Michigan State football: 2025 schedule and key games
Michigan State football’s schedule and key games for the 2025 season.
The start of the Michigan State football season is officially here.
Michigan State kicks off their 2025 season with a home showdown against Western Michigan on Friday, Aug. 29, at Spartan Stadium, with the game kicking off from East Lansing at 7 p.m. ET on FS1 and streaming on Fubo. This is the 18th time both teams have met, with the Spartans holding a 15-2 overall record in matchups that date back to a 35-0 Michigan State win in 1908.
The Spartans are looking to improve upon a disappointing 2024 season, one that saw them finish with a 5-7 overall record and a 13th-place finish in the Big Ten standings.
Watch Michigan State vs WMU on Fubo
Coach Jonathan Smith is in his second year at the helm of the team, and looking to bring the Spartans back to a bowl game appearance for the first time since the 2021 season. Smith returns a lot of talent to the 2025 team, especially in the receiving and linebacker groups, but there are still questions about Michigan State’s roster.
Follow here for live updates as Michigan State opens its season.
Michigan State vs Western Michigan live updates
This section will be updated.
The Broncos had a couple big plays on their opening drive, including a 35-yard pass on their first play from scrimmage, driving down to the MSU 26-yard line.
WMU went for it on fourth down with four yards to gain, but turned the ball over on an incomplete pass from quarterback Brady Jones.
With multiple injuries to MSU’s special teams unit, the Spartans are leaning on punter Ryan Eckley to take the kickoff duties.
His first kick looked good, with the kickoff team holding WMU inside their own 20-yard line to start the opening drive.
Michigan State shared a video of the first Spartan Walk of the 2025 season.
The Spartans will be without safety Nikai Martinez, as expected, but there are more injuries listed than anticipated.
MSU will use No. 3 kicker Blake Sislo and backup long snapper Jack Wills, a true freshman.
According to our Chris Solari, freshman running back Jace Clarizio will likely not play, either.
How to watch Michigan State vs Western Michigan
Michigan State’s opener against Western Michigan on Friday, Aug. 29, will be broadcast on FS1, with streaming available on Fubo.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET.
Channel: FS1.
Streaming: Fubo.
Radio: WJR-AM (760).
Michigan State vs. Western Michigan TV announcers
- Play-by-play: Dan Hellie.
- Color: Petros Papadakis.
Dan Hellie and Petros Papadakis will be in the booth at Spartan Stadium to call Michigan State’s season opener.
Michigan State vs. Western Michigan betting odds
- Spread: MSU by 21½.
- Over/under total: 49½.
- Moneyline: MSU -2000, WMU +1000.
All odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday evening.
Michigan State vs Western Michigan prediction
Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press: Chiles gets acquainted with his new wide receivers, and Middle Tennessee State transfer Omari Kelly makes a splashing debut in the passing game and on returns. The defense does the rest, squelching the Broncos’ two quarterbacks all night in East Lansing. The pick: MSU 38, WMU 10.
Michigan State football schedule 2025
- Week 1: vs Western Michigan, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. ET (FS1).
- Week 2: vs Boston College, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC).
- Week 3: vs Youngstown State, Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).
- Week 4: at USC, Sept. 20, time TBA.
- Week 5: BYE.
- Week 6: at Nebrasksa, Oct. 4, time TBA.
- Week 7: at UCLA, Oct. 11, noon (channel TBA).
- Week 8: at Indiana, Oct. 18, time TBA.
- Week 9: vs Michigan, Oct. 25, time TBA.
- Week 10: at Minnesota, Nov. 1, time TBA.
- Week 11: BYE.
- Week 12: vs Penn State, Nov. 15 TBA.
- Week 13: at Iowa, Nov. 22, time TBA.
- Week 14 vs Maryland, Nov. 29, time TBA (game at Ford Field).
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
