Michigan State at Rutgers - 2026 Matchup Preview
Michigan State logo Michigan State Spartans at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsRutgers logo
Saturday, November 28th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
SHI Stadium - Piscataway, NJ

 
Spartans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Pat Fitzgerald (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 25 - 30 (22 - 33 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
RUTG is playing their 7th straight game
MSU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Rutgers -3.5  (SP+ RUTG -4)
Projected Score: MSU: 28 - RUTG: 31 (59)
RUTG Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
MSU Travel: 6535 miles
Scarlet Knights (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (99 - 108)
Avg Score : 29 - 32 (35 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Michigan State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Michigan State vs Toledo-3
Sat 9/12 Michigan State vs Eastern Michigan-13
Sat 9/19 Michigan State at Notre Dame+31
Sat 9/26 Michigan State vs Nebraska+5
Sat 10/3 Michigan State at Wisconsin+3.5
Sat 10/10 Michigan State vs Illinois+10.5
Sat 10/17 Michigan State vs Northwestern+3
Sat 10/24 Michigan State at UCLA+2.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Michigan State at Michigan+20
Sat 11/14 Michigan State vs Washington+18
Sat 11/21 Michigan State vs Oregon+25
Sat 11/28 Michigan State at Rutgers+3.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Michigan State's Schedule
Rutgers's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Rutgers vs Massachusetts-30.5
Fri 9/11 Rutgers at Boston College-1
Sat 9/19 Rutgers vs USC+19.5
Sat 9/26 Rutgers vs Howard-22.5
Sat 10/3 Rutgers vs Indiana+27.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Rutgers at Maryland+5.5
Sat 10/24 Rutgers at Northwestern+7
Sat 10/31 Rutgers vs Michigan+14
Sat 11/7 Rutgers at Wisconsin+3
Sat 11/14 Rutgers vs Nebraska+4.5
Sat 11/21 Rutgers at Penn State+18.5
Sat 11/28 Rutgers vs Michigan State-3.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Rutgers's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MSU#97 (.12)42% (79)24.642% (84)2.56 (128)12342% (67)2233.75 (64)#104 (.21)45% (115)29.947% (121)44% (103)3.91 (93)44.910.8
RUTG#37 (.21)47% (20)28.746% (41)3.03 (55)14247% (18)2663.38 (102)#134 (.31)47% (128)31.847% (113)49% (132)4.45 (131)32.60.91
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
RUTG0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MSU Offense1224.621.641.7%3.751193451232233.847%51%42%42%18%.12
RUTG Defense1231.830.347.4%4.451 - - - - - 50%49%47%49%12%.31
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MSU Defense1229.932.845.2%3.910.8 - - - - - 49%49%47%44%14%.21
RUTG Offense1228.735.446.8%3.380.9234081422663.749%50%46%47%16%.21

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Michigan State1230:1118.835%44%5.344.910.84.71.8127.3
Rutgers1232:3123.343%62%4.132.60.913.90.9328.1
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MSU Offense1247% (90)42% (84)32.3122.73.816 (60).06 (96)2.56 (128)65% (109)13% (131)0.95 (73)
RUTG Defense1250% (64)47% (113) - - - - .26 (134)3.15 (110)66% (28)9% (106)1.13 (131)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MSU Defense1249% (53)47% (121) - - - - .16 (101)2.87 (66)81% (125)9% (97)0.91 (44)
RUTG Offense1249% (74)46% (41)38.8141.53.719 (49).09 (80)3.03 (55)75% (46)9% (44)0.86 (117)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MSU Offense1251% (52)42% (67)2031.5222.77.111.120 (50)6 (34).24 (74)1.4 (112)30% (54)30% (78).37 (44)5% (23)2.1 (49)
RUTG Defense1249% (74)49% (132) - - - - - - 5 (100).44 (134)1.6 (66)30% (96)34% (118).36 (100)4% (133)2.1 (89)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MSU Defense1249% (83)44% (103) - - - - - - 5 (100).32 (103)1.5 (34)29% (111)30% (74).33 (86)5% (114)2.1 (88)
RUTG Offense1250% (62)47% (18)19.531.5266.18.513.722 (42)7 (60).34 (39)1.5 (89)29% (36)36% (20).33 (57)7% (110)1.8 (129)

Michigan State's Power Ratings
Michigan State's Power Rating: -0.25  #60
Michigan State's Offense Rating: 12.05  #61
Michigan State's Defense Rating: 17.30  #69
2026 Talent Rating: 786.00  #59
Blue Chip Ratio: 12%  #6
Michigan State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Michigan State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.4  #82
Michigan State's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.6  #70
Michigan State's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.7  #81

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Michigan State: -0.25   Rutgers: 1.44

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Michigan State: -3.4   Rutgers: 1.0




Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 1.44  #70
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 13.85  #44
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 21.97  #104
2026 Talent Rating: 812.00  #52
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Rutgers's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Rutgers's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.0  #72
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.6  #39
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.7  #95

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Michigan State Scoring
Offense: 24.6 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.6
Defense: 29.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 32.8

Michigan State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Rutgers 31
Michigan State 28

Projected Total Points: 59
Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 35.4
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.3

Rutgers's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/30Michigan State14Rutgers41Michigan State -1.5Rutgers46.5Over
202310/14Rutgers27Michigan State24Rutgers -4Michigan State38.5Over
202211/12Michigan State27Rutgers21Michigan State -10.0Rutgers41.0Over
202110/09Rutgers13Michigan State31Michigan State -4.5Michigan State50.0Under
202010/24Michigan State27Rutgers38Michigan State -9.5Rutgers45.0Over
201911/23Rutgers0Michigan State27Michigan State -22.5Michigan State43.5Under
201811/24Michigan State14Rutgers10Michigan State -24.5Rutgers37.0Under
201711/25Rutgers7Michigan State40Michigan State -14Michigan State42.5Over
201611/12Michigan State49Rutgers0Michigan State -15.5Michigan State53.5Under
201510/10Rutgers24Michigan State31Michigan State -17Rutgers56.0Under
201411/22Michigan State45Rutgers3Michigan State -22Michigan State0
200409/04Rutgers19Michigan State14
200309/06Michigan State44Rutgers28
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rutgers455 Overs
Michigan State965 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams7 - 63 - 82 - 51 - 3
Road Teams6 - 78 - 33 - 15 - 2

(#60) MSU at (#70) RUTG
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatMSURUTG
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #60 #70
SP+SP+ #82 #72
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #59 #52
Blue ChipsBC% #6 #24
Michigan State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
MSU OffRUTG Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #79 #128
ExplosiveExp #97 #114
PPAPPA #97 #134
PowerPwr #61 #104
SP+SP+ #70 #95
Pts POPPO #64 #131
HavocHav #115 #125
Michigan State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
MSU OffRUTG Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #84 #113
Run ExplRExp #73 #131
PPAExp #96 #134
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #128 #110
Stuff RateStuff #132 #62
TackleTak - NR
Michigan State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
MSU OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #67 #132
Pass ExplPExl #112 #66
PPAExp #74 #134
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #131 #106
DB HavocDB #23 #133
Rutgers on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffMSU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #20 #115
ExplosiveExp #89 #30
PPAPPA #37 #104
PowerPwr #44 #69
SP+SP+ #39 #81
Pts POPPO #102 #93
HavocHav #76 #110
Rutgers Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffMSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #41 #121
Run ExplRExp #117 #44
PPAExp #80 #101
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #55 #66
Stuff RateStuff #21 #104
TackleTak - NR
Rutgers Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffMSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #18 #103
Pass ExplPExl #89 #34
PPAExp #39 #103
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #97
DB HavocDB #110 #114
Program Comparison
RUTG 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

MSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in SHI Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Rutgers beat Michigan State in 2024 (41-14)
Rutgers beat Michigan State in 2023 (27-24)

  
MSU's OC Nick Sheridan (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Alessio Milivojevic11117364%12671037.3
Cam Fancher (Tr)417257%333004.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Camryn Edwards2101240155.973
Brandon Tullis6829744.435
Jaziun Patterson (Tr)6029604.917
Cam Fancher (Tr)3117015.525
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chrishon Mccray24330313.845
Camryn Edwards1918619.834
KK Smith (Tr)8123215.434
Brandon Tullis118207.524

View Michigan State's Full Roster

MSU's DC Joe Rossi (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jordan Hall885321
Kenny Soares Jr. (Tr)804162
Dion Crawford (Tr)795431
Malik Spencer523215
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dion Crawford (Tr)795431
Jordan Hall885321
Malik Spencer523215
Anelu Lafaele72210
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Malik Spencer523215
Michael Richard Jr.385003
Tre Bell (Tr)364002

RUTG's OC Kirk Ciarrocca (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Lonergan (Tr)19028467%20251257.1
AJ Surace4944%58206.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antwan Raymond2441241135.151
Clay Thevenin (Tr)13163484.850
Ja'shon Benjamin6832824.819
Edd Guerrier72503.69
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
KJ Duff601084718.172
Clay Thevenin (Tr)3326908.230
Kenny Fletcher2623609.139
Antwan Raymond18225212.548

View Rutgers's Full Roster

RUTG's DC Robb Smith (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Kaj Sanders640001
Abram Wright531012
Rondarius Porter395244
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
J'Dan Burnett (Tr)2810711
Malachi Davis (Tr)3510681
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Rondarius Porter395244
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rondarius Porter395244
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Abram Wright531012