Michigan State Football: 8 Opponents We'd Love To See on Future Schedules

The Michigan State Spartans are set to get the season underway September 2nd against Youngstown State—and the Spartans Non-Conference opponents don't get much better. With the exception of the annual meeting with Notre Dame, Michigan State seems to schedule one of the weaker non-conference schedules in the Nation, despite emerging as a legitimate force in the Big Ten.

I'm not saying that Michigan State is the only team that schedules a weak non-conference schedule, not at all,  but the Spartans are a good enough football program to up the level of competition a bit before conference play begins.

Michigan State players and fans would be excited to see these eight teams on their future schedules and give the College Football world a chance to see that the Spartans are for real. 

8. Arkansas Razorbacks

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks huddles his team against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Get

The Arkansas Razorbacks have proven over the few seasons that they are no pushover in the SEC, and they would be a good matchup for the Spartans in September. 

Both programs don't get enough recognition in their respective conferences, and any win for the Big Ten over an SEC opponent goes a long way for the image of the Big Ten.

7. Florida State Seminoles

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Taiwan Easterling #8 of the Florida State Seminoles pulls in this touchdown reception against Akeem Auguste #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Ge

The Florida State Seminoles are back, and they should be one of the top teams in the country this season. 

Michigan State fans would jump at an excuse to load the SUV up and head down to Florida for a weekend. Beating one of the ACC best teams would do wonders for the Spartans early season ranking. 

6. University of Southern California

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PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: Malcolm Smith #6 of the USC Trojans celebrates following his teams victory over the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. USC defeated UCLA 28-14. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The USC Trojans would be a great opponent for the Spartans. Despite all of the sanctions and off-the-field distractions, USC is still one of College Football's most storied programs. 

You can bet Michigan State's fanbase would be thrilled for a shot at USC.

5. University of Missouri

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Runningback Henry Josey #41 of the Missouri Tigers dives into the endzone to score on a 10 yard rushing touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter of the Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 i

The University of Missouri is a notable Big 12 opponent and have become a respected football program around the Nation. 

The Spartans and the Tigers would be a big non-conference game for each school, and one that Michigan State could win and jump up in the polls.

4. Virginia Tech Hokies

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies hands the ball off to Darren Evans #32 against the Stanford Cardinal during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (

Virginia Tech would be another ACC team to go to battle with for the Spartans, one that would be sure to raise the excitement level early on in the season.

Virginia Tech always seems to finish in the top of the ACC, and Michigan State would be a good matchup for the Hokies.

3. Boise State Broncos

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Boise State Broncos fans react after the team scored a touchdown against the Utah Utes during the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State Won 26-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/

Why not? Boise State has become a top-five team at season's end almost every year, it seems like. The Spartans could have a chance to knock the Broncos out of title contention in the opening weeks of the season. 

You can bet if Michigan State scheduled Boise State, the Spartans would be in the prime time spotlight, as nearly every other fan in college football would be hoping that Michigan State could end any hopes of a Cinderella ending for the Broncos.

2. Texas Longhorns

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Running back Foswhitt Whittaker #28 of the Texas Longhorns is brought down by linebacker Lavonte David #4 and defensive tackle Jared Crick #94 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadiu

The Texas Longhorns are one of college football's top programs, though they were down a bit last year and should be again this year.

There is no way the Spartans would not highlight this one on the schedule—a chance to go out and beat the Texas Longhorns would give Michigan State major momentum moving forward into conference play.

1. Florida Gators

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GAINESVILLE, FL - APRIL 9: Running back Chris Rainey #3 of the Florida Gators climbs to the top of a team huddle before the Orange and Blue spring football game April 9, 2011 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmid

If the Michigan State Spartans were ever to play the Florida Gators, you can bet every team and fan in the Big Ten would be cheering Sparty on mightily.

As mentioned earlier, Big Ten wins against the SEC are huge for the conference. With a non-conference win over the Florida Gators, the Michigan State Spartans would become the face of the Big Ten for weeks—and possibly more if they could keep the winning up.