The Only Colors
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Michigan State Spartans Schedule, November 6-12
Michigan State’s next week is packed with action across five sports. Football travels to Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 PM ET to face Michigan (MSU 2‑6, 0‑5 Big Ten) on Peacock, with a +13.5 line. Women’s basketball hosts Toledo on Saturday at 2 PM ET (ESPN+), then travels to Oakland on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 PM ET (BTN+). Men’s basketball meets Duke on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 PM ET in Chicago (ESPN). Hockey plays Boston University Friday, Nov. 6 (7 PM) and Saturday, Nov. 7 (4:30 PM) at Munn Arena (BTN+), then heads to Notre Dame Thursday, Nov. 12 (7 PM) on Peacock. Soccer’s Big Ten semifinals and quarterfinals also air Sunday on BTN/BTN+.
Men’s Soccer Moving On To Big Ten Tournament
The Michigan State men’s soccer squad ends the regular season with a 10-4-3 record after a 2-1 loss to Indiana, who clinched the Big Ten crown. The Spartans finish fourth in the league (5-3-2) and still qualify for the Big Ten Tournament, where they open against 5‑seed Maryland on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1 PM on BTN+. MSU outscored opponents 36‑22 over 17 games, with Andrew Darakdjian leading the attack with eight goals and goalkeeper Jake Grekowicz posting a 1.30 GAA and six shutouts. A win could extend their run to the semifinals at Indiana and keep NCAA hopes alive.
Instant Recap: Michigan State Rockets Past Toledo, 91-61
Michigan State jumps to a 2-0 start with a dominant 91-61 win over Toledo at the Breslin Center on Nov. 5, 2026. Freshman guard Jasiah Jervis leads all scorers with 16 points, while Jeremy Fears Jr. adds 12 points and 9 assists. The Spartals surge ahead early, posting a 17‑0 run and leading 48-25 at halftime, out‑rebounding Toledo 52-27 and shooting 56% from the field. Coach Tom Izzo uses the blowout to test lineups before the team’s next challenge: a Champions Classic showdown with No. 2 Duke on Nov. 10.
Basketball Game Thread: MSU Vs. Toledo
Michigan State aims for a 2-0 season start as the Spartans host the Toledo Rockets tonight at 8 PM ET at the Breslin Center. Coach Tom Izzo will be on the sidelines, and freshman Anton Bonke is expected to chase another double‑double after his strong first‑half performance against Quinnipiac. Reports confirm reserve guard Jesse McCulloch is active for the game, which will air on NBCSN and stream on Peacock. Fans are urged to tune in for a potential early‑season win and rally behind the green and white.
Getting To Know The Enemy: 6Qs About The um wolverines
In a candid interview with Von Lozon of Maize N Brew, The Only Colors breaks down Michigan’s tumultuous first season under new head coach Kyle Whittingham. Lozon admits he was skeptical of Whittingham’s age but expected a 9‑3 ceiling, then watched the Wolverines swing from panic after a controversial opening loss to a surprise win over Oklahoma. The coach’s recent quarterback change—from struggling freshman Bryce Underwood to poised Tommy Carr—is dissected, with Carr praised for composure despite early turnovers. Defense-wise, the piece highlights Jay Hill’s 4‑3 scheme, flexible linebackers, and standout linemen like Chase Taylor and Troy Bowles as the unit’s biggest strength.
Searching for Excitement in the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy
The upcoming Paul Bunyan Trophy clash pits a 2‑6 Michigan State squad on a six‑game skid against a 5‑3 Michigan team led by freshman quarterback Tommy Carr. Both programs struggle—Spartans coping with injuries like lineman Ben Roberts and a shaky quarterback carousel, while the Wolverines rely on Carr after replacing Bryce Underwood. First‑year coaches Pat Fitzgerald and Kyle Whittingham face off, with the rivalry’s stakes heightened: a Spartan win could salvage a bowl‑eligible season, while a loss would deepen Michigan’s woes. The article breaks down key storylines and the path each team must take for a chance at victory in Ann Arbor.
