Maryland vs Michigan State today: kickoff time, TV, matchup keys — plus a quick look at the Michigan State football schedule

The regular season wraps with Maryland vs Michigan State under the roof at Ford Field in Detroit tonight, a neutral-site sendoff for two teams eager to punch out with momentum for the offseason. While neither side is bowl-eligible, the game still carries weight: roster evaluations, portal conversations, and staff decisions all take cues from a final data point in prime time.

Maryland vs Michigan State: when and where to watch

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025

• Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET

• Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI (indoors)

• How to watch: National cable in the evening window; authenticated streaming available through the network’s app.

• Radio: Team radio networks carry full coverage; school apps typically offer audio streams.

Programming note: listings can update on game day; verify your local channel before kickoff.

Why this Maryland–Michigan State matchup still matters

Evaluation window: With the transfer portal immediately ahead, this is live tape for quarterbacks, young linemen, and rotational defenders auditioning for 2026 snaps.
Staff decisions: Snap counts, packages, and situational usage hint at offseason priorities—who’s trusted on 3rd-and-medium, who closes halves, who gets the 2-minute drill.
Momentum & messaging: A crisp performance helps stabilize the locker room before exit meetings and sets a tone for winter conditioning.

Tactical keys: Maryland vs MI State

1) Third-down math
Michigan State’s defense has held up best when it wins early downs and tees off on 3rd-and-7+. If Maryland stays efficient on first down—quick game, perimeter screens, and light RPO tags—the chains keep moving and the Spartans’ pass rush is neutralized.

2) Explosives vs. red-zone finish
Maryland’s path leans on chunk plays to its wideouts and backs in space. MSU’s counter is to cap explosives and force field goals—especially indoors, where footing favors receivers but compressed red-zone windows reward physical corners.

3) QB legs and pocket movement
Both offenses benefit when the QB can extend. Designed keepers and sprint-outs change the launch point, slowing edge pressure and creating shallow crossers against zone.

4) Hidden yards
Special teams travel indoors. Net punting, return decisions, and penalty discipline can swing 40–60 yards of field position—often the difference in a one-score finish.

Michigan State snapshot entering tonight

• Record: 3–8 (0–8 Big Ten) heading into the finale

• Trend: The Spartans started 2–0, took a midseason step back during conference play, and arrive on an eight-game slide that’s featured competitive stretches undone by turnovers and third-down defense.

• What travels: Physicality at running back, flashes of edge pressure, and a willingness to take selective deep shots.

• What must improve tonight: Early-down efficiency on offense, explosive plays allowed, and situational football (two-minute defense and red-zone conversions).

Players and position groups to watch

• Spartans WR room vs. Maryland corners: MSU needs at least two explosive receptions (20+ yards) to unlock the run game and loosen intermediate windows.

• Maryland RB/slot usage: Misdirection and screens will test MSU’s pursuit angles; tackling after the catch is priority one.

• Trenches, both sides: The team that wins double-teams and second-level fits will own 2nd-and-short and the playbook leverage that comes with it.

• Kickers & holders: Indoors helps range, but operation time under pressure is everything; one shaky exchange can flip the script.

Prediction: Maryland vs Michigan State

Rivalry-weekend finales often hinge on motivation and clean execution. Indoors reduces weather variance and nudges scoring upward. If MSU protects the ball and steals a possession with special teams, the Spartans can grind this late. If Maryland hits two early explosives, game state favors the Terps’ tempo.

Lean: Maryland 27, Michigan State 23
Swing factors: +1 explosive play margin for Maryland, plus one red-zone stop holding MSU to three.

Michigan State football schedule — 2025 recap at a glance

Note: Conference listings and kickoff times reflected the latest game-week updates; results through Nov. 22 are final.

What’s next for Michigan State

• Exit meetings & portal triage: Honest role conversations reduce surprise departures.

• Strength/conditioning block: Winter gains matter most for the offensive line and edge room.

• Roster adds: A veteran interior OL, a field-stretching receiver, and a rotational defensive tackle headline offseason needs.

• Scheme refinement: Expect a continued emphasis on early-down efficiency and pressure packages that create takeaways rather than just sacks.

Final night, fast track, fresh tape. Maryland vs Michigan State won’t alter the postseason, but it will shape how both programs enter December—and that’s often where the next season really starts.