ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The great thing about rivalry games is their unpredictability, and the Michigan State-Notre Dame series certainly brings plenty. The road team has won the last seven meetings between the teams, a trend Michigan State hopes to stop Saturday at Spartan Stadium (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET). 

Here's a look back at the road dominance:

Site: Notre Dame Stadium

Score: Michigan State 17, Notre Dame 10

Summary: Spartans wide receiver Charles Rogers had four receptions for 116 yards, including the go-ahead 47-yard touchdown with 7:51 left. Michigan State flustered Fighting Irish quarterback Matt LoVecchio and won its fifth straight game in the series (third straight in South Bend, Ind.).

2002

Site: Spartan Stadium

Score: Notre Dame 21, Michigan State 17

Summary: After blowing a 14-3 fourth-quarter lead, Notre Dame rallied behind quarterback Pat Dillingham, who filled in for injured starter Carlyle Holiday. Trailing 17-13, Dillingham found Arnaz Battle, who raced 60 yards to the end zone with 1:15 left. Battle's burst put the 12th-ranked Irish at 4-0, the team's best start since 1993.

2003

Site: Notre Dame Stadium

Score: Michigan State 22, Notre Dame 16

Summary: Spartans running back Jaren Hayes broke open a defensive struggle in the third quarter with a 71-yard touchdown dash. Holiday threw two interceptions for the Irish, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and the clamor to start a freshman named Brady Quinn grew louder in South Bend. Michigan State won its fourth straight road game against the Irish.

2004

Site: Spartan Stadium

Score: Notre Dame 31, Michigan State 24

Summary: Fighting Irish safety Tom Zbikowski had an interception that set up a touchdown and then went the distance himself, stripping the ball from Michigan State's Jason Teague and racing 75 yards to the end zone. Michigan State committed six turnovers in the loss, and Notre Dame coach Ty Willingham improved to 2-1 against his alma mater. 

2005

Site: Notre Dame Stadium

Score: Michigan State 44, Notre Dame 41 (OT)

Summary: The Spartans blew a 21-point lead but responded in overtime, as Teague ran 19 yards for the game-winning score after Notre Dame had to settle for a field goal. Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton had 327 passing yards and accounted for four touchdowns (3 pass, 1 rush). After the win Spartans players planted their flag on the Notre Dame Stadium field, prompting an apology from coach John L. Smith. 

2006

Site: Spartan Stadium

Score: Notre Dame 40, Michigan State 37

Summary: The rain came at halftime and washed away Michigan State's seemingly insurmountable 31-14 lead. After dominating most of the game, the Spartans went conservative in the fourth quarter and Quinn took advantage for the Irish, firing five touchdown passes. Terrail Lambert's interception return for a touchdown with 2:57 left sealed the win for the Irish -- and Smith's fate as Michigan State coach. 

2007

Site: Notre Dame Stadium

Score: Michigan State 31, Notre Dame 14

Summary: By far the least exciting meeting in recent years, Michigan State dominated a Notre Dame team in total disarray. Quarterback Brian Hoyer threw two third-quarter touchdown passes as the Spartans pulled away from the Irish, who scored their first offensive touchdown of the season but managed only 203 total yards. Michigan State became the Irish opponent to win six consecutive games at Notre Dame Stadium.