As the countdown to college football season continues, Michigan State fans have plenty to look forward to—and a few games to circle on the calendar. The Spartans enter 2026 with a new head coach, Pat Fitzgerald, and a burning desire to snap a four-year bowl drought. But if they're going to make it back to the postseason, they'll have to navigate a schedule packed with playoff contenders and bowl-hungry opponents.

From season openers to rivalry showdowns, let's break down Michigan State's 2026 opponents—ranked from easiest to hardest matchup.

12. Eastern Michigan
Chris Creighton has been the most successful coach in Eastern Michigan history, but the last two seasons have shown signs of decline. The transfer portal has hit MAC programs hard, and the Eagles are no exception. This is the clear front-runner for the Spartans' most winnable game.

11. Toledo
The Rockets have been a MAC powerhouse, but longtime head coach Jason Candle left for UConn this offseason, leaving a cloud of uncertainty. While Toledo could still pull off an upset in the season opener, the talent gap between the MAC and the Big Ten makes this one of the easier matchups on paper.

10. Rutgers
This late-season road game could turn into a battle for bowl eligibility—for both teams. But I'm not sold on the Scarlet Knights heading into 2026. If Rutgers is out of contention by November, this becomes a much more manageable game for Michigan State. Still, it's a tricky one, and it shows just how tough this schedule really is.

Stay tuned for the rest of the rankings, where things get even more intense.