Rank Michigan State Football’s 2024 opponents using SP+ Ratings.

Michigan State had one of the toughest schedules in college football last season, facing five teams who finished in the final Associated Press Top 25 rankings: No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Washington, No. 10 Ohio State, No. 13 Penn State, and No. 24 Iowa. The Big Ten Conference will become much more challenging in 2024 with the inclusion of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. However, in the first year of the league’s new design, Michigan State’s schedule may have become less challenging. ESPN’s Bill Connelly has recently updated his SP+ ratings for all FBS programs, which are based on three key factors: returning production, recent recruiting, and recent history. Michigan State is ranked No. 79 among 134 teams in the country. The Spartans’ offense is ranked 126th, the defense is 29th, and the special teams unit is 16th nationally.

Below, we’ve rated 11 of MSU’s 2024 opponents by SP+ rating. The Spartans’ Week 3 opponent, Prairie View A&M, is not included in these rankings because it is an FCS program. Let’s get started… 11.) FLORIDA ATLANTIC (114TH)—AUGUST 31 Tom Herman, the Owls’ second-year head coach, guided Florida Atlantic to a 4-8 record in his first season with the team. Herman is a terrific coach, but he has a lot of work to do at Boca Roton. Michigan State’s easiest FBS opponent this season will be in its opener, and the Spartans are projected to win to kick off the Jonathan Smith era. 10.) INDIANA (90th) — November 2 Indiana, like Michigan State, will have a new head coach in 2024, with Curt Cignetti joining Bloomington following a successful five-year stint at James Madison. The Spartans (50-18-1) have dominated this series against the Hoosiers, although Indiana has won the Old Brass Spittoon from MSU three out of the previous eight years. 9.) PURDUE (86TH) — NOV. 23 The Boilermakers are entering their second season under head coach Ryan Walters, who battled to a 4-8 record in his first season. This is not the same program that acquired the nickname “Spoilermakers” under former head coach Jeff Brohm. Michigan State should be able to handle this matchup at home. 8.) BOSTON COLLEGE (76TH) — SEPT. 21 The Eagles begin a new era with head coach Bill O’Brien, who succeeds Jeff Hafley (Green Bay Packers). Even in the subpar ACC, Boston College has failed to make an impact over the last decade and a half. The Eagles have not won more than seven games in a season since 2009, but with this game on the road, they will put MSU to the test early. 7.) Illinois (62nd)—November 16 Bret Bielema’s time as head coach at Illinois has been up and down, entering his fourth year. The Fighting Illini had two 5-7 seasons sandwiched around a spectacular 8-5 record in 2022. This is Michigan State’s only road game in November, and it will be one of the Spartans’ most difficult games of the season. 6.) MARYLAND (45TH)—SEPT. 7 The Spartans’ first big test of the Jonathan Smith era will come in Week 2, when they play Maryland. Under head coach Mike Locksley, the Terrapins have won two straight games versus MSU and are 8-5 in consecutive years. After starting 5-12 in its first two seasons under Locksley, Maryland has risen to the top half of the Big Ten with a 23-16 record over the last three seasons, including three bowl victories. 5.) RUTGERS (43RD)—Nov. 30 Michigan State’s last regular-season game will be tough, but the Spartans will be at home. Rutgers might be on the verge of its finest season under second-year head coach Greg Schiano. Under Schiano, the Scarlet Knights have regained competitive relevance after formerly being the Big Ten’s doormat. Rutgers finished 7-6 last season after starting 12-22 in Schiano’s first three seasons. 4.) IOWA (26th) — October 19 Michigan State’s hardest stretch of the season consists of four games in five weeks around the end of September and the beginning of October. Following a bye, the Spartans will host Iowa. Despite their offensive woes, the Hawkeyes have finished a full season with at least eight wins since 2015. This will not be an easy game for the Spartans, but Iowa is the weakest opponent in the aforementioned difficult four-game run. 3.) Michigan (5th)—October 26 The Wolverines lost several members of their national championship-winning squad in 2023, including head coach Jim Harbaugh, running backs coach Mike Hart, nearly the entire defensive coaching staff, and around 25 players. Still, Michigan is one of the highest-rated SP+ teams in college football heading into next season. The Spartans have lost two straight games to the Wolverines, but Jonathan Smith will aim to become only the third MSU head coach in the previous 27 years to defeat them on his first try (Nick Saban, Mel Tucker). 2.) OREGON (3RD) — OCT. 5 Michigan State will only play one of the Big Ten’s four new entering teams, but the Spartans have the hardest schedule of the four. Oregon is anticipated to be a powerhouse in Year 3 under head coach Dan Lanning, who has led the Ducks to a 22-5 record in their first two seasons in Eugene. This away game will be a difficult challenge for Michigan State. 1.) OHIO STATE (2ND)—SEPT. 28 Right before Michigan State travels to Eugene, the Spartans will visit Ohio State, a team that has recently dominated MSU. The Buckeyes have beaten the Spartans eight straight times, with Michigan State losing its last seven games by an average of 34.6 points. The Spartans’ only consolation is that they will play this game at home, which hasn’t mattered much in this series. Michigan State has dropped nine straight games versus Ohio State in East Lansing.

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