After the Jonathan Smith era in East Lansing, Michigan State is ready to move into a new and exciting time under head coach Pat Fitzgerald. The Spartans will certainly look like a new team with a lot of turnover in the transfer portal, but Fitzgerald has been very forthcoming that he is ready for the challenge.
The Big Ten has officially released full schedules for each team, and Fitzgerald will have a chance to compete right away with an action-packed schedule. There are some heavy hitters on the schedule that could be some statement wins for the Spartans.
The 2026 schedule is here! 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/byCxk6s9qT
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) January 27, 2026
So, with the schedule now out, let's take a look at the games and break down what the season could look like for Michigan State in year one under Fitzgerald.
Non-conference play
Michigan State will be out to start the season at home in the first two games against Toledo and Elon. Last season, the Spartans went 3-0 in non-conference play, and there is potential there for that to happen again. Even with new faces on the roster, Michigan State should be able to handle both Toledo and Elon with ease.
The first and probably biggest test for the Spartans comes in the third game of the season as they hit the road to South Bend to take on Notre Dame. The Irish are hungry this season after a College Football Playoff snub. This is going to be a very tough game, and in all honesty, will probably result in a loss. However, if Michigan State can leave with a win, there will be a lot of buzz around the Spartans.
Big Ten play
It is looking like the Spartans will enter Big Ten play 2-1, and a big game at home against Nebraska will get a good starting test for Fitzgerald's squad. Nebraska also saw a good amount of turnover this season, and if Michigan State can take down the Cornhuskers, that would be a good starting point for the Spartans in Big Ten play.
A trip to Wisconsin shouldn't be too much for Michigan State, as the Badgers have struggled heavily under Luke Fickell. That should be an easy win for Fitzgerald, and will give the Spartans momentum going into a battle against Illinois, who will be playing a new quarterback in 2026. Michigan State has a chance to start 3-0 in Big Ten play; at worst, they start 2-1.
Fitzgerald will get to face his former team at home as Michigan State takes on Northwestern, and with it meaning a bit more, the Spartans probably sent the Wildcats home with a loss. UCLA is in the same boat as Michigan State with a new head coach, and it could make things interesting, especially with this game at the Bruins.
Michigan is next, and the Spartans will have to go to the Big House for this one, and it will be a tough environment. Fitzgerald may not have the juice to take down Kyle Whittingham's team, and a loss here would not be great for the Spartans. Washington poses an interesting matchup for Michigan State as the game could go either way.
A home battle against Oregon will be the toughest game of the season for the Spartans, and there is no sugar coating that it ends in a loss, as Michigan State just needs more time to develop under Fitzgerald. Rutgers will close out the season for the Spartans, and it feels like there is no way they drop that one.
At best, Michigan State ends the season with eight wins and at worst only six, so the Fitzgerald era could bring more justice to a Spartans team that desperately wants to compete.