CBS Sports has released its latest 1-138 college football rankings, and Michigan State finds itself positioned at No.66. The ranking places the Spartans near the foot of the Big Ten conference, ahead of only Purdue among conference peers.
A New Era Begins
The ranking comes as the program welcomes a new head coach, Pat Fitzgerald, who takes the helm for the upcoming season. Fitzgerald, previously a longtime assistant at a Power Five program, inherits a team that has not reached a bowl game in four years.
Adding to the modest expectations, the betting line for the Spartans’ win total sits at 3.5, suggesting oddsmakers anticipate a season with limited victories. The over/under figure underscores the low projections for the roster.
Michigan State is slated to open its 2026 campaign on September 4 against Toledo, a non‑conference opponent that sits at No.80 in the same CBS Sports poll. The matchup will serve as the first test of Fitzgerald’s early‑season adjustments.
While the rankings reflect a challenging landscape, the Spartans hope to use the non‑conference opener as a springboard toward building momentum. The season will be closely watched as the new coaching staff seeks to reshape the program’s trajectory.