Bucking convention: MSU signs football deal with Boise State

Chris Solari here again with another update -- gee, it's been a busy, newsy fall -- as Joe Rexrode plods his way toward Iowa City.

Michigan State's football team will host national power Boise State to open the 2012 season at Spartan Stadium.

MSU athletic director Mark Hollis revealed the three-game contract with the perennial BCS buster Broncos via Twitter today, and the Aug. 31 night game will be televised by ESPN.

The deal calls for the Spartans to travel to Boise, Idaho, in 2022 and for Boise State to return to East Lansing in 2023.

The Broncos are ranked No. 2 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls this week.

MSU's 2012 home schedule also will include Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, Nebraska and Northwestern.