The Wolverines are set to host their arch rivals in a Week 9 Big Ten clash that many analysts already label a foregone conclusion. Michigan enters the game with a top‑tier roster, a coaching staff that has consistently recruited at the highest level, and a statistical edge that makes a 35‑20 victory appear likely.
The Spartans, by contrast, endured a season that placed them near the bottom of the conference in almost every offensive metric. In 2025 they ranked 89th in points scored and 99th in total offense, while their defense allowed the 104th most points and sat 72nd in overall defensive efficiency.
A New Direction for the Spartans
Adding to the woes, the team lost several key playmakers, including receivers Nick Marsh and Makhi Frazier, who transferred to Indiana and Ole Miss respectively, and quarterback Aidan Chiles, who departed for the NFL draft. Their replacement, Alessio Milivojevic, posted modest numbers — 1,267 yards, a 64.2% completion rate, ten touchdowns and three interceptions — figures that mirror Chiles’ own production.
The offensive line, which managed only 22 sacks all season, struggled to protect the pocket, a problem that new coordinator Nick Sheridan from Alabama hopes to address with a revamped pro‑style scheme. Defensively, the line remains thin, though linebacker Jordan Hall returns as the leading tackler, providing a modest anchor for a unit that finished 72nd in total defense.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who took over the program, is attempting to revive the hard‑nosed, defense‑first identity that defined the Mark Dantonio era. While the coaching staff brings fresh ideas, the limited talent pool suggests that a rapid turnaround will be difficult, leaving the 2026 season as a rebuilding year.