It’s very difficult these days to find a college football expert or media member who has something nice to say about Michigan State. Even after the oft-praised Pat Fitzgerald hire, publications have been getting their licks in on the Spartans.
While many have praised the Fitzgerald hire, they’re also very much down on his roster and the outlook for 2026. Heck, Vegas doesn’t even think the Spartans win four games.
The media, opposing fans, and Vegas are all disbelievers in what the Spartans have going for them entering the 2026 season and usually I’d say that’s a good thing, but maybe they know something that we don’t. Obviously the program has been in the dumpster for five years since its last bowl berth, but there’s just no way that the team is that bad right now.
I’ve seen the Spartans projected to go anywhere from 3-9 to 6-6 which isn’t the range you want to be in, but that just means that this team won’t have to do a whole lot to prove people wrong.
Especially when those people believe that the Spartans are the second-worst team in the Big Ten.
That’s exactly where Cody Nagel of CBS Sports has Michigan State in his post-spring Big Ten power rankings for 2026. Out of 18 Big Ten teams (still weird to say), Michigan State is No. 17.
Nothing Nagel said in his description was incorrect or disrespectful, but the ranking sure was. He said that the roster needed a massive overhaul this offseason which means that immediate turnaround expectations should be tempered. Still, I just can’t see the Spartans being worse than Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin, Maryland, Northwestern, and Minnesota.
There’s just no way that this team is worse than everyone in the Big Ten not named Purdue.
Michigan State has the talent to prove people wrong
While this isn’t the most talented roster that we’ve ever witnessed in East Lansing, there’s still plenty of talent available to turn things around.
Looking at the offense, the line looks to be vastly improved with Trent Fraley, Nick Sharpe, and Ben Murawski all coming in via the transfer portal and Rustin Young, Luka Vincic, AJ Dennis, and Conner Moore all returning. The receiving corps returns Chrishon McCray and an array of talented young guys who will get early opportunities. Tight end should be set with several talented options, the backfield has Cam Edwards and the best depth its had since Mark Dantonio, and Alessio Milivojevic is back at quarterback after stealing the job from Aidan Chiles.
On defense, Jordan Hall leads the way and there are some budding stars like Kenny Soares Jr., Brady Pretzlaff, Derrick Harmon, Mikeshun Beeler, Kekai Burnett, Anelu Lafaele, Tre Bell, and Charles Brantley. Obviously this side of the ball is more concerning, but the coaching staff makes up for it.
Special teams got an upgrade at coordinator with LeVar Woods from Iowa and he brings in Liam Boyd at kicker and Rhys Dakin at punter. This unit should improve, too.
There’s clearly plenty of talent to work with.
Fitzgerald is going to have a field day proving the doubters wrong this season.
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