Minnesota Football: First look at the Michigan State Spartans
Minnesota football will take on the Michigan State Spartans (3-5, 0-5) on Saturday afternoon at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Gophers Nation takes a first look at the Cornhuskers below.
Game / Broadcast Details
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium (50,805)
Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Television: BTN
Radio: KFAN 100.3 | Mike Grimm, Darrell Thompson, Justin Gaard
Odds: Minnesota is a 3-point favorite over Michigan State, with the total currently set at 44.5 points according to BetMGM.
Head Coach Profile: Jonathan Smith
Smith is in his second season with the Michigan State Spartans after leaving his alma mater, Oregon State, after six seasons. After going 5-7 in his first season, the Spartans have struggled in year two, and the heat is already rising on the Southern California native. For his career, he has a career record of 42-47, including 8-12 at Michigan State, with a 3-11 record in Big Ten play.
Michigan State 2025 Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | Record |
| 8/28 | vs Western Michigan | 23-6 W | 1-0 |
| 9/6 | vs Boston College | 42-40 W | 2-0 |
| 9/13 | vs Youngstown State | 41-24 W | 3-0 |
| 9/20 | at (25) USC | 31-45 L | 3-1 (0-1) |
| 10/4 | at Nebraska | 27-38 L | 3-2 (0-2) |
| 10/11 | vs UCLA | 13-38 L | 3-3 (0-3) |
| 10/18 | at (3) Indiana | 10-38 L | 3-4 (0-4) |
| 10/25 | vs (25) Michigan | 20-31 L | 3-5 (0-5) |
How the Gophers and Spartans match up statistically
| Minnesota Offense | Michigan State Defense | ||
| Stat Category | # (National Rank) | Stat Category | # (National Rank) |
| Scoring Offense | 23.9 (T-97) | Scoring Defense | 32.5 (118) |
| Rushing Offense | 110.5 (T-119) | Rushing Defense | 149.3 (77) |
| Passing Offense | 204.1 (96) | Passing Defense | 230.8 (88) |
| Total Offense | 314.6 (T-123) | Total Defense | 380.1 (84) |
| Sacks Allowed | 15 (T-77) | Sacks | 14 (T-81) |
| 3rd Down % | 38.3% (T-85) | 3rd Down % | 45.0% (119) |
| 4th Down % | 30.0% (T-128) | 4th Down % | 56.2% (T-73) |
| Red Zone % | 86.2% (T-64) | Red Zone % | 88.5% (104) |
| Michigan State Offense | Minnesota Defense | ||
| Stat Category | # (National Rank) | Stat Category | # (National Rank) |
| Scoring Offense | 26.3 (T-78) | Scoring Defense | 21.8 (T-47) |
| Rushing Offense | 122 (T-106) | Rushing Defense | 102.1 (19) |
| Passing Offense | 210.8 (89) | Passing Defense | 190.0 (32) |
| Total Offense | 332.8 (110) | Total Defense | 292.1 (15) |
| Sacks Allowed | 23 (T-119) | Sacks | 25.0 (9) |
| 3rd Down % | 38.1% (90) | 3rd Down % | 37.1% (T-71) |
| 4th Down % | 50% (T-89) | 4th Down % | 57.1% (T-75) |
| Red Zone % | 93.1% (20) | Red Zone % | 88.0% (T-99) |
Series History
This will be the 50th all-time matchup between the two programs, with Michigan State holding a 30-19 advantage. The Gophers have won each of the last two matchups in 2022 and 2023. Before those back-to-back wins, the Spartans won five straight over Minnesota between 2010 and 2017.
LAST 10:
| Date | Location | Winning Team | Final Score |
| 10/28/2023 | Minneapolis, MN | Minnesota | 27–12 |
| 09/24/2022 | East Lansing, MI | Minnesota | 34–7 |
| 10/14/2017 | Minneapolis, MN | Michigan State | 30–27 |
| 11/30/2013 | East Lansing, MI | Michigan State | 14–3 |
| 11/24/2012 | Minneapolis, MN | Michigan State | 26–10 |
| 11/05/2011 | East Lansing, MI | Michigan State | 31–24 |
| 11/06/2010 | East Lansing, MI | Michigan State | 31–8 |
| 10/31/2009 | Minneapolis, MN | Minnesota | 42–34 |
| 11/11/2006 | East Lansing, MI | Minnesota | 31–18 |
| 11/12/2005 | Minneapolis, MN | Minnesota | 41–18 |
Stay Tuned
Stay tuned to Gophers Nation as we bring the latest updates on Minnesota football and the Golden Gophers’ upcoming matchup against Michigan State.
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