Michigan State started the season ranked #11 in the AP Top 25 Poll. They avoided an upset by unranked Utah State in the first game of the season, with a late interception from junior linebacker Joe Bachie preserving a 38–31 victory. In the Spartans' second game of the season they would fall to Arizona State 16-13. Falling back in the polls, Michigan State then defeated Indiana 35–21. The following week Dantonio's team beat Central Michigan 31–20 in their last non-conference game of the season. Michigan State was then upset at home by Northwestern 29–19 the following week, sending them out of the AP top 25. The following week, the Spartans traveled to play a top 10 team in Penn State. Despite being heavy underdogs, Michigan State stunned Penn State with a last second touchdown pass to win 21–17. On October 20, Michigan State hosted Michigan, and the Wolverine defense overpowered Michigan State 21–7. The following week, the Spartans would rebound to beat Purdue by a score of 23–13. MSU then traveled to Maryland and dominated the Terps 27–3. After the win, MSU came home and lost to Ohio State, 26–6, before traveling to Lincoln and losing to Nebraska, 9–6. In the final game of the season, the Spartans narrowly defeated Rutgers by a score of 14–10. MSU finished the regular season 7–5, and went on to lose to Oregon in the Redbox Bowl, 7–6.