MSU’s Track Record Coming Out of Bye Weeks

The Michigan State Spartans have reached their first bye week of the 2025 season.

This off week is a chance for Jonathan Smith and his staff to evaluate how things have gone through the first four games of the season and see what they can do when play resumes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Oct. 4.

MSU sits at 3-1 this season, which is the same record they had through four games last season. However, things got derailed after that point, and the team won just two more games and missed a bowl for the third consecutive season.

Smith and his staff are hoping to avoid that fate in 2025, as many fans would be encouraged by a bowl appearance in his second season.

With a good 2026 recruiting class and an athletic director who wants to funnel money into the program, things could be looking up for Smith’s program in year two if they make a bowl.

How have bye weeks fared for MSU in the past, and what can we learn about them moving forward?

MSU bye weeks since 2010

Nov 12, 2011; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan State Spartans coach Mark Dantonio reacts during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Michigan State defeated Iowa 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Games after the bye have been fairly kind for the Spartans, as they have a 9-8 record in the following week since 2010. Formerly known as the ‘open date,’ MSU is often recharged and ready to take on its opponent.

The Spartans have wins against Purdue, Michigan twice, Nebraska, Eastern Michigan, Notre Dame, Indiana, Northwestern, and Iowa. They have losses to Northwestern, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, Illinois twice, Michigan, and Rutgers.

Sep 6, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith walks across the field following a double-overtime victory over Boston College at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images | Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

MSU has obviously dropped off as a program in recent years, as post-bye week losses have piled up in the last five years compared to the previous 10. A win against the Cornhuskers on the road in a tough environment could turn things around for Smith and his program.

The Spartans have averaged 30 points per game in matchups after the bye week while allowing 27.5, so the team is playing in close games with the offense refreshed and the defense still waking up a bit.

Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith watches game action against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

It has been fairly even for the Spartans after a week off in the last 15 years, so the numbers may not indicate much about what to expect against Nebraska in two weeks.

The bottom line is that fans want to see a win and hope a refreshed MSU team can deliver one.

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