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Michigan State Spartans Quick Facts
Date Of Game: Oct. 10 at Michigan State (Week 6)
All-Time Series: Michigan leads 71-36-5
First Meeting: U-M 39, MSU 0 (Oct. 12, 1898 at Ann Arbor)
Last Meeting: U-M 44, MSU 10 (Nov. 16 at Ann Arbor)
Head Coach: Mel Tucker, 0-0 at MSU (1st year) and 5-7 overall (2nd year)
2019 In Review: 7-6, 4-5 Big Ten (5th East)
Final 2019 Ranking: Unranked
Returning Starters: 10 (6 offense, 3 defense, 1 specialist)
Last Bowl Appearance: 2019 (Pinstripe Bowl vs. Wake Forest, W 27-21)
Following former head coach Mark Dantonio’s unceremonious exit from Michigan State this February, the Spartans are looking for a breath of fresh air, and they’re hoping new head man Mel Tucker can bring just that. Dantonio resigned from the program amid off-field controversy and a dip in on-field production ever since a 2015 College Football Playoff appearance.
Tucker, who went 5-7 in his lone season at the helm of Colorado football, has an uphill battle to turn things around, inheriting a roster in which top notch talent is few and far between.
The strength of a Spartan club that finished 7-6 with a Pinstripe Bowl win last season was its defense. The unit finished No. 18 nationally in total defense. But, key departures make having even a solid group a challenge for MSU in 2020. Defensive end Kenny Willekes was the leader the last two seasons, and was tabbed as first-team All-Big Ten both years. He’s off to the Minnesota Vikings after five seasons in East Lansing. Cornerback Josiah Scott is gone to graduation, too. He led the squad in pass break-ups (8) and interceptions (3) a year ago.
