Michigan State is less than 24 hours from kicking off its first Big Ten game under Pat Fitzgerald, and vibes around the program are pretty high, especially when you compare them to last year.
The Spartans are home underdogs to Nebraska but for some reason, there's some confidence swirling around in East Lansing. That reason is probably the energy that Fitzgerald has injected into the program since taking over in December. He may not have the most talented team in the world, on paper, but he's going to squeeze the most he possibly can out of them.
Getting some inside looks into team meetings and other behind-the-scenes moments with this new coaching staff and team has also gotten the fanbase fired up. Seeing a coach who isn't afraid to show emotion and actually sounds and acts like he cares is refreshing. It's been a little while since we've seen that.
The creative team has done an A+ job in the hype video and behind-the-scenes looks categories. They've knocked it out of the park under this new staff and it feels like the excitement everyone had after that 2021 season when all the videos have been works of art.
Well, they posted another masterpiece on Friday night, just hours before Michigan State is set to take the field against Nebraska. The Game 4 trailer is out, and it's beautiful.
Big Ten time. pic.twitter.com/1UVPWmzkuI
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) September 25, 2026
Fitzgerald clearly has this team bought fully in, and seeing that he's not content with everyone's approval of Michigan State's performance against Notre Dame feels like a standard is finally back.
Gone is the buying into "moral victories" and content demeanor following "that wasn't as bad as I thought" losses, and a championship standard has returned in their place. He wants guys who came to Michigan State to win titles and not just to be content with losing by fewer points than expected as a huge underdog. That loser mentality should have been out the door 10 months ago, and it looks and sounds like it's been gone.
Fire us up, Fitz.
Michigan State is seeking its first statement win
Notre Dame had a chance to be a really special night for Fitzgerald and the Spartans, but that first statement win had to wait at least one more week. Nebraska comes to town as favorites and the Cornhuskers are being hyped up as one of the most complete teams in the Big Ten.
The Cornhuskers have Pro Football Focus' No. 1-rated quarterback in Anthony Colandrea as well as the No. 1 freshman running back in the country, Jamal Rule, leading the way. The offense has been putting up some really impressive numbers, but they also haven't been tested. The Cornhuskers have faced Ohio, Bowling Green, and North Dakota which isn't exactly Murderers' Row.
Michigan State has seen a tougher opponent already and now the Spartans know how they stack up against Top 25-worthy teams. If they can make the necessary adjustments from the Notre Dame loss, they'll be able to pull off an "upset" win at home for Fitzgerald's first statement win.
"Protect Spartan Stadium" seems to be really important to Fitzgerald.
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