Pat Fitzgerald Begins Long Road Back for Michigan State
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Michigan State football enters the Pat Fitzgerald era as a program in need of a genuine rebuild.
The two seasons under Jonathan Smith were a difficult stretch for Spartan fans. A 5-7 record in his first year was disappointing enough, but regressing to 4-8 in year two made it clear that a change was necessary. Now, with Fitzgerald on the Michigan State sideline rather than the visiting one, the work of rebuilding not just the roster but the program's identity has begun.
Where Michigan State Stands According to SP+
ESPN recently released its SP+ rankings for all 134 teams in college football, and the results offer an honest snapshot of where the Spartans currently stand. Michigan State checks in at 67th overall, which places them second-to-last among Big Ten programs. Only Purdue, ranked 82nd, sits below them in the conference.
SP+ weighs four factors: returning production, recent history, recent recruiting, and the effects of a coaching change. Michigan State's offense ranks 61st and its defense 69th, which are manageable positions to build from. The more pressing concern is special teams, which ranks 105th nationally and represents the most significant area of weakness heading into the season.
What Fitzgerald Did This Offseason
Fitzgerald wasted little time overhauling the program. On the roster side, he brought in 30 transfers from across the country, targeting players who fit both his scheme and the competitive mentality he is looking to establish in East Lansing.
The most impactful staff addition may prove to be special teams coordinator LeVar Woods, who spent years at Iowa building one of the most consistently elite special teams units in college football. ESPN's SP+ ranks Iowa's special teams 10th in the country and second in the Big Ten, behind only Penn State. Bringing Woods to East Lansing is a direct response to one of the program's most glaring deficiencies, and it signals that Fitzgerald understands exactly where the gaps are.
Managing Expectations for Year One
Michigan State has not played in a bowl game since the Peach Bowl following the 2021 season, and patience will be required as Fitzgerald gets his footing.
The schedule does not do him any favors. While the Spartans avoid Penn State and Ohio State, they will face Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Illinois, Washington, and Notre Dame. Even the more manageable matchups against Wisconsin and Rutgers do not make this a forgiving slate for a first-year coach returning to the sideline after more than two years away from the game, during which the NIL landscape reshaped college football significantly.
Given all of that, a 5-7 or even 4-8 record that includes competitive performances would represent a reasonable measure of progress in year one. The goal right now should be building habits, establishing culture, and getting Fitzgerald fully up to speed with the modern college game before placing higher expectations on the program.
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Luke Joseph is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in journalism. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of sports and commitment to storytelling, he serves as a general sports reporter On SI, covering the NFL and college athletics with insight and expertise.