# 2020 Michigan State Spartans football team

The 2020 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans competed as members of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. This was the program's first season under head coach Mel Tucker.
In a limited season, which was initially canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being reinstated, the Spartans compiled a 2–5 record, all in conference games. On December 20, the program announced that it would not participate in any bowl game.

## Previous season

The Spartans finished the 2019 season 7–6, 4–5 in Big Ten play to finish in fifth place in the East Division. The Spartans received a bid to the 2019 Pinstripe Bowl where they defeated Wake Forest 27–21.
On February 4, 2020, the school announced that head coach Mark Dantonio had retired and Mike Tressel would be taking over as interim head coach for the Spartans. Tressel was previously the team's defensive coordinator. On February 12, the school announced the hiring of Colorado head coach Mel Tucker as the university's 25th head football coach.

## Offseason
### 2020 NFL Draft

MSU kept its streak of 80 years of having at least one player drafted in the NFL Draft when cornerback Josiah Scott was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
| Round | Pick | Team | Player | Position |
| 4 | 31 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Josiah Scott | Cornerback |
| 7 | 11 | Minnesota Vikings | Kenny Willekes | Defensive End |
Several other undrafted players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams:
* Cody White, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
* Brian Lewerke, Quarterback, New England Patriots
* Raequan Williams, Defensive tackle, Philadelphia Eagles
* Joe Bachie, Linebacker New Orleans Saints
* Mike Panasiuk, Defensive tackle, Las Vegas Raiders
* Darrell Stewart Jr., Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
* Tyler Higby, Offensive Line, Minnesota Vikings

### Coaching changes

After Dantonio abruptly retired in March, new head coach Mel Tucker took approximately 10 days to assemble his assistants for the season. Tucker brought with him from his Colorado staff offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, running backs coach William Peagler, and special teams coordinator Ross Els. Former Spartan wide receiver Courtney Hawkins was named the wide receivers coach, Ted Gilmore the tight ends coach, and Scottie Hazelton the defensive coordinator. Former MSU defensive coach Harlon Barnett returned to coach the secondary after spending two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Florida State. Ron Burton (defensive line) and Mike Tressel (safeties) were the only holdovers from Dantonio's staff.

### Recruiting

US college sports recruiting information for 2020 recruits :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Ricky White WR | Marietta, GA | Marietta | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Dallas Fincher OG | Grand Rapids, MI | East Kentwood | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 274 lb (124 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Terry Lockett WR | Minneapolis, MN | Minnehaha Academy | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Ian Stewart WR | Rockwood, MI | Oscar A. Carlson | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Tommy Guajardo TE | Dearborn, MI | Dearborn | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Simeon Barrow Jr. WDE | Grovetown, GA | Grovetown | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 252 lb (114 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Avery Dunn WDE | Cleveland, OH | Shaker Heights | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 216 lb (98 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Montorie Foster WR | Lakewood, OH | St. Edward | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Chris Mayfield SDE | Hilliard, OH | Hilliard Bradley | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Noah Kim PRO | Chantilly, VA | Westfield | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Jeff Pietrowski WDE | Lakewood, OH | St. Edward | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Cole DeMarzo OLB | Hilton Head Island, SC | Hilton Head | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Jasiyah Robinson SDE | Groveport, OH | Groveport Madison | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 222 lb (101 kg) | Jan 22, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Donovan Eaglin SDE | Manvel, TX | Manvel HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jan 29, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Nolan Rossback (Transfer Illinois) LS | Hudsonville, MI | {{{highschool}}} | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | |
| Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: |||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Scout". Scout.com. Retrieved February 4, 2020. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 4, 2020. "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 4, 2020. |||||||

## Preseason
### Preseason Big Ten poll

Although the Big Ten Conference has not held an official preseason poll since 2010, Cleveland.com has polled sports journalists representing all member schools as a de facto preseason media poll since 2011. For the 2020 poll, Michigan State was projected to finish in fifth in the East Division.
Media poll (East Division) :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Ohio State | 237 (33) |
| 2 | Penn State | 204 (1) |
| 3 | Michigan | 169 |
| 4 | Indiana | 134 |
| 5 | Michigan State | 94 |
| 6 | Maryland | 76 |
| 7 | Rutgers | 38 |

