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.
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
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.
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
Roster
Coaching staff
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.