Michigan State enters this Big Ten season with a different kind of buzz under Pat Fitzgerald. The Spartans are no longer being talked about in the same breath as the old Mark Dantonio-era powers, but there’s still enough talent here to make this team worth watching closely.
The league around them is massive and loaded, with Ohio State, Oregon, and last year’s national champion, Indiana, sitting at the top of the conversation. That leaves Michigan State in a spot where expectations are lower than they used to be, but that can also make a team dangerous if the pieces start clicking.
The defense is the first place to look. Jordan Hall, Kenny Soares Jr., and Charles Brantley stand out as the key names on that side of the ball. If that group takes a real step forward in 2026, bowl eligibility starts to look very reachable.
There’s reason to keep an eye on the offense too. Alessio Milivojevic gives the Spartans a quarterback with real upward potential, and he could end up being one of the better passers in the Big Ten. Cam Edwards is expected to lead the ground game, and the offensive line has been upgraded through the transfer portal.
For Michigan State, the sweet spot this year feels like a season that lands somewhere around seven or eight wins. That would mean the Spartans are competitive, capable, and hard to brush aside. It would also mean they’re the kind of team that can make life uncomfortable for opponents like Notre Dame, Oregon, and Washington.
And that’s where the upside gets interesting. A late-season upset over a ranked Oregon or Washington team would fit the kind of identity Fitzgerald wants to build in East Lansing. Playing spoiler against playoff-caliber teams while hitting the program’s ceiling could turn this into the kind of foundational season that gives Michigan State something real to build on.
In Other News...
Pat Fitzgerald Era Puts Michigan State's Breakout Candidates In Focus
Michigan States roster enters Pat Fitzgeralds first season with a different kind of spotlight, one that falls as much on the next wave of contributors as it does on the familiar names. The Spartans have pieces in place from both the returning group and the transfer market, with Alessio Milivojevic expected to handle the quarterback job and Cam Edwards in line to be the lead back after arriving from UConn. Around them, the staff is sorting out how the rest of the offense and defense fit together as the new era takes shape.
What makes the upcoming months especially interesting is how many players could be positioned to take a jump if the pieces click early. Receiver Chrishon McCray and linebacker Jordan Hall are among the established contributors who can help steady things, while Anelu Lafaele is one of the names drawing breakout buzz as Michigan State looks for impact beyond the obvious starters. For a program starting fresh under Fitzgerald, the real intrigue may come from which of those candidates turns promise into production once the season begins. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Dantonios Presence Around Michigan State Says Plenty About This Era
Mark Dantonio has been around Michigan State football enough this offseason to remind people that even in retirement, some voices still carry real weight in East Lansing. The former Spartans coach has been spending time with Pat Fitzgeralds program and recently spoke to the team, a sign that his connection to the school and its football culture remains intact long after his own sideline days ended.
For Fitzgerald, having Dantonio around is more than a ceremonial touchpoint. The relationship between the two is described as respectful and beneficial, with Dantonio offering advice and motivation while backing the current leadership. In a program that has long valued continuity and identity, his presence says plenty about the kind of standards Michigan State still wants around its football operation. [Read more 🡒]