## COVID-19 effects on season

On July 9, 2020, the Big Ten announced that member teams will only play conference games in effort to reduce issues related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On July 24, the school announced that the entire team, which had returned to campus for voluntary workouts, was being placed on a 14-day quarantine after two staff members and one player tested positive for COVID-19.
On August 11, 2020, the Big Ten canceled the college football season for the fall of 2020 due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. On September 16, the conference reversed course and announced that a season would be played. Teams would begin play on October 24. On September 19, the conference announced an eight-game schedule.
One game, against Maryland, was canceled due to the school's COVID-19 outbreak. A scheduled rematch on December 19 as part of the Big Ten Champions Week was also canceled due to continued COVID-19 issues at Maryland.

## Personnel
### Coaching staff

| Name | Position | Season |
| Mel Tucker | Head coach | 1st |
| Jay Johnson | Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks | 1st |
| Chris Kapilovic | Offensive Line/run game coordinator | 1st |
| Ted Gilmore | Tight ends | 1st |
| Courtney Hawkins | Wide receivers | 1st |
| William Pegler | Running backs | 1st |
| Scottie Hazelton | Defensive coordinator | 1st |
| Ron Burton | Defensive line | 7th |
| Harlon Barnett | Defensive backs | 12th |
| Ross Els | Special Teams | 1st |
| Mike Tressel | Linebackers | 14th |

## Schedule

Michigan State's 2020 schedule originally was planned to begin with a conference home game against Northwestern, followed by three non-conference opponents: the independent BYU Cougars, Toledo of the Mid-American Conference, and finally Miami of the ACC. The non-conference slate was canceled on July 9 due to the Big Ten Conference's decision to play a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On August 4, the Big Ten Conference announced the schedule for all Big Ten teams. In conference play, the Spartans were play all members of the East Division, as well as Northwestern, Iowa, and Minnesota from the West Division. The season was canceled by the conference on August 11, 2020.
On September 19, the conference changed course and announced a new, revised, eight-game schedule. A ninth game will be played the week of December 19 where the first place teams in each division will play for the Big Ten Championship, while the remaining teams will play the same-seeded team in the opposite division.
On November 19, it was announced that the November 21 game against Maryland had been canceled as all team-related activities were paused because of an elevated number of coronavirus cases within the Terrapins' program. A rescheduled game against Maryland as part of Big Ten Champions Week was also canceled due to COVID-19 issues at Maryland.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 24 | 12:00 p.m. | Rutgers | Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI | BTN | L 27–38 | 0 |
| October 31 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 13 Michigan | Michigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI (Paul Bunyan Trophy) | FOX | W 27–24 | 615 |
| November 7 | 12:00 p.m. | at Iowa | Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA | ESPN | L 7–49 | 1,441 |
| November 14 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 10 Indiana | Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI (Old Brass Spittoon) | ABC | L 0–24 | 340 |
| November 21 | 12:00 p.m. | at Maryland | Maryland StadiumCollege Park, MD | BTN | No Contest | _ |
| November 28 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 8 Northwestern | Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI | ESPN2 | W 29–20 | 0 |
| December 5 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 4 Ohio State | Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, MI | ABC | L 12–52 | 0 |
| December 12 | 12:00 p.m. | at Penn State | Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA (Land Grant Trophy) | ABC | L 24–39 | 0 |
| December 19 | 7:30 p.m. | at Maryland | Maryland StadiumCollege Park, MD (Champions Week) | BTN | No Contest | _ |
| Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Final |
| AP | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Coaches | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |

## Radio

Radio coverage for all games will be broadcast statewide on the Spartans Sports Network

