If you’re looking for a live football score for the Spartans today, January 18, 2026, you won’t find one.
The season is over. Michigan State's football team didn't make a bowl game this year, finishing with a 4-8 record. Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird time to be a Spartan fan. While other teams are grinding through the final stages of the College Football Playoff, East Lansing is focused on a massive coaching overhaul.
Basically, the last time the football team took the field was back on November 29, 2025. They actually went out on a high note, beating Maryland 38-28 at Ford Field in Detroit. But since then? It's been all about the "Help Wanted" sign and the eventual hiring of Pat Fitzgerald to replace Jonathan Smith.
What happened to the Michigan State football season?
The Spartans' 2025 campaign was a rollercoaster that mostly went downhill after a 3-0 start. They looked great early on, beating Western Michigan, Boston College, and Youngstown State. Then the Big Ten schedule hit.
They lost seven straight games. It was brutal. Losses to USC, Nebraska, UCLA, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Penn State basically tanked the season. By the time they hit the Iowa game in late November (a 20-17 heartbreaker), the bowl dreams were long gone.
So, what is the score of the Michigan State football game that people are talking about?
Right now, the "score" everyone is actually tracking belongs to Tom Izzo and the Michigan State men's basketball team.
If you saw a headline about a big MSU win this weekend, it was probably the hoops team. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, No. 12 Michigan State went into Seattle and beat Washington 80-63. Jeremy Fears Jr. absolutely took over that game, dropping 19 points and 5 assists. It was a statement win for a team that looks like a legitimate Final Four contender.
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Here is the breakdown of that basketball score for those who got the sports mixed up:
- Final Score: Michigan State 80, Washington 63
- Venue: Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
- Top Performer: Jeremy Fears Jr. (19 points)
- Status: The Spartans are now 16-2 overall.
The New Era in East Lansing
Since there is no football game to watch today, fans are obsessing over the 2026 roster. Pat Fitzgerald is officially the head coach, taking over after Jonathan Smith was let go following the 4-8 finish.
The school made the move quickly on December 1st. Fitzgerald has already started making waves by bringing in Max Bullough as a co-defensive coordinator. The vibe around the program is shift-heavy. People are looking at the 2026 schedule and wondering if this staff can flip the script.
What’s next for the football program?
The next time you'll actually see a "score" for Michigan State football will be the spring game in April. Until then, the focus stays on the recruiting trail and the transfer portal.
Most experts, including those over at 247Sports and The Athletic, are keeping a close eye on how many of the 2025 starters stay through the coaching transition. Retaining defensive coordinator Joe Rossi was a massive win for Fitzgerald. It provides some much-needed continuity for a defense that actually showed flashes of brilliance last season despite the losing record.
If you’re desperate for live Spartan action, stick with the basketball team. They play again in two days. The football team is currently in the "weight room and film study" phase of the year.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official MSU Spartans website for the announcement of the 2026 Spring Game date.
- Follow the transfer portal window, which is currently active and will dictate how the 2026 roster looks.
- Tune into the basketball game on January 21 against Nebraska to see if the No. 12 Spartans can keep their win streak alive.