Schedule posted on MSU website / Future schedules / Big Ten Conference / Big Ten divisions
All national rankings pertain exclusively to the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, unless noted otherwise.
|
2018
Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 12th season at MSU)
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Sat, April 7 |
Green/White Spring Game at Spartan Stadium, 5pm on BTN. |
Free admission. Due to Coach Dantonio's interest in playing under new lights (installed in Sept 2017), game starts later in the day than in any previous year... Only 33° at kick-off... White Team (Offense) wins 32-30. |
Aug 31 |
UTAH STATE |
- |
Sept 8 |
at Arizona State |
- |
Sept 22 |
at Indiana |
- |
Sept 29 |
CENTRAL MICHIGAN |
- |
Oct 6 |
NORTHWESTERN |
Homecoming |
Oct 13 |
at Penn State |
- |
Oct 20 |
MICHIGAN |
- |
Oct 27 |
PURDUE |
- |
Nov 3 |
at Maryland |
- |
Nov 10 |
OHIO STATE |
- |
Nov 17 |
at Nebraska |
- |
Nov 24 |
RUTGERS |
- |
|
2017
10-3 (76.9%) overall, 7-2 (77.8%) in Big Ten Conference regular season. Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 11th season at MSU). First time MSU has ever beaten Michigan 8 times in 10 games... Bowl win is Mark Dantonio's 100th win as MSU head coach
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
April 1 3:00pm |
Green/White Spring Game at Spartan Stadium |
Free admission. Beautiful blue skies. Green Team (Defense) wins 33-23. |
Sept 2 |
BOWLING GREEN Noon on ESPNU |
WON 35-10... Beautiful blue skies, 73°... MSU enters game initially favored by 17.5 points... MSU overcomes sloppy start... Permanent lights for future night games at Spartan Stadium unveiled. |
Sept 9 |
WESTERN MICHIGAN 3:30pm on BTN |
WON 28-14... Beautiful blue skies, 65°... WMU enters game after giving #4 USC all they could handle the previous Saturday... MSU enters game initially favored by 7 points... MSU QB Brian Lewerke scores TD on a 61-yard run... MSU defense prevents WMU from scoring any points from offense (WMU's two TDs come from a fumble return and from a 100-yard kick-off return)... MSU wears all white uniforms; fans asked to wear White. |
Sept 23 |
NOTRE DAME 8:00pm on Fox |
LOST 38-18... 87° and clear skies at 8:00pm kick-off... Notre Dame enters game initially favored by 3.5 points... MSU's three turn-overs and eight penalties are among many problems to solve... Fans "stripe the stadium" (even-numbered sections and Student Section wear Green; odd-numbered sections wear White). |
Sept 30 |
IOWA 4:00pm on Fox |
WON 17-10... MSU enters game initially favored by 4 points. |
Oct 7 |
at Michigan 7:30pm on ABC |
WON 14-10... First time MSU and UM have ever played each other at night... UM enters game ranked #7 and initially favored by 10 points (after this game, UM falls to #17 nationally)... UM commits 5 turnovers, most of any Jim Harbaugh-coached UM team... Warm, torrential rain in second half... First time MSU has ever beaten UM 8 times in 10 games.
|
Oct 14 |
at Minnesota 8:00pm ET on BTN |
WON 30-27... MSU enters game ranked #21 (first time nationally ranked this season) and initially favored by 4 points... Lightning delays start of game by 34 minutes... First time MSU faces P J Fleck as Minn coach; Fleck was former coach at Western Mich where he led his 2016 Broncos to a 13-1 season, losing only to Wisconsin in bowl game. |
Oct 21 |
INDIANA 3:30pm on ABC |
WON 17-9... Homecoming... Perfect weather, 73° and sunny at game time... MSU enters game ranked #18 (up three spots from last week) and initially favored by 7.5 pts... MSU never leads until 6 minutes remaining in 4th Quarter... In a rarely-used defensive play, Indiana intentionally allows MSU to score with 1:49 remaining in 4th Quarter, thus preserving clock and giving Indiana more time to possibly score and send game into overtime--- but MSU prevents Indiana from again scoring... With this win, MSU becomes bowl-eligible. |
Oct 28 |
at Northwestern 3:30pm ET on ESPN |
LOST 39-31 (3OT) ... MSU enters game ranked #16 (up two spots from last week) and initially favored by 1.5 points... MSU struggles entire game; scores touchdown with less than a minute remaining in regulation to send game into Overtime. |
Nov 4 |
PENN STATE Noon on Fox |
WON 27-24... MSU enters game ranked #24 (down eight spots from last week); Penn State enters game ranked #7 and initially favored by 7.5 points... Game suspended nearly 3½ hours in 2nd Quarter due to lightning (12:05pm game does not end until 7:03pm)... MSU kicks winning Field Goal with no time remaining. |
Nov 11 |
at Ohio State Noon ET on Fox |
LOST 48-3... MSU enters game ranked #13 (up 11 spots from last week); OSU enters game ranked #11 and initially favored by 14.5 points... OSU bounces back from previous week's humiliation at Iowa (a 55-24 Buckeye loss)... Most lopsided score ever in the OSU-MSU series. |
Nov 18 |
MARYLAND 4:00 PM on Fox |
WON 17-7... MSU enters game ranked #22 (down nine spots from last week) and initially favored by 16.5 points... Miserable day for spectators--- cold, windy, rain, sleet, snow. |
Nov 25 |
at Rutgers 4:00 PM ET on Fox |
WON 40-7... MSU enters game ranked #21 (up one spot from last week) and initially favored by 13 points... With this win, MSU "flips" its season (was 3-9 last year; 9-3 this year). |
Dec 28 |
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl WASHINGTON STATE 9:00pm ET on FS1 |
WON 42-17... MSU's 27th bowl game... MSU enters game ranked #16 in College Football Playoffs poll (#18 in AP poll), Washington State ranked #18 in CFP (#21 in AP) and initially favored by 3 points... Largest margin of victory of any MSU bowl win... Mark Dantonio's 100th win as MSU head coach... Eight Big Ten teams participate in post-season bowl games; all win their games except Michigan... MSU ranked #15 in final AP poll of 2017 season; WSU drops out of Top 25. |
|
2016
3-9 (25%) overall, 1-8 (11.1%) in Big Ten Conference regular season. Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 10th season at MSU). MSU has worst record since 1991; fails to qualify for a bowl game for first time since Dantonio became head coach at MSU.