## Game summaries
### Rutgers

| Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
| 8–3 | Nov 23, 2019 | MSU, 27–0 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rutgers | 14 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 38 |
| Michigan State | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
at Spartan Stadium
* Date: October 24, 2020
* Game time: 12:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 44°F, Wind: 5 mph NNW, Crisp fall afternoon
* Referee: J. Servinski
* TV announcers (BTN): Lisa Byington, Matt Millen
* Sources:
Game information :
First Quarter
(11:41) RU TD: Pacheco, Isiah 12 yd run (Fava, Guy kick) Rutgers 7–0; 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:41
(06:57) RU TD: Langan, Johnny 1 yd run (Fava, Guy kick) Rutgers 140; 4 plays, 1 yards, 1:23
(00:23) MSU TD: Reed, Jayden 50 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) Rutgers 14–7; 9 plays, 86 yards, 2:59
Second Quarter
(11:32 RU TD: Vedral, Noah 24 yd run (Fava, Guy kick) Rutgers 21–7; 2 plays, 23 yards, 0:46
(03:13) MSU FG: Coghlin, Matt 45 yd field goal Rutgers 21–10; 4 plays, 3 yards, 2:52
(00:36) RU TD:- Pacheco, Isiah 3 yd run (Fava, Guy kick) Rutgers 28–10; 6 plays, 53 yards, 2:26
(00:00) MSU FG: Coghlin, Matt 48 yd field goal Rutgers 28–13; 6 plays, 33 yards, 0:36
Third Quarter
(06:30) MSU TD: Nailor, Jalen 30 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) Rutgers 28–20; 1 plays, 30 yards,0:08
Fourth Quarter
912:20) RU FG: Fava, Guy 44 yd field goal Rutgers 31–20; 14 plays, 54 yards, 6:11
(04:38) RU TD: Jones, Shameen 14 yd pass from Vedral, Noah (Fava, Guy kick) Rutgers 38–20; 4 plays, 26 yards, 2:19
(01:53) MSU TD: Reed, Jayden 4 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) Rutgers 38–27; 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:45
Passing
Rutgers – Noah Vedral: 18/29, 169 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
MSU – Rocky Lombardi: 31/43, 319 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Rutgers – Isiah Pacheco: 19 carries, 73 yards, 2 TD
MSU – Jordan Simmons: 14 carries, 48 yards
Receiving
Rutgers – Bo Melton: 4 receptions, 50 yards
MSU – Jayden Reed: 11 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD :
MSU opened the 2020 season at home against Rutgers. Rutgers scored on their first possession, moving 75 yards before Isiah Pacheco rushed for a 12-yard touchdown to give the Scarlet Knights the early 7–0 lead. MSU quickly turned the ball over to Rutgers on their first offensive play as Jayden Reed fumbled and the Knights took over at MSU's 44. The Spartan defense forced a three-and-out, but the offense again turned the ball over as Rocky Lombardi fumbled the ball and Rutgers took over at the MSU four-yard line. A one-yard touchdown run a few plays later put the Knights up 14–0 with just under seven minutes remaining in the quarter. MSU's offense took the ensuing kickoff at mid-field and moved to the Rutgers' 42-yard line. However, MSU turned the ball over again, this time on downs, failing to get the first down on a fourth and three play. After a Rutgers' punt, Lombardi hit Reed on a 50-yard pass to bring MSU within seven points. Another Knights' punt gave MSU the ball with 14 minutes remaining in the second quarter. However, once again, the MSU offense turned the ball over as Lombardi was intercepted and Rutgers took over inside the MSU 30-yard line. Two plays later, a Rutgers' 24-yard touchdown run moved the Knights' lead to 21–7. MSU answered with an 11-play drive that moved into Rutgers territory, but another Jayden Reed fumble gave the ball back to Rutgers with less than eight minutes remaining in the half. MSU took the ball back on an interception by Shakur Brown and MSU notched a field goal to draw within 21–10. With just over three minutes remaining in the half, Rutgers pushed the lead to 28–10 with a three-yard touchdown run. Matt Coghlin hit his second field goal of the game as time expired to make the score 28–13 at the half.
On the first possession of the second half, MSU again turned the ball over on a Jordan Simmons fumble. Rutgers could not capitalize and punted the ball back to MSU. MSU was forced to punt, but a Rutgers fumble on the punt gave MSU the ball at the Rutgers 30. Jalen Nailor scored on the next play, a 30-yard touchdown catch to narrow the lead to 28–20. A Rutgers' fumble on their ensuing possession set MSU up at the 29-yard line. However, the Spartans were again stopped on a fourth down run, turning the ball over on downs. A Rutgers' field goal to start the fourth quarter pushed the Knights' lead to 31–20. The teams exchanged punts before Rutgers put the game out of reach with a 14-yard touchdown pass with just under five minutes remaining in the game. Another Jayden Reed touchdown catch brought the Spartans within 11. A Rutgers' punt preceded another turnover, the seventh in the game, as Lombardi was intercepted with under 40 seconds remaining. The Knights were able to run out the clock as the Spartans fell 38–27.