HATE WEEK- Hate: a Michigan State-Michigan History
The Only Colors revives a 2011 deep‑dive into the Michigan State‑Michigan rivalry, updating the series record through 2025. The piece traces the feud from its 1850s roots—when the University of Michigan’s agricultural dominance sparked resentment—to the modern football clash for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, now standing at 42‑29‑2 in Michigan’s favor since 1953 and 10‑9 for MSU since 2007 under Mark Dantonio. It highlights key flashpoints, including the massive UM basketball cheating scandal of the ’80s‑’90s, quotes from coaches, and the broader cultural rivalry that fuels fan “hate.” Readers get a fact‑checked, humor‑tinged chronicle of why the green‑and‑white and blue‑and‑gold rivalry remains one of the Big Ten’s fiercest.
Michigan State Football: Show Me the NIL Money
Michigan State’s football roster is estimated at about $23 million for 2026, placing the Spartans in the lower half of the Big Ten—roughly $6.5 million below the conference average of $29.5 million and $15 million behind Michigan. Sources like The Athletic, NIL Standard and The Sideline rank MSU 11th of 18 Big Ten programs, while nationally it sits around 37th. The new Big Ten compensation cap of $49 million per school, covering all sports, adds another financial challenge. With Ohio State and Michigan spending $40‑50 million, the article questions whether MSU’s current spending can keep the program competitive.
Michigan State Remains Active In 2028 With Offer To 4-Star Corner
Michigan State jumps into the 2028 recruiting race by extending an offer to Pennsylvania cornerback Kaleb Woseley, a 4‑star prospect ranked No. 11 in the state and No. 36 nationally at his position. The Philadelphia‑born recruit posted his excitement on Twitter on Oct. 28, confirming the offer alongside interest from Texas A&M, South Carolina, Florida State, Nebraska, Colorado, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Alabama, Oregon and Ole Miss. Woseley’s 247Sports rating sits at 89 with a .8948 composite, making him one of the top corners in the Northeast and the latest defensive addition by head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who has focused primarily on offensive linemen this offseason.
The Only Colors Reacts survey
The Only Colors runs a fan poll on the upcoming Michigan State vs. Michigan rivalry in Ann Arbor on Saturday night. Both programs are struggling—MSU is on a six‑game losing streak, while Michigan dropped its season opener to Western Michigan. The article asks whether coach Pat Fitzgerald can spark his roster and reclaim the Paul Bunyan Trophy for East Lansing, or if the rival school will keep it. Readers are invited to sign up for a TOC account and join the weekly survey, with perks like fewer ads and community posting.
Instant Recap: MSU Downs Quinnipiac, 96-59
Michigan State opens its season with a dominant 96‑59 victory over Quinnipiac at the Jack Breslin Center on Nov. 2, 2026. Despite big man Jesse McCulloch missing the opener with a head injury, the Spartans’ small‑ball lineup—featuring Jeremy Fears, Jasiah Jervis, Jordan Scott, Coen Carr and Anton Bonke—seizes control early, building a 52‑24 halftime lead. Fears and Carlos Medlock each score nine points in the first half, while Bonke grabs a game‑high nine rebounds. The Spartans maintain pressure in the second half, stretching the lead and finishing with a 37‑point margin. Coach Tom Izzo’s intensity sets the tone for what looks like a promising campaign.
Basketball Game Thread: MSU Vs. Quinnipiac
Michigan State opens its season against the Quinnipiac Bobcats on Nov. 2, 2026, with tip‑off at 7 PM ET on BTN+. The Spartans, fresh from a March 21 NCAA Tournament highlight featuring Coen Carr’s dunk, look to deliver a more engaging game thread than recent football posts. Fans can join the live discussion, place a prop bet on whether Carr will record over or under 3.5 dunks, and rally with the chant “Go Green! Go White!”
