Indiana–Michigan State football rivalry
The Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon is an American college football rivalry between the Indiana Hoosiers and Michigan State Spartans.
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.
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.
In 2015, Michigan State defeated Indiana en route to a Big Ten Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
With the additions of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington in 2023, the Big Ten announced league football opponents for the 2024 to 2028 seasons. Indiana and Michigan State was not kept as a protected matchup. They are scheduled to meet in 2024, 2025, and 2027.
In 2025, Indiana defeated Michigan State 38–13 on their way to the program's third-ever Big Ten title, second consecutive College Football Playoff appearance, and first national championship.
Game results
By decade.| Decade | Indiana | Michigan State | Tie |
| 1920s | 2 | ||
| 1930s | 1 | ||
| 1940s | 1 | ||
| 1950s | 1 | 9 | |
| 1960s | 4 | 6 | |
| 1970s | 6 | 1 | |
| 1980s | 2 | 7 | |
| 1990s | 3 | 6 | |
| 2000s | 2 | 6 | |
| 2010s | 1 | 8 | |
| 2020s | 4 | 1 | |
| Total | 20 | 49 | 2 |