### Michigan

| Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
| 36–71–5 | Nov 16, 2019 | Mich, 44–10 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Michigan State | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 27 |
| No. 13 Michigan | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at Michigan Stadium
* Date: Oct 31, 2020
* Game time: 12:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 45°F, Wind: 10–15 mph S, Sunny
* Game attendance: 615
* Referee: T. Stapleton
* TV announcers (FOX): Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt
* Sources:
Game information :
First Quarter
(10:57) MSU TD: White, Ricky 30 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) Michigan State 7–0; 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:14
(07:01) UM TD: Corum, Blake 8 yd run (Nordin, Quinn kick) Tied 7–7; 8 plays, 60 yards, 3:56
Second Quarter
(09:40) MSU TD: Heyward, Connor 2 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) Michigan State 14–7; 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:01
(02:49) UM FG: Nordin, Quinn 23 yd field goal Michigan State 14–10; 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:37
Third Quarter
(12:26) MSU FG: Coghlin, Matt 27 yd field goal Michigan State 17–10; 5 plays, 52 yards, 1:03
(08:00) UM TD: Corum, Blake 1 yd run (Nordin, Quinn kick) Tied 17–17; 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:26
(04:23) MSU FG: Coghlin, Matt 51 yd field goal Michigan State 20–17; 9 plays, 45 yards, 3:37
Fourth Quarter
(05:11) MSU TD: Heyward, Connor 13 yd pass from Lombardi, Rocky (Coghlin, Matt kick) Michigan State 27–17; 11 plays, 92 yards, 4:37
(00:37) UM TD: Haskins, Hassan 2 yd run (Nordin, Quinn kick) Michigan State 27–24; 18 plays, 93 yards, 4:34
Passing
Michigan – Joe Milton: 32/51, 300 yards
MSU – Rocky Lombardi: 17/32, 323 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Michigan – Joe Milton: 12 carries, 63 yards
MSU – Jordan Simmons: 14 carries, 59 yards
Receiving
Michigan – Roman Wilson: 5 receptions, 71 yards
MSU – Ricky White: 8 receptions, 196 yards, 1 TD :
In their first road game of the season, the Spartans traveled to face their rival, Michigan, for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Despite being a multiple touchdown underdog, the Spartans took the early lead after each team traded punts when Rocky Lombardi hit Ricky White for a 30-yard touchdown pass. However, Michigan quickly responded by scoring on an 11-yard touchdown run following an eight-play drive to tie the game at seven. Each team again was forced to punt on their next two possessions as the game moved to the second quarter. Lombardi put the Spartans up again on a two-yard touchdown pass to Connor Heyward moving the Spartan lead to 14–7. Again, each team traded punts before the Wolverines settled for a field goal with 2:49 remaining in the half. Another exchange of punts left MSU with the ball with less than a minute remaining in the half as they ran out the clock to go to halftime with the three-point lead.
In the second half, Michigan punted on their first possession and the Spartans moved the ball into Wolverine territory on the ensuing possession, but settled for another Matt Coghlin field goal to extend the lead to 17–10. Michigan tied it on their next possession with a one-yard touchdown run to put the score at 17–17. MSU retook the lead on their next possession as Coghlin connected on a 51-yard field goal to move MSU into the lead at 20–17. Following a Michigan punt, MSU moved to the Wolverine 23, but Coghlin missed a 40-yard field goal that would have moved the Spartan lead to six points. Michigan again failed to move the ball and was forced to punt on their next possession. Following the punt, MSU took over at their own eight-yard line with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game. The Spartans, helped by a Ricky White 31 yard reception, moved to the Michigan 13 with just over five minutes remaining. Lombardi then hit Heyward again for a 13-yard touchdown catch and run to push the Spartan lead to 10 at 27–17. The Wolverines scored on their next possession, but the 18-play drive took over four and a half minutes and left less than 40 seconds remaining on the clock while the Spartans held a 27–24 lead. The onside kick was recovered by Heyward and Lombardi gave the Spartans on a fourth down sneak to run out the clock as the Spartans defeated their rivals 27–24. The win moved MSU to 1–1 on the season.

