior of a physical or verbal kind. The principle needs to be this: Whatever the reasons for your feelings you will have to find civilized solutions.”
—Selma H. Fraiberg (20th century)
“In 1600 the specialization of games and pastimes did not extend beyond infancy; after the age of three or four it decreased and disappeared. From then on the child played the same games as the adult, either with other children or with adults. . . . Conversely, adults used to play games which today only children play.”
—Philippe Ariés (20th century)