It’s Basketball Time for Real Now
Michigan State opens its regular season with home games against Quinnipiac (Nov. 3) and Toledo (Nov. 5) before a high‑profile Champions Classic against Duke. The Bobcats, coming off a 19‑13 season, rely on senior forward Keith McKnight (11 ppg, 6 rpg) and freshman Nedas Cholevinskas for scoring, while coach Tom Pecora enters his fourth year. Toledo, a 19‑15 MAC contender, seeks revenge after a 92‑69 loss to the Spartans last December; key transfer guard Sean Jones leads the Rockets. Both mid‑major opponents bring fresh talent and seasoned coaching to test the Spartans early in the campaign.
Women’s Soccer Looks Ahead To Big Ten Tournament
Michigan State women’s soccer wraps its regular season with a 13‑3‑2 record (9‑3 in the Big Ten) after a 1‑0 win over Northwestern, securing the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. The Spartans, ranked #6 nationally, boast 35 goals, led by Kennedy Bell (8), Kayla Briggs (7) and Emerson Sargeant (6), and earned signature victories over then‑#6 North Carolina and #12 Colorado. The reduced eight‑team Big Ten Tournament kicks off at Energizer Park in St. Louis, with MSU facing 5‑seed Washington on Nov. 5 at 5 PM ET (BTN+). A win moves them to a semifinal against Ohio State or Michigan on Nov. 8.
Join us for the 2026-27 Michigan State basketball season on the SB Nation app
The Only Colors invites college basketball fans to follow the 2026‑27 Michigan State Spartans on the new SB Nation app. Highlighting a March 27, 2026 Sweet Sixteen photo of Coach Tom Izzo, the post details the app’s community‑focused tools: real‑time game chat, faster comment loading, push notifications, and a unified Feed that surfaces posts alongside site articles. Available now for iOS and Android in North America, the app aims to boost live‑game interaction and streamline reading and posting for hoop enthusiasts.
MSU Hockey Takes Down North Dakota
Michigan State crushed North Dakota 4-2 in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game in Texas, showcasing why the Spartans are a top‑ten contender. Goalie Joshua Ravensbergen turned aside key one‑on‑ones, while Anthony Romani tallied two decisive goals, including a one‑timer early in the second period and the game‑winner just 19 seconds after the Fighting Hawks tied it late in the third. Tommi Männistö added an empty‑net goal with 49 seconds left. Despite seven penalties, MSU maintained a lead and improved its offensive average to nearly four goals per game, setting up a pivotal matchup against Boston on Friday.
Game Thread: MSU Vs. North Dakota
The Michigan State Spartans (#4) face the North Dakota Fighting Hawks (#8) tonight in Cedar Park, Texas, in this year’s U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game. Both teams bring heavy NHL pedigree—31 drafted players combined, including 13 first‑round picks, with nine first‑rounders on the Spartan roster. MSU is making its fourth Hall of Fame appearance after three losses, while ND boasts an 8‑5‑1 record in 14 prior outings. The neutral‑site showdown kicks off at 8 PM ET and streams on Xfinity 1188 or NCHC.tv.
Survey: Alessio Milivojevic Should Remain QB1
A recent The Only Colors poll shows 76% of Spartan fans want quarterback Alessio Milivojevic to remain the starter despite his recent injury. After missing the UCLA game and seeing backups Cam Fancher, freshman Kayd Coffman, and Leo Hannan take snaps, fans still favor Milivojevic’s upside for the remainder of the 2026 season. The survey, sponsored by FanDuel Sportsbook, underscores confidence that he’ll return for the upcoming matchup at Wisconsin.
Michigan State Spartans Schedule, October 30 – November 5
Michigan State’s upcoming week packs a Spartan fix with basketball and hockey. The men’s basketball season opens on Nov. 2 at 7 PM ET vs. Quinnipiac in the Breslin Center, followed by a home game against Toledo on Nov. 5 at 8 PM ET (streamed on Peacock+). Women’s basketball debuts Nov. 3 at 6:30 PM ET vs. Valparaiso on BTN+. Hockey returns Saturday, Oct. 31 at 8 PM ET as MSU (4‑1‑0) faces North Dakota (4‑2‑0) in Cedar Park, TX, available on NCHC.tv and Xfinity 1188. No football this week, so fans can focus on the new seasons.