### Iowa

| Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
| 22–23–2 | Sept 30, 2017 | MSU, 17–10 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Michigan State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Iowa | 14 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 49 |
at Kinnick Stadium
* Date: Nov 7, 2020
* Game time: 12:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 6°F, Wind: 12 mph S, Sunny
* Game attendance: 1,441
* Referee: Ron Snodgrass
* TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky
* Sources:
Game information :
First Quarter
(11:07) Iowa TD: Goodson, Tyler 3 yd run (Duncan, Keith kick) Iowa 7–0; 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:53
(04:31) Iowa TD: Smith, Brandon 14 yd pass from Petras, Spencer (Duncan, Keith kick) Iowa 14–0; 10 plays, 74 yards, 3:57
Second Quarter
(11:16) Iowa TD: Goodson, Tyler 9 yd run (Duncan, Keith kick) Iowa 21–0; 7 plays, 47 yards, 3:00
(01:57) Iowa TD: Jones, Charlie 54 yd punt return (Duncan, Keith kick) Iowa 28–0
(01:30) Iowa TD: Moss, Riley 54 yd interception (Duncan, Keith kick) Iowa 35–0
Third Quarter
(10:06) MSU TD: Hunt, Tyler 1 yd run (Coghlin, Matt kick) Iowa 35–7; 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:54
(08:47) Iowa TD: Sargent, Mekhi 2 yd run (Duncan, Keith kick) Iowa 42–7; 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:19
Fourth Quarter
(11:57) Iowa TD: Sargent, Mekhi 6 yd run (Duncan, Keith kick) Iowa 49–7; 3 plays, 45 yards, 1:30
Passing
Iowa – Spencer Petras: 15/27, 167 yards, 1 TD
MSU – Rocky Lombardi: 17/37, 227 yards, 3 INT
Rushing
Iowa – Tyler Goodson: 14 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD
MSU – Jordan Simmons: 9 carries, 34 yards
Receiving
Iowa – Tyrone Tracy: 4 receptions, 38 yards
MSU – Jalen Nailor: 4 receptions, 119 yards :

### At Indiana

| Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
| 48–16–2 | Sept 28, 2019 | MSU, 40–31 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Michigan State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 10 Indiana | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
at Spartan Stadium
* Date: Nov 14, 2020
* Game time: 12:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 38°F, Wind: 6 mph SSE, Sunny
* Game attendance: 340
* Referee: J. O'Neill
* TV announcers (ABC): Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy
Game information :
First Quarter
(02:11) IND TD: Scott, Stevie 8 yd run (Campbell, C. kick) Indiana 7–0; 7 plays, 50 yards, 3:15
(01:14) IND TD: Fryfogle, Ty 16 yd pass from Penix, Michael (Campbell, C. kick) Indiana 14–0; 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:15
Second Quarter
(09:22) IND FG: Campbell, C. 21 yd field goal Indiana 17–0; 7 plays, 22 yards, 2:23
(04:56) IND TD: Fryfogle, Ty 65 yd pass from Penix, Michael (Campbell, C. kick) Indiana 24–0; 5 plays, 79 yards, 2:40
Passing
Indiana – Michael Penix Jr.: 25/38, 320 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
MSU – Payton Thorne: 10/20, 110 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Indiana – Stevie Scott: 23 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD
MSU – Connor Heyward: 5 carries, 27 yards
Receiving
Indiana – Ty Fryfogle: 11 receptions, 200 yards, 2 TD
MSU – Jayden Reed: 7 receptions, 63 yards :