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Sept 2
|
FURMAN 7:00 PM on BTN
|
WON 28-13... MSU enters game ranked #15; Furman unranked... Furman proves to be more of a challenge than many expected... MSU now has two weeks to prepare for big road game.
|
Sept 17
|
at NOTRE DAME 7:30 PM ET on NBC
|
WON 36-28... MSU enters game ranked #12; Notre Dame #18... Fighting Irish fail to recover from a 36-7 deficit.
|
Sept 24
|
WISCONSIN Noon on BTN
|
LOST 30-6... MSU enters game ranked #8; Wisconsin #11... MSU fails to score even one touchdown... Fans "stripe the stadium" (even-numbered sections and Student Section wear Green clothing; odd-numbered sections wear White).
|
Oct 1
|
at INDIANA 8:00 PM ET on BTN
|
LOST 24-21 OT... MSU enters game ranked #17; Indiana unranked... MSU fails to score in Overtime; Indiana then kicks a Field Goal for the win... First time Coach Dantonio has ever lost to Indiana while at MSU... First time since Mark Dantonio started coaching at MSU (2007) that MSU has started 0-2 in the Big Ten.
|
Oct 8
|
BRIGHAM YOUNG 3:30 PM on ABC/ESPN
|
LOST 31-14... During pre-game, BYU surprises everyone by placing bouquets of roses at 3-yard-line (for #3 Mike Sadler) and 6-yard-line (for #6 Mylan Hicks); the former MSU football players were killed in separate tragic events in Summer 2016... MSU had not lost three consecutive games since 2009.
|
Oct 15
|
NORTHWESTERN 3:30 PM
|
LOST 54-40... First time since Mark Dantonio started coaching at MSU (2007) that MSU has lost four consecutive games... First time since Sept 1995 that MSU has given up 50 points or more.
|
Oct 22
|
at MARYLAND 7:30 PM ET on BTN
|
LOST 28-17
|
Oct 29
|
MICHIGAN Noon on ESPN
|
LOST 32-23... UM enters game ranked #2 nationally, and a 24-point favorite... First time since 1982 that MSU has lost six consecutive games... UM falls from #2 nationally to #3 after this game, due to their inability to dominate MSU.
|
Nov 5
|
at ILLINOIS Noon ET on ESPN
|
LOST 31-27... MSU falls to 2-7, worst record in 25 years (1991).
|
Nov 12
|
RUTGERS Noon on BTN
|
WON 49-0... MSU ends longest losing streak in Coach Dantonio's college coaching career... MSU scores 35 points before halftime on a picture-perfect fall afternoon
|
Nov 19
|
OHIO STATE Noon on ESPN
|
LOST 17-16... OSU enters game ranked #2 nationally and initially favored by 22 points... After scoring a touchdown late in the 4th Quarter, MSU goes for a 2-point conversion for the win, but fails.
|
Nov 26
|
at PENN STATE 3:30 PM on ESPN
|
LOST 45-12... Penn State enters game ranked #7 nationally, initially favored by 11, and playing for the B1G East Division championship... MSU finishes season 3-9, worst since 1991.
|
|
2015 Big Ten Champions
12-2 (85.7%) overall, 7-1 (87.5%) in Big Ten Conference regular season. Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 9th season at MSU). First time MSU has ever played in new College Football Playoffs (CFP). First time MSU has finished in Top 10 three consecutive years. Class of 2015 was winningest senior class in MSU history with 43 wins (previous record: 42 wins in 2013 and 42 in 2014); part of three bowl wins (2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton), two Big Ten division titles (2013, 2015), and two Big Ten Championships (2013, 2015).
