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Remembering the Absurdity of Michigan State's 1988 Title Defense

George Perles passed last night. He was 85 years old.

The eulogies that were either already prepared or currently being produced will note that he was a Michigan State football coach, athletic director, trustee as well as the father of the Motor City Bowl.

What those remembrances will likely gloss over is his 1988 football season in East Lansing, which - to me, anyway - is still the most batshit insane title defense campaign of any Big Ten champion, ever. Honorable mention to the 2018 Ohio State Buckeyes, who produced the worst defense in 50 years, a record-setting pace for penalties and a scandal en route to going 13-1 and hoisting the trophy in Pasadena.