### Northwestern

| Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
| 38–20 | Sep 21, 2019 | MSU, 31–10 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 8 Northwestern | 0 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| Michigan State | 10 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 29 |
at Spartan Stadium
* Date: Nov 28, 2020
* Game time: 3:30 p.m.
* Game weather: 45 °F, Wind: 7 mph SW, Sunny, light clouds
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: M. Kluczynski
* TV announcers (ESPN): Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman
Game information :
First Quarter
MSU – Jalen Nailor 75-yard pass from Rocky Lombardi (Matt Coghlin kick), 10:34. Michigan State 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 81 yards, 0:41.
MSU – Matt Coghlin 22-yard field goal, 7:06. Michigan State 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:18.
Second Quarter
MSU – Jayden Reed 15-yard pass from Rocky Lombardi (Matt Coghlin kick), 14:55. Michigan State 17–0. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 5:44.
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 42-yard field goal, 11:02. Michigan State 17–3. Drive: 13 plays, 51 yards, 3:53.
NU – Charlie Kuhbander 32-yard field goal, 6:35. Michigan State 17–6. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 1:45.
Third Quarter
NU – Peyton Ramsey 1-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 10:39. Michigan State 17–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:21.
Fourth Quarter
NU – Cam Porter 3-yard run (Charlie Kuhbander kick), 13:54. Northwestern 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 3:34.
MSU – Matt Coghlin 44-yard field goal, 10:11. Tied 20–20. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 3:04.
MSU – Matt Coghlin 48-yard field goal, 3:35. Michigan State 23–20. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 2:47.
MSU – Kalon Gervin 0-yard fumble recovery, 0:00. Michigan State 29–20.
Top Passers
NU – Peyton Ramsey – 21/43, 210 yards, 2 INT
MSU – Rocky Lombardi – 11/27, 167 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top Rushers
NU – Drake Anderson – 10 rushes, 41 yards
MSU – Connor Heyward – 24 rushes, 96 yards
Top Receivers
NU – Riley Lees – 4 receptions, 59 yards
MSU – Jalen Nailor – 3 receptions, 99 yards, TD :

### Ohio State

| Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
| 15–33 | Oct 5, 2019 | OSU, 34–10 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 3 Ohio State | 14 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 52 |
| Michigan State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 12 |
at Spartan Stadium
* Date: Dec 5, 2020
* Game time: 12:06 p.m.
* Game weather: 34 °F, Wind: 4 mph NNW, Cloudy
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Larry Smith
* TV announcers (ABC): Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor
Game information :
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Top passers
OSU – Justin Fields – 17/24, 199 yards, 2 TD
MSU – Payton Thorne – 16/25, 147 yards, INT
Top rushers
OSU – Trey Sermon – 10 carries, 112 yards, TD
MSU – Payton Thorne – 9 carries, 42 yards, TD
Top receivers
OSU – Chris Olave – 10 receptions, 139 yards, TD
MSU – Jayden Reed – 5 receptions, 79 yards :

### Penn State

| Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
| 17–16–1 | Oct 26, 2019 | PSU, 28–7 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Michigan State | 0 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Penn State | 3 | 7 | 15 | 14 | 39 |
at Beaver Stadium
* Date: Dec 12, 2020
* Game time: 12:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 45 °F, Wind: 3 mph SSW, Partly Cloudy
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: R. Snodgrass
* TV announcers (ABC): Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore
* ESPN box score
Game information :
First quarter
PSU – Jake Pinegar, 24-yard field goal, 6:06 (PSU 3–0)
Second quarter
MSU – Jalen Nailor, 45-yard TD pass from Payton Thorne, Matt Coghlin kick good, 13:50 (MSU 7–3)
PSU – Sean Clifford, 31-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 10:00 (PSU 10–7)
MSU – Tre'Von Morgan, 26-yard TD pass from Thorne, Coghlin kick good, 6:24 (MSU 14–10)
MSU – Nailor, 7-yard TD pass from Thorne, Coghlin kick good, 1:26 (MSU 21–10)
Third quarter
PSU – Parker Washington, 8-yard TD pass from Clifford, Jahan Dotson 2-point conversion pass from Clifford, 10:07 (MSU 21–18)
MSU – Coghlin, 23-yard field goal, 1:59 (MSU 24–18)
PSU – Will Levis, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 0:02 (PSU 25–24)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Washington, 49-yard TD pass from Clifford, Pinegar kick good, 12:18 (PSU 32–24)
PSU – Dotson, 81-yard punt return for TD, Pinegar kick good, 11:24 (PSU 39–24)
Top passers
MSU – Payton Thorne – 22/39, 325 yards, 3 TD, INT
PSU – Sean Clifford – 17/27, 232 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MSU – Jordon Simmons – 14 carries, 72 yards
PSU – Sean Clifford – 9 carries, 48 yards, TD
Top receivers
MSU – Jalen Nailor – 6 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD
PSU – Jahan Dotson – 8 receptions, 106 yards
Top defenders
MSU – Antjuan Simmons – 10 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Jaquan Brisker – 9 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), INT :