1988 Michigan State Spartans football team

1988 Michigan State Spartans football
Gator Bowl, L 27–34 vs. Georgia
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record6–5–1 (6–1–1 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMorris Watts (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorNorm Parker (1st season)
MVPKurt Larson
Captains
Home stadiumSpartan Stadium
1988 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 4 Michigan $ 7 0 19 2 1
Michigan State 6 1 16 5 1
Illinois 5 2 16 5 1
Iowa 4 1 36 4 3
No. 20 Indiana 5 3 08 3 1
Purdue 3 5 04 7 0
Ohio State 2 5 14 6 1
Northwestern 2 5 12 8 1
Wisconsin 1 7 01 10 0
Minnesota 0 6 22 7 2
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1988 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan and were coached by George Perles. The team finished second in the Big Ten Conference with a 6–1–1 conference record, and a 6–5–1 overall record. Michigan State was invited to the 1989 Gator Bowl, losing to Georgia 27–34.