One team held the No. 2 ranking before sputtering down the stretch, while the other team finished the regular season with consecutive wins for the first time since 1999.
Before MSU and Boston College square off Dec. 28 at the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla., take a look at how the two schools compare both on and off the gridiron.
The game
Boston College season record: 10-3, first in Atlantic Division of ACC
MSU season record
7-5, eighth in Big Ten
Boston College head coach
Jeff Jagodzinski, first year. Jagodzinski came to Boston College after nine years in the NFL, the last of which he spent as the offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers.
MSU head coach
Mark Dantonio, first year. In his first season in East Lansing, Dantonio has taken the Spartans to their first bowl appearance since the 2003 Alamo Bowl.
They have
Heisman candidate Matt Ryan, who has thrown for more than 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns.
We have
Thunder and lightning. Running backs senior Jehuu Caulcrick and junior Javon Ringer have combined for more than 2,200 yards and 27 touchdowns.
All-time series
Boston College leads 3-1-1. MSU won the last meeting in 1995 by the score of 25-21.
Inside the schools
Boston College team name: Eagles
MSU team name: Spartans
Boston College founded in: 1863
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MSU founded in: 1855
Boston College enrollment: 14,395
MSU enrollment: 46,045
Boston College famous alumni: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Margaret Heckler and former professional football player Doug Flutie.
MSU famous alumni: Former professional basketball player Magic Johnson, NBC Dateline reporter Chris Hansen and Dan Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans.
Did you know?
Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1863, Boston College continues to identify with the Jesuit Catholic religion.
Currently 111 Jesuits live on campus, making BC one of the largest Jesuit communities in the world.
