EAST LANSING – Fifty years later, the game remains one of the iconic moments in college football’s long historical narrative.
It was called “The Game of the Century” back when such distinctions didn’t possess a social media shelf life of a few hours. Michigan State versus Notre Dame. The Irish were ranked No. 1. The Spartans No. 2. A 10-10 tie. The result of a highly anticipated regular-season finale ensured two national champions.
College football was strictly a regional sport then. ABC couldn’t televise the game live nationally because both the Irish and the Spartans had used up their allotted television appearances by the time they played the game in November.