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Michigan State Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by toughness

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs into the tackle of Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs into the tackle of Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Mark Dantonio leads Michigan State football into the 2019 season with high expectations. Which opponents will give the Spartans the most trouble?

The 2019 schedule is far from a cakewalk for veteran head coach Mark Dantonio and his Michigan State Spartans.

In fact, they get Michigan and Ohio State on the road, and as if that wasn’t enough, the Spartans also travel to Madison to face Wisconsin and Evanston to take on the reigning Big Ten West champion, Northwestern. That’s four tough road contests against teams that could all make the Big Ten title game.

At home, the Spartans host a rising Arizona State team along with Penn State and a Maryland squad that seems to be trending in the right direction. Indiana, too, will be a tough battle and even Western Michigan in non-conference play could give the Spartans a run for their money.

If Michigan State is going to get back to Indianapolis for the first time since 2015, it’s going to earn it. There are no free passes on the schedule this season so if the Spartans finish with 10-plus wins, it’ll be one of the most impressive feats in Dantonio’s career.

Can Michigan State turn things around after a disappointing 2018 season to win the East and shock the college football world? Let’s start by ranking each opponent by toughness.

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