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Sept 4
|
at WESTERN MICHIGAN 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU
|
WON 37-24... MSU opens season ranked #5 in Preseason Associated Press Poll, highest preseason ranking in this poll since 1967 (then #3); MSU also ranked #6 in Amway Preseason Coaches Poll, highest MSU has ever been ranked in this poll since the poll began in 1991... Western Michigan proves to be a tougher opponent than many thought; mounts serious threat late in game.
|
Sept 12
|
OREGON 8:00 PM on ESPN
|
WON 31-28... For second consecutive year, ESPN's "College GameDay" 3-hour football preview program broadcasts live from MSU campus... Oregon enters game ranked #7 nationally, MSU ranked #5 (behind #1 Ohio State, #2 Alabama, #3 TCU, #4 Baylor) and initially favored by 4 points... First time since 1966 Spartan Stadium has hosted a game with two top-10 ranked teams (#1 Notre Dame vs #2 MSU in 1966)... Goodyear blimp provides aerial coverage during game... Fans "stripe the stadium" (even-numbered sections and Student Section wear Green clothing; odd-numbered sections wear White).
|
Sept 19
|
AIR FORCE Noon on ABC
|
WON 35-21... MSU enters game ranked #4 nationally (behind #1 Ohio State, #2 Alabama, #3 TCU) and initially favored by 26 points.
|
Sept 26
|
CENTRAL MICHIGAN Noon on BTN
|
WON 30-10... MSU enters game initially favored by 26 points and ranked #2 nationally (behind Ohio State), highest ranking for MSU since 1966 when Notre Dame was #1... MSU scores 30+ points for school-best 12th-straight game.
|
Oct 3
|
PURDUE Noon on ESPN2
|
WON 24-21... 100th MSU Homecoming Game... MSU enters game initially favored by 21 points, and still ranked #2 nationally (behind Ohio State)... Connor Cook becomes winningest quarterback in MSU history.
|
Oct 10
|
at RUTGERS 8:00 PM ET
|
WON 31-24... MSU enters game ranked #4 nationally (behind #1 Ohio State, #2 TCU, and #3 Baylor), and initially favored by 13 points... MSU scores go-ahead touchdown with just 43-seconds left in game.
|
Oct 17
|
at MICHIGAN 3:30 PM on ESPN
|
WON 27-23... MSU enters game ranked #7 nationally; UM ranked #12 and initially favored by 7 points... With just 10-seconds remaining, MSU recovers fumble after UM punter mishandles snap; MSU runs it back 38 yards for game-winning touchdown with no time remaining... MSU never leads in game until game clock reads 0:00... Game is Mark Dantonio's 100th career win... Jim Harbaugh becomes 7th consecutive UM coach to lose their first MSU-UM game (last to win was in 1948).
|
Oct 24
|
INDIANA 3:30 PM on ABC
|
WON 52-26... MSU enters game still ranked #7 nationally, and initially favored by 16 points... Connor Cook passes for career high 398 yards.
|
Nov 7
|
at NEBRASKA 7:00 PM ET on ESPN
|
LOST 39-38... MSU enters game ranked #7 in first College Football Playoff (CFP) poll of the season (top four CFP teams play in national college playoffs)... MSU's 12-point lead evaporates in last 2 minutes of the game.
|
Nov 14
|
MARYLAND Noon on ESPN2
|
WON 24-7... MSU enters game ranked #13 nationally in CFP poll, and initially favored by 15 points... First time Maryland plays at MSU as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
|
Nov 21
|
at OHIO STATE 3:30 PM on ABC
|
WON 17-14... Ohio State enters game as defending national champions, one of only two teams to beat MSU last season (national runner-up Oregon is the other team)... OSU enters game ranked #3 nationally in CFP poll, and initially favored by 13 points; MSU ranked #9... MSU's Michael Geiger kicks 41-yard game-winning field goal as time expires... Just like Oct 17 game against Michigan, MSU never leads in game until game clock reads 0:00... MSU limits OSU to just 132 total offensive yards, lowest by any Urban Meyer team since he started coaching college football in 2001... MSU gives Urban Meyer his first Big Ten regular-season loss since he started coaching at OSU four years ago... MSU limits OSU's star running back Ezekiel Elliott to just 33 yards rushing, ending his nation-leading streak of 15 consecutive 100+ yard games... MSU limits OSU to just 5 First Downs the entire game... MSU ends OSU's 30-game Big Ten winning streak, and 23-game winning streak... Game was most-watched college football game so far this 2015 season, drawing a 7.0 overnight rating.
|
Nov 28
|
PENN STATE 3:30 PM on ESPN
|
WON 55-16... MSU enters game ranked #5 nationally in CFP poll, and initially favored by 11 points... Late in 4th Quarter, senior Jack Allen (296-pound Center) takes hand-off from QB Connor Cook and "scampers" 9 yards for touchdown--- his first career carry and first career touchdown.
