Michigan State’s October 3 trip to Wisconsin shapes up as one of the more telling early Big Ten tests on the Spartans’ 2026 schedule. In this prediction, Michigan State arrives at 3-1 and riding momentum from a thrilling win over Nebraska the week before, but the Badgers are the ones staring at the more urgent situation.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell, who was nearly the Spartans’ coach after Mark Dantonio retired, is projected to be coaching with real pressure on him. He was the leading candidate for Michigan State in 2020 before turning the job down and staying at Cincinnati, then later took the Bearcats to the Peach Bowl and their first College Football Playoff appearance over the next two seasons before landing at Wisconsin in 2022.
Since then, things have not gone as expected. Fickell’s first three seasons in Madison have produced a 17-21 record, and he enters this year on the hot seat.
The projected setup for this game has Wisconsin at 2-2, with losses to Notre Dame and Penn State and wins over Western Illinois and Eastern Michigan. That means a home loss to Michigan State could become a major problem for Fickell.
Still, the prediction here leans toward the Badgers.
Michigan State is picked to lose 26-20, with Wisconsin finding a way to close the game late. The Spartans’ defense is expected to keep doing its job by forcing field goals instead of touchdowns, but a late Badgers score is forecast to make the difference in a hard-fought early October Big Ten matchup.
The result would leave Fickell in place heading into Wisconsin’s week six bye, while Michigan State would need a bounce-back performance the following week to keep its season from sliding.
In Other News...
Michigan State Faces An Awkward Late Roster Question Before Camp
A new age-based NCAA eligibility system has created a late-summer wrinkle across college football, but Michigan State is not lining up to use it. The Spartans have no plans to add players under the rule, in part because their former seniors have already moved on to NFL contracts and waived any remaining eligibility, leaving the roster picture largely settled as camp approaches.
Still, the broader uncertainty has put some teams in an unusual spot, and Michigan State is aware of how messy a last-minute addition could be. Pat Fitzgerald acknowledged the situation is unique and pointed out that anyone arriving late would have a difficult time getting up to speed with the rest of the group, which is one more reason the Spartans appear prepared to move forward with what they have. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan States 2026 Offense Comes Down To One Lingering Concern
Michigan States offensive outlook for 2026 starts with continuity, even after a roster shuffle that leaves the unit slightly smaller than it was a year ago. The Spartans are bringing back 26 players on offense and adding 24 more through transfers and high school recruits, with Alessio Milivojevic expected to return as the starting quarterback. New arrivals are also projected to help fortify the offensive line and inject fresh options into the backfield, which points to a run game that could take a step forward.
The concern comes a little farther out on the depth chart, where the picture is less settled. Tight end and wide receiver both carry some questions after key departures from the 2025 group, and those spots will matter more if the Spartans want the passing game to match the rest of the offense. There is enough talent coming in to keep the ceiling intact, but those two rooms remain the lingering issue as Michigan State tries to build a cleaner, more balanced attack for 2026. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Has 3 Early Reasons To Ignore That Big Ten Projection
Michigan States mens soccer program got a small but notable preseason boost when Miles Merritt, Brandon Munson and Peter Soudan were all named to the 2026 Big Ten Players to Watch List by the conference office. Its the kind of recognition that gives the Spartans some early validation even as the leagues preseason poll slotted them 10th, far behind Washington at No. 1.
The list also points to why Michigan State might not be eager to buy into that projection. Merritt, Munson and Soudan each bring a different kind of value to a roster trying to push upward, and the Spartans will get their first chance to show where they really stand when they open the season against UAlbany. Preseason labels only go so far, but Michigan State has enough on its side to make the conversation interesting early. [Read more 🡒]