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Michigan State Football: Best, worst and middle case scenarios for 2020

By Jack Williams

Mel Tucker, Michigan State football (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Mel Tucker, Michigan State football (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Jalen Nailor #8 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes past linebacker Ja’Cquez Williams #30 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michigan State Spartans won 27-21. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Jalen Nailor #8 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes past linebacker Ja’Cquez Williams #30 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michigan State Spartans won 27-21. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

Middle-case scenario

In Mel Tucker’s sole season as a head coach, he went 5-7 – replicating the Colorado Buffaloes’ record from the previous season. Though it’s not a very significant stat, it’s worth noting that he improved the Buffaloes’ in-conference record by one win.

The Spartans, very similarly, have gone 6-6 the past two seasons. The negative side here is that Michigan State returned a plethora of talent between the past two seasons, most of which is gone now.

Most people see this outcome as the most probably scenario for the upcoming season. The Spartans would win games against Toledo and Rutgers, similar to the last scenario. They would also win games against Indiana, Maryland, Miami and BYU, failing to take down any Big Ten powerhouse teams.

And at this point, we’d be OK with that.

The middle case scenario should see the Spartans somewhere between 5-7 and 8-4. As long as MSU is somewhat competitive against the stronger opponents in the Big Ten, this will likely be considered a positive season for the first-year head coach.

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