|
Dec 5
|
Big Ten Championship vs IOWA 8:17 PM ET on Fox
|
BIG TEN CHAMPIONS - WON 16-13... MSU enters game ranked #5 nationally in CFP poll and initially favored by 3.5 points; Iowa (12-0) ranked #4 in CFP... MSU uses 9-minute, 22-play drive; scores game-winning touchdown with just 27-seconds remaining... MSU plays for third time in Big Ten Championship Game (game's fifth year); MSU has 2 wins (2013 vs Ohio State, and 2015 vs Iowa) and 1 loss (2011 vs Wisconsin).
|
Dec 31
|
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic vs ALABAMA 8:00 PM ET on ESPN
|
LOST 38-0... First time MSU is selected for College Football Playoffs (CFP)... This game serves as a national semifinal game, part of CFP... MSU enters game ranked #3 nationally in CFP poll; Alabama ranked #2, and initially favored by 9.5 points... Alabama advances to beat #1 Clemson in Jan 2016 for its 16th national championship... Final Associated Press poll has MSU ranked #6, first time MSU has finished in Top 10 three consecutive years.
|
|
2014 Bowl Champions
11-2 (84.6%) overall, 7-1 (87.5%) in Big Ten Conference regular season. Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 8th season at MSU). First time MSU has ever played five regular-season night games. The only two teams to beat MSU this season (Oregon and Ohio State) would go on to play for the NCAA national championship in January 2015.
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Aug. 29
|
JACKSONVILLE STATE 7:30 PM
|
WON 45-7... MSU leads 38-0 at halftime
|
Sept. 6
|
at OREGON 6:30 PM ET
|
LOST 46-27... 90° at kick-off... MSU's 9-point lead evaporates in second half NOTE: Oregon QB Marcus Mariota goes on to win 2014 Heisman Trophy as the nation's best college football player. Oregon goes on to lose to Ohio State in the national championship game. Final Associated Press poll has Oregon ranked #2 behind Ohio State.
|
Sept. 20
|
EASTERN MICHIGAN Noon
|
WON 73-14... Most points ever scored by an MSU team under Coach Dantonio
|
Sept. 27
|
WYOMING Noon
|
WON 56-14
|
Oct. 4
|
NEBRASKA 8:00 PM
|
WON 27-22... Nebraska held scoreless until 3rd Quarter (17-0 at halftime)... MSU's 27-3 lead in 4th Quarter shrinks as Nebraska scores 19 unanswered points... MSU intercepts Nebraska pass with just 30-seconds remaining in game.
|
Oct. 11
|
at PURDUE 3:30 PM ET
|
WON 45-31
|
Oct. 18
|
at INDIANA 3:30 PM ET
|
WON 56-17... Dantonio's 100th game as MSU's head coach... Dantonio becomes first MSU coach to ever have 70 wins in his first 100 games... Indiana's starting quarterback suffers season-ending injury just five days before this game so Hoosiers start third-string true freshman at quarterback... With this win, MSU becomes bowl-eligible for 8th consecutive season; prior to Coach Dantonio, MSU had only attended four consecutive bowl games (Coach George Perles).
|
Oct. 25
|
MICHIGAN 3:30 PM
|
WON 35-11... Largest margin of victory by MSU over UM since 1967... After this game, first-ever College Football Playoff (CFP) poll is released; MSU ranked #8 (top four CFP teams play in first-ever national college playoffs).
|
Nov. 8
|
OHIO STATE 8:00 PM
|
LOST 49-37... ESPN's "College GameDay" 3-hour football preview program broadcasts live from MSU campus at 9:00 AM... First November night game ever played at Spartan Stadium... After this loss, MSU essentially eliminated from consideration for first ever College Football Playoffs. NOTE: Ohio State goes on to beat Oregon for the national championship, amazingly with a third-string quarterback (Cardale Jones). Final Associated Press poll has Ohio State ranked #1.
|
Nov. 15
|
at MARYLAND 8:00 PM ET
|
WON 37-15... First time Maryland plays MSU as member of Big Ten Conference... Maryland rushes for just 6 yards
|
Nov. 22
|
RUTGERS Noon
|
WON 45-3... First time Rutgers plays MSU as member of Big Ten Conference... MSU leads 35-0 at halftime
|
Nov. 29
|
at PENN STATE 3:30 PM ET
|
WON 34-10... MSU WR R.J. Shelton returns opening kick-off 90 yards for touchdown... MSU RB Jeremy Langford sets school record for 16th straight game of 100+ yards rushing against Big Ten opponents... MSU earns fourth 10-win season in last five years.
|
Jan. 1, 2015
|
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic BAYLOR 12:30 PM ET
|
WON 42-41... Trailing 41-21, MSU scores 21 unanswered 4th Quarter points to win, the last coming with just 17 seconds remaining in game... With just 2 seconds remaining in game, MSU intercepts Baylor pass... MSU RB Jeremy Langford sets school record for 10th straight game of 100+ yards rushing... MSU holds Baylor to Minus 20 yards rushing... Most combined points scored (83) in Cotton Bowl history... Eighth consecutive bowl game for MSU, all under Coach Dantonio... MSU wins fourth consecutive bowl game, first time in school history.
