REBUILD RACE: Does Michigan State football, Pat Fitzgerald SURGE back before UCLA, Bob Chesney?

By Spartans IllustratedJuly 27, 2026

UCLA Bruins and Michigan State Spartans face parallel football rebuilds—who will rise first? Matt Sheehan and Zach Anderson-Yoxsimer compare each program’s outlook, debating Pat Fitzgerald’s challenges in East Lansing versus Bob Chesney’s fresh momentum in Westwood. With 2027 recruiting classes, transfer portal hauls, and over/under win totals setting the stage, are the Bruins a lock to outpace the Spartans in the Big Ten?

Recent Videos

BIG 10 SQUAD: Is the Big 10 BACK!? Where Michigan State stands

UCLA’s playoff surge stuns the Big Ten as Julian Sayin’s injury shakes up the race—could the Bruins overshadow Ohio State and Iowa for a spot in the College Football Playoff?

TITLE GOOD?: Does MSU basketball have a center PROBLEM? Where Spartans stack up in basketball NIL?

Michigan State Spartans face big questions after their latest basketball exhibitions—can Tom Izzo’s squad overcome its issues at center and on the glass to become a legit national title contender? UConn’s Dan Hurley offers candid takes, while discussions of defensive lapses, rebounding woes, and the development of players like Coen Carr and Carlos Medlock fuel debate about the Spartans’ true ceiling.

BIG 10 SQUAD: Is the Big 10 BACK!? Where Michigan State stands

UCLA’s playoff surge stuns the Big Ten as Julian Sayin’s injury shakes up the race—could the Bruins overshadow Ohio State and Iowa for a spot in the College Football Playoff?

TITLE GOOD?: Does MSU basketball have a center PROBLEM? Where Spartans stack up in basketball NIL?

UNSTOPPABLE? UCLA defense, Bob Chesney POWERING Bruins ahead of showdown vs. MSU football

Injury-riddled Michigan State Spartans eye a potential upset as they take on a ranked Northwestern Wildcats squad boasting one of the nation’s top offenses. With Aidan Chiles excelling for Northwestern and Jazz Patterson emerging as MSU’s unexpected rushing force, can the Spartans’ depleted defense hold up? Matt Sheehan spotlights key absences—MSU’s top four cornerbacks and three linebackers are out—while analyzing Jazz Patterson’s ability to exploit Northwestern’s shaky run defense.