Michigan State just got its first real battle of the season in Week 3 as it went to South Bend to face the No. 3 team in the country, but things won’t get any easier as Big Ten play begins in Week 4.
Nebraska is one of the Big Ten’s remaining 3-0 teams and the Cornhuskers are led by one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, according to PFF.
Anthony Colandrea transferred to Nebraska from UNLV after Dylan Raiola left for Oregon and it turns out the Cornhuskers won that trade-off. While Raiola is a talented former five-star, Colandrea is one of the best dual-threats in the country and now he’s Pro Football Focus’ top-graded quarterback in college football.
Yet another major test is coming the Spartans’ way.
Anthony Colandrea is the highest graded QB in the NATION☠️ https://t.co/Cgh8hb7ozB
— Barstool ‘Skers (@BarstoolHusker) September 23, 2026
The grades are a little surprising, but Colandrea has been pretty good with the Cornhuskers through three games, passing for 692 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 75 yards and two more scores. He’s accounted for 10 touchdowns through three games, but they have all come against inferior opponents in Ohio, Bowling Green, and North Dakota.
Is this a bit misleading of a grade? Yeah, probably, but that doesn’t discredit how good of a quarterback he is. He’s one of the better quarterbacks in the Big Ten and he’s playing on another level through three weeks.
This is another elite test for Michigan State but it also happens to be the toughest test that Colandrea has faced all season.
Michigan State’s defense is ready
Michigan State’s defense has gotten better every week and despite being without Brady Pretzlaff, it’s going to give Colandrea everything he can handle. The defensive line has gotten better, the linebackers have been solid, and the secondary has been bending but not breaking.
Max Bullough and Joe Rossi have done wonders for this defense and it kept the Spartans in the Notre Dame game when the offense was struggling to string together drives.
Ben Roberts has been really good on the interior of the defensive line along with Eli Coenen and Kenny Soares Jr. has been a menace on the edge. Jordan Hall is one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten and when healthy, Pretzlaff is right up there with him. Tre Bell is one of the best surprises on the roster and he’s joined by veterans like Nikai Martinez, Michael Richard, Devin Vaught, and Charles Brantley in the secondary.
This defense is coming together nicely and it actually has an identity unlike the units that we saw during the Jonathan Smith era and throughout most of the Mel Tucker era.
Although Colandrea is going to provide another tough test for the Spartans, he’s also facing his stiffest battle of the season.
Something’s got to give.
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