|
|
College Football Playoffs (CFP) |
Ohio State beats Oregon for national championship... First year for College Football Playoff system (4 teams)... Final Associated Press poll:
- Ohio State*
- Oregon*
- Texas Christian
- Alabama
- MSU/Florida State (tie)
* Only Ohio State (eventual #1) and Oregon (eventual #2) beat MSU this season
|
|
2013 Big Ten & Bowl Champions
13-1 (92.9%) overall, 8-0 (100%) in Big Ten Conference regular season. Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 7th season at MSU).
NOTE: On 2-13-2018, NCAA vacates the 2013 Notre Dame win over MSU after ruling that some ND players had participated while ineligible. Had this loss not occurred, MSU would have had a perfect season.
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Aug 30
|
WESTERN MICHIGAN
|
WON 26-13
|
Sept 7
|
SOUTH FLORIDA
|
WON 21-6
|
Sept 14
|
YOUNGSTOWN STATE
|
WON 55-17
|
Sept 21
|
NOTRE DAME
|
LOST 13-17... On 2-13-2018, NCAA vacates this win over MSU after ruling that some ND players had participated while ineligible. Had this loss not occurred, MSU would have had a perfect season.
|
Oct 5
|
IOWA
|
WON 26-14
|
Oct 12
|
INDIANA
|
WON 42-28
|
Oct 19
|
PURDUE
|
WON 14-0
|
Oct 26
|
ILLINOIS
|
WON 42-3
|
Nov 2
|
MICHIGAN
|
WON 29-6
|
Nov 16
|
NEBRASKA
|
WON 41-28... First time MSU has ever beaten Nebraska.
|
Nov 23
|
NORTHWESTERN
|
WON 30-6
|
Nov 30
|
MINNESOTA
|
WON 14-3
|
Dec 7
|
Big Ten Championship Game vs OHIO STATE
|
WON 34-24... MSU plays in its second Big Ten Championship Game (lost to Wisconsin in 2011).
|
Jan. 1, 2014
|
STANFORD Rose Bowl Pasadena CA
|
WON 24-20... 100th Rose Bowl game played... Seventh consecutive bowl game for MSU, all under Coach Dantonio... With under two minutes remaining in the game, MSU's Kyler Elsworth stops Stanford's ball carrier on 4th Down and 1... MSU wins third consecutive bowl game, first time in school history... Final Associated Press poll has MSU ranked #3.
|
|
2012 Bowl Champions
7-6 (53.8%) overall, 3-5 (37.5%) in Big Ten Conference regular season. Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 6th season at MSU). First time MSU has gone to six consecutive bowl games (all under Coach Dantonio).
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Aug. 31
|
BOISE STATE 8:00 PM, ESPN
|
WON (17-13) MSU enters game ranked #13 nationally by Associated Press and initially favored by 6 points (Boise State ranked #24)... Only second time MSU plays on a Friday night at Spartan Stadium (first was 9-2-2011)... Goodyear Blimp in town to cover game... 82° at kick-off... Played under a Blue Moon (second full moon of the month)
|
Sept. 8
|
at Central Michigan 3:30 PM ET, ESPNU
|
WON (41-7) MSU enters game ranked #11 nationally by Associated Press and initially favored by 20 points... First time MSU has ever played at Central Michigan (CMU sets new record for home game attendance of 35,127).
|
Sept. 15
|
NOTRE DAME 8:00 PM, ABC
|
LOST (20-3) MSU enters game ranked #10 nationally by Associated Press and initially favored by 5 points (Notre Dame ranked #20)... Goodyear Blimp in town to cover game.
|
Sept. 22
|
EASTERN MICHIGAN 3:30 PM, Big Ten Network
|
WON (23-7) MSU enters game ranked #21 nationally by Associated Press and initially favored by 33 points... EMU's assistant coach is Mike Hart who in 2007 as a Michigan player, described MSU as being UM's "little brother."
