Michigan State Football News: Ranking the Toughest Challenges for Michigan State Football in 2024

Michigan State football is gearing up for a challenging season, and fans are eager to know which opponents will pose the toughest tests.

With the season opener against Florida Atlantic approaching, it’s time to break down the schedule and rank the opponents by difficulty.

The Spartans face a mix of formidable and manageable teams this year. Here’s a look at the toughest to easiest matchups on their schedule:

1. Oregon

2. Ohio State

3. Michigan

4. Iowa

5. Maryland

6. Rutgers

7. Boston College

8. Illinois

9. Indiana

10. Purdue

11. Florida Atlantic

12. Prairie View A&M

Oregon and Ohio State are at the top of the list, both ranked among the best teams in the country. Oregon edges out Ohio State as the toughest opponent due to the Spartans having to travel for that game.

Following closely are Michigan and Iowa. Michigan presents a tough challenge, while Iowa is a home game where the Spartans might have a better chance of securing a win. They round out the preseason top 25 opponents on the Spartans' schedule.

At the bottom of the list, Florida Atlantic and Prairie View A&M are the most favorable matchups for Michigan State. These games should be wins if the Spartans aim to qualify for a bowl game.

The middle of the schedule features teams that are evenly matched with Michigan State. These games could go either way and will be crucial for determining the Spartans' season outcome.

The early road game against Maryland will be a significant test. A win there could set a positive tone for the rest of the season, while a loss might raise concerns about the team's direction.

As the season unfolds, Michigan State will need to navigate these matchups carefully to achieve their goals.