Michigan State's 2024 Football Schedule: Revenge Games, Heavyweights, and Familiar Faces
The 2024 season is shaping up to be a defining chapter for Michigan State football - and not just because it marks the beginning of the Pat Fitzgerald era in East Lansing. The Spartans’ full schedule features a mix of revenge narratives, heavyweight opponents, and some intriguing reunions, all of which set the stage for a season that could either jumpstart a new era or test its foundation early.
While the Big Ten will officially announce conference game dates on Tuesday, January 27th at 5:30 PM EST on Big Ten Network, Michigan State’s non-conference slate is already locked in - and it wastes no time throwing the new-look Spartans into the fire.
Non-Conference: A Familiar Start, Then a National Test
Michigan State opens the season on September 5th at home against the Toledo Rockets. That’s followed by another home game a week later against Eastern Michigan. On paper, these two MAC matchups might seem like a soft launch for a new coaching staff, but anyone who’s followed college football long enough knows better - MAC teams don’t roll over, especially early in the season when they’ve got everything to prove.
But the real early-season spotlight comes in Week 3, when the Spartans travel to South Bend to take on Notre Dame - a top-five team in most early preseason projections. That’s a massive test for a program in transition.
It’s also a chance to make a national statement. Win or even compete well in that environment, and Michigan State instantly earns credibility under Fitzgerald.
The Road Through the Big Ten
Once conference play begins, the Spartans will hit the road for four Big Ten matchups: Rutgers, Wisconsin, UCLA, and Michigan.
That’s a coast-to-coast tour that includes a trip to the Rose Bowl to face UCLA and the always-heated rivalry game in Ann Arbor. None of these are easy venues - Camp Randall in Madison and the Big House in Ann Arbor are two of the toughest places to play in the country - but in terms of schedule balance, it could be worse. Michigan State avoids some of the most brutal road environments like Penn State’s White Out or a trip to Columbus.
Home Turf: Revenge Games and National Contenders
The real drama, though, might unfold back in East Lansing.
The Spartans will host Illinois, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, and Washington - a lineup that includes two top-five preseason teams and one of the most personal matchups on the entire Big Ten calendar.
That game? Northwestern.
Pat Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons as the face of Northwestern football before his dismissal. Now, just a couple of years later, he’ll be staring across the field at the program he once led.
That’s a revenge game if there ever was one. But it’s not just Fitzgerald who’ll have something to prove - former Spartan quarterback Aidan Chiles is now the man under center for the Wildcats.
After a rocky departure from East Lansing, he’ll be looking to make his own statement.
Then there’s Oregon. The Ducks are projected to be a national title contender and bring one of the most dynamic offenses in the country. That game could be a measuring stick for Michigan State - not just in terms of talent, but in terms of how quickly Fitzgerald’s system is taking hold.
Familiar Faces in New Places
The Northwestern game isn’t the only time Michigan State will see a former quarterback on the other side of the field. In fact, they’ll face three of them this season.
- Noah Kim will lead Eastern Michigan into Spartan Stadium in Week 2.
- Aidan Chiles, as mentioned, is now at Northwestern.
- Katin Houser will be calling the shots for Illinois when the Illini come to town.
That’s a unique wrinkle - three former Spartans, all starting quarterbacks, all now opponents. It adds emotional layers to games that already carry significance in the standings.
Who’s Missing?
Just as notable as who’s on the schedule is who isn’t. Michigan State won’t face Ohio State or Indiana this season.
Skipping the Buckeyes - the defending Big Ten champions in each of the last two seasons - is a fortunate break for a program looking to rebuild. That’s one less juggernaut to deal with, and one more chance to stack wins in a conference that’s never been deeper.
The Bottom Line
This schedule is no cakewalk, but it’s also not a gauntlet designed to crush a rebuilding team. There are opportunities here - for statement wins, for personal redemption, and for a program trying to reestablish itself on the national stage.
With two top-five teams on the slate, three former quarterbacks lining up against them, and a head coach returning to face his old team, Michigan State’s 2024 season is already full of storylines. Now, it’s just a matter of how the Spartans write the next chapter.