|
Sept. 29
|
OHIO STATE 3:30 PM, ABC
|
LOST (17-16)
Despite Ohio State's higher ranking (#14 nationally by Associated Press), MSU (ranked #20) initially favored by 3 points... ESPN College GameDay pre-game show visits campus near Beaumont Tower
|
Oct. 6 |
at Indiana Noon ET, Big Ten Network
|
WON (31-27)
MSU enters game unranked nationally by Associated Press; initially favored by 16 points... Third time under Mark Dantonio that MSU has come back from a 17-point deficit to win a game
|
Oct. 13 |
IOWA Homecoming, Noon, ESPN or ESPN2
|
LOST (19-16, 2OT) MSU enters game unranked nationally by Associated Press; initially favored by 9 points
|
Oct. 20 |
at Michigan 3:30 PM, Big Ten Network
|
LOST (12-10) Michigan enters game ranked #23 nationally by Associated Press, and initially favored by 10 points (MSU unranked)
|
Oct. 27 |
at Wisconsin 3:30 PM ET, ABC
|
WON (16-13, OT)
Neither team enters game ranked nationally by Associated Press... Wisconsin initially favored by 7 points... MSU snaps Wisconsin's 21-home game winning streak (second longest in nation, behind LSU)... MSU had not won at Wisconsin since 2001
|
Nov. 3 |
NEBRASKA 3:30 PM, ABC
|
LOST (28-24) Nebraska enters game ranked #21 nationally by Associated Press, and initially favored by 2 points (MSU unranked)... With this loss, MSU falls to 0-6 all time against Nebraska... First time Nebraska visits MSU as member of Big Ten Conference
|
Nov. 17 |
NORTHWESTERN
Noon, ESPN or ESPN2
|
LOST (23-20) Neither team enters game ranked nationally by Associated Press... MSU initially favored by 7 points
|
Nov. 24 |
at Minnesota 3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network
|
WON (26-10) Neither team enters game ranked nationally by Associated Press... MSU initially favored by 9 points... With this win, MSU becomes bowl-eligible
|
Dec. 29 |
TEXAS CHRISTIAN Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl 10:15 PM ET, ESPN |
WON (17-16) First time MSU has ever gone to six consecutive bowl games (all under Coach Dantonio)... MSU has longest drive in its bowl history (90 yards)... MSU overcomes 13-point halftime deficit |
|
2011 Bowl Champions
11-3 (78.6%) overall, 7-1 in Big Ten Conference regular season, inaugural Legends Division Champions. Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 5th season at MSU). First year Nebraska is in Big Ten Conference; first Friday night game ever played in Spartan Stadium; first year Big Ten Conference is divided into two divisions; MSU becomes first Legends Division champion and plays in first Big Ten Championship Game; first time MSU has gone to five consecutive bowl games (all under Coach Dantonio); first MSU bowl win for Dantonio
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Sept. 2 |
YOUNGSTOWN STATE 7:30 PM, Big Ten Network |
WON (28-6) MSU starts season ranked #17 nationally by Associated Press... First Friday night game ever played in Spartan Stadium... 84° at kick-off... MSU begins "No Bag" Policy in Spartan Stadium. |
Sept. 10 |
FLORIDA-ATLANTIC Noon, ESPN2 |
WON (44-0) B.J. Cunningham becomes MSU's all-time career pass receiver... MSU's defense allows only one first-down. |
Sept. 17 |
at Notre Dame 3:30 PM ET, NBC |
LOST (31-13) MSU enters game ranked #15 nationally by Associated Press. |
Sept. 24 |
CENTRAL MICHIGAN Noon, ESPNU |
WON (45-7) MSU enters game unranked nationally by Associated Press. |
Oct. 1 |
at Ohio State 3:30 PM, ABC |
WON (10-7) MSU enters game unranked nationally by Associated Press... First MSU victory in Columbus since 1998. |
Oct. 15 |
MICHIGAN Noon, ESPN |
WON (28-14) MSU enters game ranked #23 nationally by Associated Press, UM ranked #11... First time in 49 years MSU has beaten UM four consecutive years (1959-62)... MSU wears special "Pro-Combat" uniform, designed for one-time use by just nine NCAA schools in 2011 season. |
Oct. 22 |
WISCONSIN Homecoming, 8:00 PM, ESPN |
WON (37-31) MSU enters game ranked #15 nationally by Associated Press (#16 in first BCS rankings of the season); Wisconsin ranked #4 (#6 in BCS)... ESPN College GameDay pre-game show visits campus at parking lot south of Munn Ice Arena... Keith Nichol catches Kirk Cousins' "Hail Mary" pass as time expires; Video Replay overturns ruling on field and confirms Nichol's winning touchdown... First time under Mark Dantonio that an MSU team plays without committing a single penalty the entire game. |
Oct. 29 |
at Nebraska Noon ET, ESPN |
LOST (24-3) MSU enters game ranked #9 nationally by Associated Press (#11 in BCS) |
Nov. 5 |
MINNESOTA Noon, Big Ten Network |
WON (31-24) MSU enters game ranked #15 nationally by Associated Press (#17 in BCS) |
Nov. 12 |
at Iowa Noon ET, ESPN2 |
WON (37-21) MSU enters game ranked #13 nationally by Associated Press (#17 in BCS)... Seniors become winningest class in MSU history (34 wins) |
Nov. 19 |
INDIANA Noon, Big Ten Network |
WON (55-3) MSU enters game ranked #12 nationally by Associated Press, highest two-loss team in current AP rankings (#15 in BCS)... MSU earns share of Big Ten's Legends Division title; will play Leaders Division champions in inaugural Big Ten Championship Game on December 3. |
Nov. 26 |
at Northwestern Noon ET, Big Ten Network |
WON (31-17) MSU enters game ranked #11 nationally by Associated Press (#14 in BCS)... Kirk Cousins throws 62nd touchdown pass, surpassing Jeff Smoker for throwing most touchdown passes in MSU history... MSU secures sole possession of Big Ten's Legends Division. |
Dec. 3 |
WISCONSIN Big Ten Championship Game 8:00 PM ET, Fox TV Network |
LOST (42-39) MSU enters game ranked #11 nationally by Associated Press (#13 in BCS)... First year for Big Ten Conference to have two divisions and host a Championship Game between the two. |
Jan. 2, 2012 |
GEORGIA Outback Bowl |
WON (33-30, 3OT) MSU enters game ranked #12 nationally by Associated Press (#17 in BCS)... MSU overcomes 16-point deficit to win in triple overtime by blocking Georgia's field goal attempt... First time MSU has ever gone to five consecutive bowl games (all under Coach Dantonio)... First MSU bowl win for Dantonio. |
|
2010 Big Ten Co-Champions
11-2 (85%) overall, 7-1 in Big Ten Conference (Big Ten Co-champions with Ohio State and Wisconsin). Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 4th season at MSU). First time MSU has ever been 7-0 at home; Dantonio named "Coach of the Year" by Big Ten Conference media; named "Region 3 Coach of the Year" by American Football Coaches Association; MSU finishes season ranked #14 nationally.
