Michigan State football 2026 game-by-game predictions: Rutgers

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Michigan State football is right around the corner so it’s time to start predicting how the season will shake out for the Spartans.

Michigan State football is under new leadership this season, with Pat Fitzgerald set to take over as the next head coach. He will take over a program looking to get back on the winning side, with the Spartans in the midst of a four-year bowl drought. Can he get the job done and get the Spartans back to a bowl game this season? I have offered my thoughts on that in our game-by-game predictions segment on Spartans Wire.

We continue on with the next of my game-by-game predictions for each of the matchups on the Spartans’ 2026 schedule. Each morning a new prediction will be released following Michigan State’s schedule. Next up is the regular season finale against Rutgers…

Matchup Breakdown

Opponent: Rutgers

Date: November 28, 2026

Location: SHI Stadium (Piscataway, N.J.)

Fun Fact About This Matchup

Michigan State is looking to snap a two-game losing streak against the Scarlet Knights after defeats to Rutgers in 2023 and 2024. Prior to then, Michigan State had never lost two straight games against Rutgers, and holds an 8-3 advantage against the Scarlet Knights since they joined the Big Ten in 2014.

Where Things Stand Entering Matchup

MSU predicted record: 6-5 (4-4 in Big Ten)

Michigan State will get an extra day of rest after playing on Friday night the week prior and will need it too. The Spartans were dominated by top 10 Oregon the week prior and will now look to finish the season strong with a road victory over Rutgers.

If things go as I envision, Rutgers is in for a long season in 2026. I’m predicting Rutgers to come into this game with a 3-8 overall record and in search of their first Big Ten win of the season. That should sound familiar to Michigan State fans as that is the same scenario as the Spartans last season…

Prediction

Prediction: Rutgers wins 23-20

Mark this one as the first “bad” loss of the Pat Fitzgerald era at Michigan State. The Spartans are the better team on paper, but depth will again catch up with them after a three-game gauntlet of Michigan, Washington and Oregon. Combine that with a few boneheaded mistakes and Rutgers picks up their first Big Ten win of the season.

Next Up

Next on the game-by-game predictions list is a prediction for where the Spartans are bowling. That prediction will be released tomorrow.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State football 2026 game-by-game predictions: Rutgers

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