Michigan State football has a long tradition of challenging itself with at least one tough nonconference opponent each season, and that tradition will continue for the foreseeable future.
The Spartans’ non-conference rosters are set by the 2026 season, and MSU has also set up a handful of home-and-home series that will run through 2032.
Next season, Michigan State will begin with back-to-back home games against Mid-American Conference opponents in Western Michigan (September 2) and Akron (September 10). The Spartans then set out on a voyage west to Washington (September 17).
This is Michigan State’s first meeting with the Huskies since 1997, when Washington defeated MSU 51-23 in the Aloha Bowl. Michigan State is 1-2 all time against the Huskies.
The Spartans will benefit from an all-home non-conference table in 2023 when they defeat Central Michigan (September 2) and Richmond (September 9) ahead of the back half of the home-and-home game against Washington (September 9). September) align 16).
In 2024, the state of Michigan will host Florida Atlantic (August 31) and Louisiana (September 14) before traveling to Boston College on September 21. This is the first matchup between the Spartans and the Eagles since 2007, when Boston College defeated MSU, 24-21, in the Champs Sports Bowl. The Eagles hold an all-time 4-1-1 record over the Spartans.
Michigan State will open its 2025 season at home against Western Michigan (Aug. 30) and Youngstown State (September 6) before Boston College comes to East Lansing on Sept. 20 to wrap up the home-and-home.
In 2026, the Spartans are renewing a classic rivalry for the first time since 2017. After the season opener with home games against Toledo (September 5) and Eastern Michigan (September 12), the state of Michigan will travel to Notre Dame for a date to be announced later.
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The Spartans and Fighting Irish have gone to war 77 times since 1897. Notre Dame has an all-time 47-1-29 advantage in the series, and the Fighting Irish won the last fight between the two schools in 2017, 38-18.
Michigan state’s non-conference plans from this point on have yet to be finalized, but Notre Dame will complete the home-and-home with the Spartans by coming to East Lansing in 2027. MSU will also host Central Michigan on September 11, 2027.
Michigan State has no non-conference games scheduled for 2028 but will be a home game against Oregon on Sept. 8, 2029 when they host the Ducks.
Michigan State and Oregon last met in the 2018 RedBox Bowl — a game Spartan fans and college football fans in general would like to forget — with the Ducks prevailing in a 7-6 snooze fest. MSU is 3-4 all time against Oregon.
The Spartans will host Central Michigan (Aug. 31) to open the 2030 season before heading to Eugene on September 7 to complete the home-and-home with Oregon.
With no non-conference games scheduled for 2031, Michigan State is scheduled to travel to BYU in 2032. This will be the Spartans’ first trip to Provo. Michigan State and BYU have only met on the grid once in their history, a 31-14 win for the Cougars at East Lansing in 2016.
So, there it is: Every future planned non-conference opponent for Michigan State through 2032. Which matchup intrigues you the most?
Twitter: @mlounsberry_SI