Michigan State Offers Highly-Touted OL In 2028 Class
Michigan State adds four-star offensive lineman Declan Heying to its 2028 recruiting class, marking the program's 21st offer for the Iowa standout. Heying, a 6‑foot‑6, 285‑lb interior lineman ranked No. 4 in Iowa and 20th nationally by 247Sports, announced the offer on October 22, 2026. The Spartans also extended an offer to fellow four-star tackle Ben Coleman, a 6‑foot‑4, 285‑lb prospect ranked No. 12 in Illinois and 26th nationally, who already has 15 offers from schools like Notre Dame and Oregon. The coordinated push aims to rebuild the Big Ten trenches.
Debating The Michigan State Starting 5
With the 2026‑27 season just five days away, Michigan State’s starting five remains unsettled after three exhibition games. Coach Tom Izzo hinted at power forward Cam Ward, disrupting The Only Colors' small‑ball forecast of Jeremy Fears Jr., Divine Ugochukwu, Jordan Scott, Coen Carr and Ethan Taylor. Subsequent lineups have shuffled between Ward, rookie Jesse McCulloch and a three‑guard set featuring Jasiah Jervis, while Carr has even taken jump‑ball duties. After losses to UConn and Marquette, the debate intensifies over whether to stick with a small‑ball approach—Fears, Jervis, Scott, Carr, and Anton Bonke—or adjust for interior defense as the Spartans prepare for their opener against Quinnipiac.
Michigan State Film Room: Two Freshman Quarterbacks in a Tough Spot vs. UCLA
In a bruising loss to UCLA, Michigan State’s already strained squad faces deeper challenges as starting QB Alessio Milivojevic sits out with a mid‑week injury and key defenders Ben Roberts and Marvis Parrish exit early. Freshmen quarterbacks Kayd Coffman and Leo Hannan step onto the field, with Coffman starting his first game. He throws 4‑of‑10 for 42 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and takes three sacks, highlighting his pro‑style, pass‑first traits but also the Spartans’ rebuilding woes. The piece breaks down Coffman’s early drives, his pocket management and the defensive pressure that left the Spartans with only 156 total offensive yards versus 303 punting yards.
Devin Vaught Gets Player Of The Game Roses
Safety Devin Vaught earns Michigan State’s Player of the Game after a standout defensive performance at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 24, 2026. Vaught, a Maine transfer, recorded a season‑high eight tackles, forced two fumbles (recovering one) and deflected a pass, accounting for 84% of the fan vote. The Spartans struggled offensively, prompting back‑to‑back defensive honors in TOC Nation’s weekly awards. Vaught joins DT Ben Roberts, K Liam Boyd, RB Cam Edwards, LB Jordan Hall, and RB Jianzun Patterson as past winners as MSU looks to stay competitive in its final four games.
The Only Colors Reacts Survey
During Michigan State's bye week, fans are invited to step into Coach Fitzgerald's shoes and choose the Spartans' starting quarterback in a weekly survey. The poll follows the Spartans' recent game at the Rose Bowl, where Kayd Coffman #10 helped the team face UCLA on Oct. 24, 2026. Participation requires a TOC account, and sign‑ups grant extra site features and app access.
MSU vs UCLA sideline perspective
Pat Fitzgerald watches the Spartans’ October 24, 2026, loss to top‑10 UCLA from the Rose Bowl sideline, noting a grim injury spiral that forced MSU to start third‑string quarterback Kayd Coffman and finish with fourth‑stringers at most positions. Coffman threw a 14‑yard TD pass to Kenneth Williams, who rushed for 54 yards on 17 carries, giving MSU a brief 7‑0 lead before UCLA pulled ahead. Defensive highlight comes from Devin Vaught’s forced fumble recovery returned 56 yards. Attendance hovered around 34,000, a modest crowd for UCLA’s homecoming. The author shares his first field‑photography experience and compares the atmosphere to the 2014 Rose Bowl.
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