Michigan State is set to open its Big Ten slate at home against Wisconsin, a matchup that has already captured the attention of college football fans across the nation. The Spartans will be looking to break a three‑game losing streak against the Badgers, but the odds are stacked in Wisconsin’s favor.
At the center of the conversation is Pat Fitzgerald, the former Northwestern head coach who was hired earlier this offseason to lead the Spartans. Fitzgerald, who guided Northwestern to a series of breakthrough seasons in the Big Ten, brings a reputation for disciplined play and a commitment to developing talent from within the conference.
The 2025 campaign was a rough one for Michigan State, as the team slipped to a 3‑8 record and dropped its final eight games. The roster was stripped of key contributors, including star receiver Nick Marsh and leading rusher Makhi Frazier, leaving a void at both the passing and running positions.
A New Offensive Blueprint
Fitzgerald’s response has been to lean on the transfer portal, securing UConn running back Cam Edwards as the centerpiece of a new ground attack. The coaching staff believes that a power‑run scheme built around Edwards can restore balance to the offense and control the tempo against Big Ten defenses.
The schedule ahead presents a steep climb, with conference road trips to Indiana, Illinois and Nebraska looming. In that context, Fitzgerald has publicly set a modest but realistic target: to secure at least three conference victories as a foundation for the rebuild.
While oddsmakers project a comfortable 31‑13 win for Wisconsin, the Spartans hope that the new offensive identity will keep the game closer than the numbers suggest. The early season test will be a barometer for how quickly the program can shift from a year of struggle to a trajectory of improvement.