The Indiana–Michigan State football rivalry is an American
college football
College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States.
Unlike most ...
rivalry
A rivalry is the state of two people or groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each participant o ...
between the
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of Indiana University Bloomington, named after the colloquial term for people from the state of Indiana. The Hoosiers participate in NCAA Division I, Division I of the Nationa ...
and
Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans are the athletic teams that represent Michigan State University. The school's athletic program includes 23 varsity sports teams. Their mascot is a Spartan warrior named Sparty, and the school colors are green and wh ...
.
History
The Old Brass Spittoon is awarded to the winner of the game. It was first presented in 1950.
This tradition was started by class president, Eugene McDermott of Allentown, PA.
Prior to the expansion of the Big Ten in 2011, there were stoppages in the series because the schools were not protected rivals in the rotating conference schedule (note no game in 1971 and 1972, 1979 and 1980, 1999 and 2000, and again in 2009 and 2010).
With the split of the Big Ten into divisions starting in 2011, Indiana and Michigan State were placed in separate divisions but were assigned as "cross-over" rivals, meaning they played each other every year. This arrangement lasted through the 2013 season. After the addition of Maryland and Rutgers into the Big Ten starting in 2014, the subsequent geographical realignment of the divisions placed both Indiana and Michigan State in the Big Ten East, assuring that the rivalry will be renewed annually.
Game results
See also
*
List of NCAA college football rivalry games
This is a list of rivalry games in college football in the United States. The list also shows any trophy awarded to the winner of the rivalry between the teams.
NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision
...
Notes
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Indiana-Michigan State football rivalry
College football rivalries in the United States
Indiana Hoosiers football
Michigan State Spartans football
Big Ten Conference rivalries