Michigan State Football: Ranking Spartans’ 2020 opponents by toughness

It’s easy to say this is the easiest game on the schedule for Michigan State because Rutgers has been so bad for years, but the Scarlet Knights brought back Greg Schiano who actually has experienced success in Piscataway — and he has a victory over the Spartans from 2004.

Rutgers is going to be bad this season and Michigan State gets the Scarlet Knights at home in the first game of the year. That should be as close to a sure win as there is, but it’s 2020 and crazier things have happened.

Mike Locksley is in year two of his coaching tenure and that might put Maryland slightly ahead of Michigan State in terms of rebuilding, but the Spartans arguably have more talent.

Maryland has some key blue-chippers who can give the Spartans a tough time and Taulia Tagovailoa might get the start under center after transferring from Alabama but this team is still far from polished.

Getting the Terrapins near the end of November may allow for the Spartans to gain some momentum heading into this one and not having fans in attendance will surely help.