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Sept. 4 |
WESTERN MICHIGAN Noon ET, ESPN2 |
WON (38-14) |
Sept. 11 |
at Florida-Atlantic Played at Detroit's Ford Field, Noon ET, ESPNU |
WON (30-17) |
Sept. 18 |
NOTRE DAME 8:00 PM ET, ABC |
WON (34-31 OT) MSU scores game-winning touchdown on fake field goal (nicknamed "Little Giants")... Soon after game, Coach Dantonio suffers heart attack; is admitted to hospital. |
Sept. 25 |
NORTHERN COLORADO Noon ET, Big Ten Network |
WON (45-7) Dantonio recuperates at home; Offensive Coordinator Don Treadwell coaches in interim. |
Oct. 2 |
WISCONSIN 3:30 PM ET, ABC |
WON (34-24) Dantonio watches game on hospital TV after being re-admitted, this time for blood clot in leg; Treadwell coaches... First time Dantonio is 5-0 at MSU. |
Oct. 9 |
at Michigan 3:30 PM ET, ABC |
WON (34-17) Dantonio coaches from Press Box; Treadwell coaches sideline... First time in 43 years MSU has beaten UM three consecutive years (1965-67). |
Oct. 16 |
ILLINOIS Homecoming; Noon ET, Big Ten Network |
WON (26-6) Dantonio again coaches from Press Box; Treadwell coaches sideline... Scottish actor Gerard Butler, who played King Leonidas in major motion picture "300," attends game, entertains crowd. |
Oct. 23 |
at Northwestern Noon ET, ESPN |
WON (35-27) MSU overcomes 17-point 2nd quarter deficit with fake punt (nicknamed "Mousetrap")... Dantonio returns to coaching from sideline, first time since Notre Dame game... First time in 44 years MSU has been 8-0 (1966)... After this win, MSU ranked #5 in BCS; highest BCS ranking ever for MSU. |
Oct. 30 |
at Iowa 3:30 PM ET, ABC/ESPN |
LOST (37-6) |
Nov. 6 |
MINNESOTA Noon ET, Big Ten Network |
WON (31-8) |
Nov. 20 |
PURDUE Noon ET, Big Ten Network |
WON (35-31) Down by 15, MSU scores 22 points in last 11 minutes to win... First time MSU has ever been 7-0 at home. |
Nov. 27 |
at Penn State Noon ET, ESPN2 |
WON (28-22) First win in Happy Valley since 1965... first time MSU has ever been 11-1 in regular season... Seniors become winningest class in MSU history (33 wins)... MSU wins share of Big Ten title, first conference championship since 1990... MSU finishes at #9 in final BCS rankings. |
Jan. 1, 2011 |
ALABAMA Capital One Bowl, Orlando, FL |
LOST (49-7) Alabama coached by former MSU head coach Nick Saban (Dantonio was assistant to Saban at MSU) and former MSU head coach Bobby Williams... Alabama had been ranked #1 for first five weeks of season... After game, MSU Offensive Coordinator Don Treadwell leaves MSU for head coaching job at Miami of Ohio (Treadwell coached four games this season while Dantonio recuperated from heart attack). |
|
2009
6-7 (46%) overall, 4-4 in Big Ten Conference (6th place, tied with Purdue). Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 3rd season at MSU).
