Rutgers Football 2026 Opponent Preview: Michigan State

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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 30: Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Michigan State Spartans attends a college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 30, 2026 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rutgers has gotten used to playing Maryland during Rivalry Week, which is the final game of the season. This year, the last week will feature Michigan State taking a trip to SHI Stadium.

2026 Michigan State Football at a Glance

  • Name: Michigan State Spartans
  • Stadium: Spartan Stadium (Cap. ~75,000)
  • Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald, 1st season
  • Offensive Coordinator: Nick Sheridan
  • Defensive Coordinator: Joe Rossi
  • 2025: 4-8, 1-8 in Big Ten

2025 Michigan State Season-In-Review

  • Key Returners: DL Ben Roberts, DL Isaac Smith, LB Jordan Hall, WR Chrishon McCray, OL Conner Moore, QB Alessio Milivojevic
  • Transfer Additions: CB Tre Bell, OL Ben Murawski, RB Jaziun Patterson, RB Cam Edwards, CB Charles Brantley, DE Trey Lisle, OL Trent Fraley, TE Carson Gulker
  • Incoming Class: WR Samson Gash, OL Collin Campbell, QB Kayd Coffman, CB KJ Deriso, S Eliyjah Caldwell, DL Hudson Aultman, LB Adam Shaw, CB Truth Umenyiora
  • Key Losses: TE Jack Velling, WR Omar Kelly, WR Nick Marsh, QB Aidan Chiles, TE Michael Masunas, DL Alex VanSumeren, DE Jalen Thompson, OL Stanton Ramil, RB Makhi Frazier, CB Ayden West, OL Kristian Phillips

Strengths

There are some changes to the Spartans on both sides of the ball. The most important part of the offense will be the offensive line.

The big men up front added some new pieces with Ben Murawski and Nick Sharpe coming in to take over the left side. The right side has Conner Moore and Luka Vincic leading the way.

A strong offensive line can lead to a strong run game. Cam Edwards was a big addition in the portal after his time at UConn. The Spartans were successful in games when running the ball effectively. Will this open up the pass game for Alessio Milivojevic? It’s possible.

Defensively, how could you not feel good about linebackers under Pat Fitzgerald?

Jordan Hall returns after a team-leading 88 tackles last season. Dion Crawford was an impact defender during his time at Buffalo as well. The Spartans allowed 100 or more yards on the ground seven times this season — all losses. That is a trend that the Spartans would like to clean up and the middle of the defense goes a long way.

Weaknesses

The pass game has a chance to be decent this year but it will be up to new faces to take over. Nick Marsh is now with Indiana while Jack Velling and Omar Kelly are in the NFL. The Spartans will have a new group catching the ball.

Also, the offensive line is rebuilt but remains a question mark. It has a chance to be a strength but until proven otherwise, is a group that allowed 37 sacks and 93 tackles for loss.

On the defensive side, it is the pass rush that needs work after just 22 sacks last season. The Spartans did not improve dramatically in this area but it feels hard to be much worse. No Michigan State rusher had three sacks last season.

The defense also struggled to force turnovers. The Spartans came away with just four recovered fumbles and five interceptions in 2025.

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