Michigan State football vs. MAC
It’s hard to believe that there’s a single team from the MAC that Michigan State hasn’t faced yet since there’s pretty much one on the non-conference schedule every year, but there are actually three. You might be surprised at which MAC teams have never lined up against the Spartans.
Ball State: Ball State has been around for about 100 years. In fact, the 2024 season will be the Cardinals’ 100th anniversary as a college football program, but Michigan State has never had the opportunity to play them. Maybe it’s because they’ve only played in nine bowl games and the Spartans usually just play the directional Michigan schools.
Buffalo: Just like Ball State, Buffalo hasn’t been in a ton of bowl games (six) and that’s presumably why the Spartans haven’t seen much of the Bulls.
Northern Illinois: Are you surprised by this one? I am, too. It just feels like Michigan State should have faced Northern Illinois at some point or another. They’re in the Midwest and they seemingly make the trip up to Detroit often to play in the Quick Lane Bowl or the former Little Caesars Bowl. Even with Rocky Lombardi there, Michigan State has never matched up with the Huskies. I would’ve loved a Rocky vs. MSU battle.