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Sept. 5 | MONTANA STATE | WON (44-3) |
Sept. 12 | CENTRAL MICHIGAN | LOST (29-27) |
Sept. 19 | at Notre Dame | LOST (33-30) |
Sept. 26 | at Wisconsin | LOST (38-30) |
Oct. 3 | MICHIGAN | WON (26-20 OT) First consecutive wins over Michigan in 42 years (1966-67). |
Oct. 10 | at Illinois | WON (24-14) |
Oct. 17 | NORTHWESTERN | WON (24-14) |
Oct. 24 | IOWA | LOST (15-13) |
Oct. 31 | at Minnesota | LOST (42-34) |
Nov. 7 | WESTERN MICHIGAN | WON (49-14) |
Nov. 14 | at Purdue | WON (40-37) |
Nov. 21 | PENN STATE | LOST (42-14) |
Jan. 2, 2010 | TEXAS TECH Valero Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, TX | LOST (41-31) MSU plays without numerous key players suspended after November 22 incident at MSU dormitory.
|
|
2008
9-4 (69%) overall, 6-2 in Big Ten Conference (3rd place, behind Co-Champions Penn State and Ohio State). Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 2nd season at MSU). MSU wins every game they were favored to win.
|
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Aug. 30 | at California | LOST (38-31) |
Sept. 6 | EASTERN MICHIGAN | WON (42-10) |
Sept. 13 | FLORIDA-ATLANTIC | WON (17-0) First shut-out by MSU in Spartan Stadium since 1996; first shut-out by MSU since 1999. |
Sept. 20 | NOTRE DAME | WON (23-7) MSU running back Javon Ringer becomes first in Big Ten history to earn conference "Offensive Player of the Week" award three consecutive weeks (games of 205, 282, and 201 yards rushing). |
Sept. 27 | at Indiana | WON (42-29) |
Oct. 4 | IOWA | WON (16-13) |
Oct. 11 | at Northwestern | WON (37-20) |
Oct. 18 | OHIO STATE | LOST (45-7) |
Oct. 25 | at Michigan | WON (35-21) |
Nov. 1 | WISCONSIN | WON (25-24) |
Nov. 8 | PURDUE | WON (21-7) MSU earns first 9-win season since 1999... With 16 wins in his first two seasons, Mark Dantonio becomes winningest second-year MSU football coach. |
Nov. 22 | at Penn State | LOST (49-18) |
Jan. 1, 2009 | GEORGIA Capital One Bowl, Orlando, FL | LOST (24-12) |
|
2007
7-6 (54%) overall, 3-5 in Big Ten Conference (four-way tie for 7th place). Coached by Mark Dantonio (his 1st season at MSU). No MSU loss is by more than 7 points. |
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Sept. 1 | ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM | WON (55-18)... Only game back-up quarterback Nick Foles ever plays in for MSU, and plays sparingly; in 2018, Foles would become MVP of Superbowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles
|
Sept. 8 | BOWLING GREEN | WON (28-17) |
Sept. 15 | PITTSBURGH | WON (17-13) |
Sept. 22 | at Notre Dame | WON (31-14) MSU becomes first team to win six straight at Notre Dame... Mark Dantonio becomes first to win first four games as new head coach at MSU. |
Sept. 29 | at Wisconsin | LOST (37-34) |
Oct. 6 | NORTHWESTERN | LOST (48-41 OT) |
Oct. 13 | INDIANA | WON (52-27) |
Oct. 20 | at Ohio State | LOST (24-17) |
Oct. 27 | at Iowa | LOST (34-27 2OT) |
Nov. 3 | MICHIGAN | LOST (28-24) MSU and Michigan meet on football field for 100th time... After game, UM player Mike Hart describes MSU as being UM's "little brother," to which Dantonio replies, "Mock us all you want. It's not over. It'll never be over." |
Nov. 10 | at Purdue | WON (48-31) MSU becomes bowl-eligible for first time since 2003. |
Nov. 17 | PENN STATE | WON (35-31) MSU overcomes 17-point 3rd quarter deficit to earn 7-5 season and assure bowl assignment. |
Dec. 28 | BOSTON COLLEGE Champs Sports Bowl, Orlando, FL | LOST (24-21) |
|
2006
4-8 overall (33%), 1-7 in Big Ten Conference (tied with Illinois for last place). Coached by John L. Smith (his 4th and last season at MSU; fired after loss to Indiana; remains Head Coach through end of season). First year Big Ten Conference goes to a 12-game regular season. |
DATE | OPPONENT | NOTES |
Sept. 2 | IDAHO | WON (27-17) |
Sept. 9 | EASTERN MICHIGAN | WON (52-20) |
Sept. 16 | at Pittsburgh | WON (38-23) |
Sept. 23 | NOTRE DAME | LOST (40-37) |
Sept. 30 | ILLINOIS | LOST (23-20) |
Oct. 7 | at Michigan | LOST (31-13) |
Oct. 14 | OHIO STATE | LOST (38-7) |
Oct. 21 | at Northwestern | WON (41-38) MSU overcomes 35-point deficit (biggest comeback in NCAA Division 1A history); scores 38 unanswered points. |
Oct. 28 | at Indiana | LOST (46-21) |
Nov. 4 | PURDUE | LOST (17-15) |
Nov. 11 | MINNESOTA | LOST (31-18) |
Nov. 18 | at Penn State | LOST (17-13) |
|