Michigan State football will enter the 2022 season with one of the more tougher schedules in the country, but what are the toughest games for the Spartans?
I take a look at each of the Spartans’ 2022 matchups and rank them from easiest to hardest below:
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No. 12 – Akron
Charles LeClaire?USA TODAY Sports
Record in 2021: 2-10 (1-7 in MAC)
Akron has lived in the basement of the Mid-American Conference the past few seasons and this year should be no different so this is by far the Spartans’ easiest game this fall.
No. 11 – Western Michigan
Mike DiNovo/USA TODAY Sports
Record in 2021: 8-5 (4-4 in MAC)
Western Michigan is a good MAC program, but still should be no match for Michigan State in a season-opening Friday night matchup that’ll surely have plenty of juice.
No. 10 – Indiana
Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times
Record in 2021: 2-10 (0-9 in Big Ten)
Indiana had a disastrous 2021 season so it’s hard to have high expectations for the Hoosiers this fall — which makes them a safe choice as my easiest conference matchup for Michigan State.
No. 9 – Rutgers
Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports
Record in 2021: 5-8 (2-7 in Big Ten)
Rutgers at home late in the season has been historically an easy win for Michigan State so I’m confident we’ll see the same thing this upcoming fall.
No. 8 – at Illinois
Mike DiNovo/USA TODAY Sports
Record in 2021: 5-7 (4-5 in Big Ten)
Illinois was a surprise team in 2021, nearly qualifying for a bowl game when many picked them to finish last in the Big Ten West Division. However, the rebuild is still in the works for the Fighting Illini this year so this comes in as the Spartans’ easiest road game this fall.
No. 7 – at Maryland
Jesse Johnson/USA TODAY Sports
Record in 2021: 7-6 (3-6 in Big Ten)
Maryland has some offensive firepower and this has the making to be…