Here's a look at the week ahead (September 25-October 1) for Michigan State Athletics:. The Spartans check in at No. 1 in the nation, according to the United Soccer Coaches Top 25. Coming off a week in which the Spartans defeated the 2023 co-Big Ten regular-season champions and a Top 10 team on the road, Michigan State has another difficult slate with a pair of contests against teams undefeated in conference play. MSU, currently one of four teams at 3-0 in Big Ten play, travels to Ohio State (2-0-1 Big Ten) on Thursday before returning home for a Sunday matinee against Rutgers (3-0 Big Ten). At 8-0-2 overall, Michigan State is off to the best start in program history.