A few years ago I took a look at the Spartans’ future non-conference opponents and I’m back again to re-rank those opponents.
Michigan State has historically played a tough non-conference schedule and the next few years shouldn’t be any different. The Spartans have matchups with Washington, Oregon, BYU and Boston College all on their and future schedules and plenty of other intriguing matchups.
Here’s my ranking of the 13 known future non-conference opponents on Michigan State’s schedule based on purely how intrigued and interested I am in the match-up:
13
Youngstown State
When: 2025 (home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 1
FCS opponents don’t generally draw a ton of interest and intrigue, especially if they’ve recently been on your schedule (Michigan State played Youngstown State in 2011, 2013 and 2021). So, this isn’t a shot at the Penguins but they simply don’t pique a ton of interest as a fan.
12
Richmond
When: 2023 (home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 2
Richmond is the only other FCS team on the Spartans future schedules, and historically is a solid program. The Spiders have a pair of upsets over FBS power five teams (Virginia in 2016 and Duke in 2011) in the last decade so maybe Richmond can hang with the Spartans in this match-up. But I like Michigan State’s chances against the Spiders this fall.
11
Toledo
When: 2026 (home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 2
Michigan State has never played Toledo before so this match-up in 2026 will be the first ever between these programs. Toledo has been solid on a consistent basis and even knocked off the Wolverines in the Big House not too long ago. But this still isn’t a particularly sexy matchup for the Spartans.
10
Louisana
When: 2024 (home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 3
This matchup had a little bit more juice a few years ago when Louisana was coming off a 10-1 season that included an upset of Iowa State. But former head coach Billy Napier has since left the Ragin Cajuns for Florida, and this matchup simply doesn’t have as much sizzle as it once did.
9
Florida Atlantic
When: 2024 (home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 3
FAU has moved up to the American Athletic Conference and is now led by former Texas head coach Tom Herman. So there’s some juice around the Owls right now — but for Spartans’ fans (and myself) this isn’t a particularly enticing matchup for Michigan State.
8
Eastern Michigan
When: 2026 (home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 4
Eastern Michigan has traditionally been the weakest of the three directional Michigan schools from the MAC. But the Eagles have been much better under head coach Chris Creighton and are no longer a bottom-feeder in the MAC. But who knows if that will remain to be the case by 2026…
7
Central Michigan
When: 2023, 2027 & 2030 (all at home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 4
Central Michigan has been a regular on the Michigan State schedule since the 90’s and there are three more meetings lined up in the next 10 years. Some of the luster in these match-ups has been lost since the Spartans and Chippewas play each other so often, but an in-state battle always piques some interest.
6
Western Michigan
When: 2025 & 2028 (both at home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 4
Like with Central Michigan, the Broncos have become a regular foe for the Spartans over the years. However, Western Michigan has recently been more consistent than Central so they are one spot higher on my interest rankings.
5
Boston College
When: 2024 (away) & 2025 (home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 5
Michigan State and Boston College have experienced similar success over the years and should be on relatively the same competition level when these two teams in 2024 and 2025. Heading to Boston will be a fun early season trip for Spartans’ fans and will provide a nice test for Michigan State in what could be the first season under Tucker where the Spartans have truly high expectations.
4
BYU
When: 2032 (away)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 6
Michigan State was supposed to head to Provo this past season but COVID-19 resulted in the cancellation of that game — which was probably for the best with how good BYU looked in 2020. That game has been rescheduled for 2032 so it’ll be a long time before the Spartans head out to the Utah mountains — but it should be a fun match-up when it finally is here.
3
Oregon
When: 2029 (home) & 2030 (away)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 8
Oregon is one of the college football powers and will always draw intrigue when they’re on your schedule. That is the case now and I’m sure it’ll be the same thing in 2029 and 2030 when the Ducks and Spartans link up once again.
2
Washington
When: 2023 (home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 9
Michigan State went out to Seattle last year and it didn’t go too well for the Spartans. But the Huskies will be making a return trip to Spartan Stadium this fall, and give Michigan State a chance at revenge. This should be a fun matchup and a true test of how good (or bad) Michigan State will be in 2023.
1
Notre Dame
When: 2026 (away) & 2027 (home)
Interest Rating (out of 10): 10
Michigan State-Notre Dame used to be a regular match-up that fans would circle on the schedule every year. Sadly, these two programs only play every few years now and the next battle between the Spartans and Fighting Irish won’t be until 2026.
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