3 Most Pivotal Games For Michigan State Football In 2023

It has been a winding road for Michigan State football over the last year. Despite bringing in two promising recruiting classes over the previous two cycles, the Spartans still fell short of a bowl game last season. With many key contributors now gone, there is a wave of younger players who will get their shot in 2023.

Can head coach Mel Tucker get this program back on track by securing bowl eligibility this fall? It may seem the Spartans are losing momentum in recruiting, but a winning season can change that.

According to 247Sports’ Team Talent composite, only five of MSU’s twelve opponents this coming season have a more talented roster than the Spartans — Washington, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Nebraska. That means, based only on talent, Michigan State should win seven games. But, obviously, factors like coaching and scheme have just as much to do with winning as how talented the roster is.

The Spartans have a few opponents, like Central Michigan and Richmond, who most would pencil in as victories. But, which games are the pivotal ones? The ones which will determine whether Michigan State goes bowling this season?

Week 4: Maryland

Maryland has been competitive in the Big Ten East recently, and has finished ahead of Michigan State in the division in two of the past three seasons. Head coach Mike Locksley has improved the Terrapins recruiting and image by increasing their win total each year he’s been there.

Maryland got a huge boost when quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa chose to return for a redshirt senior season. The All-Big Ten signal-caller has been tough against the Spartans in each of the last two seasons, throwing for a combined 664 passing yards. While Michigan State’s defensive backs have improved, Tagovailoa is no easy matchup. Because of the threat the Terps pose through the air, Maryland was able to expose the Spartans rushing defense as well last season.

This Week 4 matchup will be the first Big Ten game for both teams. Michigan State returns most of its production on defense, and looks to take a step forward on that side of the ball. Will MSU’s offense be ready for a high-scoring game? Will the Spartans’ quarterback situation be figured out by Week 4? Michigan State will benefit from this one being played at home, but beating Maryland is no easy task.

Week 5: at Iowa

Michigan State has six home games and a “neutral site” game in Detroit that will serve as a de facto seventh home game. However, three of those games are against Washington, Michigan, and Penn State, where the Spartans will be underdogs. Depending on what Maryland does early in the season, the Terrapins could be favored too at Spartan Stadium. Due to this tough home slate, MSU may need to win multiple road games to earn bowl eligibility.

Outside of trips to Rutgers and Indiana, Iowa may be the likeliest road win for the Spartans this fall. The Hawkeyes have a defense that lost the majority of its production, and an offense with more questions than answers. Kinnick Stadium is one of toughest environments in the conference, but MSU can take advantage of Iowa’s question marks early in the season.

Iowa has brought in some familiar faces that the Spartans have faced in the past in quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end Erick All, who transferred from Michigan. McNamara and All, along with former Ohio State wide receiver Kaleb Brown, have been the talk of the offseason in Iowa City. The Hawkeye faithful hope that this trio of transfers can lift Iowa’s offense out of the basement of the Big Ten after Iowa had the lowest scoring offense in the conference a year ago.

This one figures to be a low scoring game, so Michigan State’s new starter at quarterback will have to take care of the football and avoid turnovers.

Week 10: Nebraska

Nebraska is one of the most unknown programs going into the 2023 season. New head coach Matt Rhule has had a lot of success at the college level, but can he revive a long-dormant program like Nebraska? He already has high expectations to bring them back to prominence and compete for the Big Ten West.

MSU and Nebraska are both going to have new starting quarterbacks this season, which is the biggest question surrounding each program. The Cornhuskers have added 11 transfers, many of which will contribute right away. Nebraska is close to Michigan State in the team talent composite, with a slight edge. Will Rhule have a breakthrough season in his first year? Will home field advantage be the deciding factor for the Spartans?

Michigan State and Nebraska play late in the season, meaning both teams will have found what works and what doesn’t. Bowl eligibility could very well be on the line for both programs. With the Spartans having one of the toughest schedules in the country, this game is a must win.