Michigan State Football: 5 most important games in 2018

The 2018 season is right around the corner and it’s never too early to look at the most important games for Michigan State football on that schedule.

Michigan State’s 2018 season is right around the corner and the Spartans are already preparing for that kickoff against Utah State on Aug. 31. While the Aggies are on the clock, you can bet the Spartans have other foes in the back of their minds.

There are a handful of games on the schedule which bear more importance than others. Michigan State looks like one of the favorites to win the Big Ten, but the Spartans must take care of the big dogs on the schedule and avoid letdowns after those important victories.

Take a look at the five most important games of the 2018 season.

This was a toss-up between Northwestern and Arizona State, but the Spartans could overcome an early-season non-conference loss on the road more so than a home game to kick off the toughest stretch of the Big Ten schedule.

Northwestern also got the better of the Spartans in their 2017 meeting in Evanston, beating Michigan State 39-31 in overtime. Brian Lewerke hasn’t forgotten that tough loss, especially since he had one of his better games as a collegiate quarterback, passing for over 400 yards, but it was his interception in overtime that ended the game.

The Wildcats bring back their top defender as well as star quarterback Clayton Thorson. As long as the veteran quarterback can remain healthy, this will be a heck of a showdown in East Lansing.

Michigan State must get conference play off on the right foot, beating Northwestern to improve to 2-0 in the Big Ten would be huge.