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As Michigan State gears up for the 2024 football season, the Spartans face a diverse slate of opponents, each presenting its own set of challenges and opportunities. Last year saw some controversy and the hiring of new head coach Jonathan Smith, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the season.
From a promising opener against FAU to a demanding stretch featuring Ohio State and Michigan, the season will test Michigan State's mettle across a series of pivotal matchups. Here’s a look at how each game might unfold and what the Spartans can expect as they navigate through a competitive schedule.
Week 1: FAU Owls
Michigan State opens the 2024 season with a solid warm-up game against FAU, a team they have previously faced three times, leading the series 3-0. The Owls, who finished the 2023 season with a 5-7 record, will not be a complete pushover, but the Spartans, with their superior talent, are expected to secure a comfortable win in this matchup.
Record: 1-0
Week 2: at Maryland Terrapins
Michigan State will face Maryland for the 14th time, holding a 10-3 series lead. With Maryland coming off a 7-5 season in 2023 and set to start a young quarterback following Taulia Tagovailoa's graduation, the Spartans have a distinct advantage. Michigan State should be able to capitalize on this opportunity, grinding out a victory and further extending their lead in the series.
Record: 2-0
Week 3: Prairie View A&M Panthers
In their first-ever meeting, Michigan State is expected to secure an easy victory over Prairie View A&M, who finished the 2023 season with a 6-5 record. Prairie View A&M has struggled significantly against FBS opponents, being outscored 121-3 in their last two contests against such teams. The Spartans are likely to continue this trend with a dominant performance.
Record: 3-0
Week 4: at Boston College Eagles
Michigan State will face BC for the 8th time, with the Eagles leading the series 5-2. After a 7-6 finish to the 2023 season, BC remains a formidable opponent. This game won’t be easy for the Spartans; despite their best efforts, Michigan State is likely to fall short against the tough Boston College team.
Record: 3-1
Week 5: Ohio State Buckeyes
Michigan State will take on OSU for the 54th time, with OSU leading the series 35-18. Coming off a strong 12-1 season in 2023, the Buckeyes are a formidable opponent.
The Spartans will need to play their best game to compete, but even that might not be enough against OSU’s superior talent. The talent gap is likely to be too much for Michigan State to overcome.
Record: 3-2
Week 6: at Oregon Ducks
Michigan State and Oregon are set to meet for the eighth time, with the series tied 3-3-1. Oregon, coming off an impressive 11-2 season in 2023, will present a formidable challenge. Following a tough loss to Ohio State, the Spartans face another significant hurdle. Despite their best efforts, Michigan State is unlikely to secure a win against a strong Oregon team, especially after the potential letdown from the previous game.
Record: 3-3
Week 7: Iowa Hawkeyes
In their 50th meeting, Michigan State leads the series 25-22-2 against Iowa, who finished the 2023 season with a 10-4 record. This game will be a crucial test for the Spartans to assess their standing within the Big Ten Conference. It is expected to be a closely contested matchup, but Michigan State should manage to edge out a victory in this pivotal game.
Record: 4-3
Week 8: at Michigan Wolverines
Michigan State will clash with Michigan for the 117th time, with Michigan leading the series 73-38-5. After finishing the 2023 season with a 13-1 record and a national championship, the Wolverines are a highly-talented and deep team. Especially on defense.
As the Spartans continue a particularly tough stretch of conference play, they are likely to encounter a similar fate to their previous games against Ohio State and Oregon, struggling against Michigan's formidable squad.
Record: 4-4
Week 9: Indiana Hoosiers
In their 71st meeting, Michigan State leads the series 50-18-2 against Indiana, who ended the 2023 season with a 3-9 record. Although this game might seem closely matched on paper, the Spartans can secure a win by playing loose and taking full advantage of their home-field advantage.
Record: 5-4
Week 10: at Illinois Fighting Illini
In their 51st meeting, Michigan State leads the series 28-18-3 against Illinois, who finished the 2023 season with a 6-6 record. This Big Ten matchup could go either way, but the Spartans are expected to have the edge and come out on top in this contest.
Record: 6-4
Week 11: Purdue Boilermakers
In their 69th meeting, Michigan State leads the series 37-29-2 against Purdue, who had a challenging 2023 season, finishing with a 4-8 record. Given Purdue’s expected down year, Michigan State should be able to secure a straightforward win in this matchup.
Record: 7-4
Week 12: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
In their 16th meeting, Michigan State leads the series 10-5 against Rutgers, who ended the 2023 season with a 6-6 record.
As the season comes to a close, the Spartans are set for a tough and competitive game against the Scarlet Knights. However, Michigan State should be able to edge out Rutgers in this matchup.
Record: 8-4
Michigan State Overview
Michigan State’s 2024 season is set to be a journey through a mix of expected victories and high-stakes challenges. The outcomes of Michigan State games will hinge on how the Spartans seize early opportunities to establish momentum while facing a series of pivotal matchups against strong opponents that will test their resilience and skill.
Key games throughout the season will not only shape their standing in the B1G but also reveal how they measure up against top-tier competition. With a blend of manageable games and tough battles, Michigan State’s performance will be crucial in determining their success and progression.
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