It’s hard to believe, but it’s been nine years since the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Michigan State Spartans last squared off on the gridiron.
What was once an annual fixture between the two Midwestern powers — Notre Dame and Michigan State have battled 79 times since their first meeting in 1897 — unfortunately became a casualty of the conference expansion and realignment era.
Thankfully, however, the two schools agreed to a two-game, home-and-home series on June 27, 2024. As a result, the Battle for the Megaphone is back — live on NBC this Saturday night.
What to Expect This Saturday
It’ll Be a Physical Affair
Despite the long layoff in this rivalry, expect an intense and physical spectacle — especially considering the head coaches patrolling the sidelines.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman preaches playing with “violence” to his star-studded squad. Meanwhile, Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald molds his Spartans around a “blue-collar” philosophy.
There’s also a common thread connecting the two coaches. As players, both Freeman and Fitzgerald were All-Big Ten linebackers. It should come as no surprise, then, that both coaches emphasize bringing energy, playing physically and winning battles at every level of the defense.
That shared mentality should make itself evident Saturday night.
It’s a Trophy Game
In addition to the intensity surrounding the renewal of the rivalry, let’s not forget that this is also a trophy game.
The winner will stake claim to the Megaphone Trophy, which was introduced in 1949 by the Detroit-based alumni clubs of Notre Dame and Michigan State.
Needless to say, the student-athletes will want to get their paws on this noise-producing prize — especially considering how rare the opportunity to battle for the Megaphone has become.
For Michigan State, it’s a chance to bring a piece of rivalry history back to East Lansing. For Notre Dame, it’s an opportunity to make sure the Megaphone doesn’t leave South Bend.
The Irish Will Shake Down the Thunder Saturday Night
As exciting as it is to see these longtime rivals renew acquaintances in South Bend — complete with nostalgic memories of high-stakes matchups from years gone by — Saturday’s game probably won’t remind anyone of the 1966 “Game of the Century.”
That afternoon, No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 2 Michigan State battled to an infamous 10-10 tie in one of the most memorable games in college football history.
This 80th meeting between the Irish and Spartans figures to be considerably more lopsided.
Despite both programs entering the matchup at 2-0, Notre Dame sits at No. 3 in the AP Poll and has legitimate national championship aspirations. Michigan State, meanwhile, remains unranked and is still in the infancy of the Fitzgerald era.
The betting line reflects the considerable gap between the two programs, with BetMGM installing the Irish as 29.5-point favorites over the Spartans.
So, enjoy the pomp and circumstance surrounding the renewal of one of college football’s historic rivalries. Enjoy the nostalgia. Enjoy seeing the Megaphone Trophy back on the line.
But once the final whistle sounds Saturday night, the echoes will have awakened and the thunder will have shaken down.
Freeman’s Fighting Irish will send ol’ Sparty back to the banks of the Red Cedar trophy-less, while the Megaphone stays right where it is — in South Bend.
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