Michigan Football 2026 Opponent Preview: Michigan State
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Pat Fitzgerald arrives in East Lansing amidst a pile of rubble. Jonathan Smith’s tenure came to an abrupt end after only two seasons and four total wins (all wins between 2022 and 2024 were vacated). The Michigan State Spartans have not had a winning season since 2021 back when “Tuck Comin’” was a thing, and they have not beaten the Wolverines in that same time frame. It’s unfair to expect any coach to replicate Mark Dantonio’s success, but can Fitzgerald at least get this program back to respectability?
Let’s take a closer look at ground zero of the Michigan State rebuild.
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (First season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Nick Sheridan (First season)
- Defensive Coordinator: Joe Rossi (Third season) and Max Bullough (First season)
2025 Record
- 4-8 (1-8) 17th in the Big Ten
2025 Production Ranks
- Scoring Offense: 89th (12th in the Big Ten)
- Total Offense: 99th (13th in the Big Ten)
- Scoring Defense: 104th (15th in the Big Ten)
- Total Defense: 72nd (14in the Big Ten)
2025 TL;DR Recap
Smith’s second and final season at Michigan State will quickly be forgotten. After a 3-0 start, the Spartans dropped nine games in a row, and only two of those losses were by single digits. The Spartans showed some fight against Minnesota and at Iowa, but the only dignity they could salvage was a season-finale victory over Maryland before firing Smith the next day.
Key Departures
- WR Nick Marsh (59 receptions, 662 yards, six touchdowns)
- QB Aidan Chiles (1,392 yards (63 completion percentage), 10 touchdowns, three interceptions)
- DE Jalen Thompson (30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks)
- RB Makhi Frazier (520 yards, two touchdowns)
- TE Jack Velling (36 catches, 359 yards, three touchdowns)
- P Ryan Eckley (2025 Big Ten Punter of the Year)
- DT Alex VanSumeren (52 tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks)
Key Returners
- LB Jordan Hall (88 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles)
- QB Alessio Milivojevic (1,267 yards, 64 completion percentage, 10 touchdowns, three interceptions)
- OT Conner Moore (Started all 12 games last season)
Key Transfer Additions
- RB Cam Edwards (UConn)
- OT Ben Murawski (UConn)
- CB Charles Brantley (Miami)
- CB Tre Bell (Iowa State)
- DE Trey Lisle (SEMO)
- RB Jaziun Patterson (Iowa)
- C Trent Fraley (NDSU)
- LB Kenny Soares Jr., EDGE (NC State)
Preseason Preview & Record Predictions
Per Athlon:
“As showcased during his tenure at Northwestern, coach Pat Fitzgerald certainly knows what it takes to win in the Big Ten. However, despite a massive roster overhaul, a quick fix from last year’s 4-8 record in ‘26 won’t be easy in Fitzgerald’s debut in East Lansing. Just one starter – offensive lineman Conner Moore – returns to the depth chart. Sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic showed promise in nine appearances last year and is a key cog in the rebuilding effort this fall. Several transfers, including intriguing pickups at running back with Cam Edwards (UConn), tight end Carson Gulker (Ferris State), center Trent Fraley (NDSU), and receiver Fredrick Moore (Michigan), will aid Milivojevic’s development. The theme of newcomers needing to make an impact continues on defense, but this unit does have some continuity with Joe Rossi returning as coordinator, and linebacker Jordan Hall is back after a standout ‘25 campaign. Finding ways to generate more takeaways (nine last year) and sacks (22) is a must to help this defense and aid an offense in transition with short fields.”
CBS: 3-9
CFN: 4-8
ESPN FPI: 4.6-7.4
Sports Illustrated: Over 4.5 wins
Maize n Brew Thoughts
With Fitzgerald, Michigan State has hired an adult in the room with a proven track record of rebuilding a program. Didn’t we just do this? However, compared to Smith, at least Fitzgerald already has experience rebuilding and sustaining success in the Big Ten.
From 2006-2022, Fitzgerald went 110-101 at Northwestern, one of the hardest places to win in the country, especially pre-NIL. His teams consistently outperformed their talent level and were always one of the most physical teams in the conference. A hand-in-glove fit for the “Spartan’s Will” ethos of Michigan State, although that “will” will be tested because this rebuild isn’t going to happen overnight.
Sheridan comes from the Kalen DeBoer school of offensive philosophy, so the burden of this attack is going to fall on the shoulders of Milivojevic at quarterback. An uneasy proposition considering Milivojevic’s limited 10-game sample size and one career win as a starter. On the defensive side of the ball, Hall is ferocious and the one player national pundits can point to as a high-caliber difference-maker. Beyond that, the impetus for success will fall on the creativity of Rossi, who was a shrewd holdover by Fitzgerald.
With a lack of roster talent, this season is simply about building for Fitzgerald — laying the foundation for what this program can be in 2027, 2028 and beyond. Coming off a bye week to face Michigan late in the year will be this team’s Super Bowl. A chance to win one game that will count as three in the eyes of their fans this season. If Michigan State can upset the Wolverines and/or find a way to reach four or five wins with one of the worst rosters in the Big Ten, this team could be above .500 by next season and in the national conversation by Year 3.
“Fitz Comin’!”
But that’s a lot of “ifs” for a bad roster playing in the best conference in college football with a coach who went 1-11 the last time he was on the sidelines four years ago.
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