This Saturday’s matchup marks the 48th meetings between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 25 Michigan State. Although the teams may share a common enemy in the Maize and Blue, the Buckeyes and Spartans have had their own battles.

The rivalry can be dated all the way back to 1974. An undefeated and top-ranked Buckeye team fell to the Spartan underdogs in the last minute of the game. 

History repeated itself 24 years later in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State came out on top 28-24 due to a second-half push for points. OSU made too many mistakes, while the Spartans took advantage of loose balls and wide open quarterbacks.

Since 2011, the Green and White defeated the top-touted Buckeyes three times. 

“The three times that we've won, we've been able to get to the championship game,” MSU coach Mark Dantonio. “Our goal is to get to that championship game and then play it out. So, it goes through Columbus. We knew that coming into this season, and so we've got to be able to play up to it.”

2011: Dantonio sealed his first win over Ohio State 10-7 on the road. 

2013: The Spartans snatched their first Rose Bowl berth after overwhelming the Buckeyes 34-24 in the Big Ten Championship.

2015: No. 9 MSU victory after a 41-yard field goal from former kicker Michael Geiger pushed them past No. 2 OSU breaking its 23-game winning streak, 17-14.

“I really think that any time you're in a conference, you're trying to become the best in your conference, so you've got to measure up,” Dantonio said. “Ohio State has been a dominant program in this conference ... I don't think I'm letting the cat out of the bag here. That's been since the '90s, into the early 2000s. Coach (Jim) Tressel was there as well, and certainly when Coach Meyer was there.”

This matchup has been seen as a season-changer for many years now because of the unexpected comebacks Michigan State has accomplished in the past. 

Against MSU, the Buckeyes are 13-6 when both teams are ranked. The Spartans are 3-1 when both teams are in the top ten. The Spartans thrive off the challenge.

“If you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best,” MSU senior captain Joe Bachie said. “If you don’t love it, why do you play the game?”

Although this rivalry has a plethora of history, the 2019 Michigan State team is focused on the task at hand.

“Different year,” MSU quarterback Brian Lewerke said. “We’re not focused on last year or two years ago. We’re focused on what we can get done this year.”

The 48th meeting will be televised nationally on ABC, kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio.