Claim: The 1982 Michigan State Spartans football team, directed by third season head coach Muddy Waters, won seven games, but did not beat number eleven Notre Dame.
Evidence: In their third season under head coach Muddy Waters, the Spartans compiled a 2–9 overall record (2–7 against Big Ten opponents) and finished in a tie for eighth place in the Big Ten Conference. 
L 16–23 L 22–25 L 10–31 L 3–11 L 23–24 L 17–31 L 21–24 W 22–14 L 24–28 W 26–7 L 18–24