The 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by fifth-year head coach George Perles, the Spartans compiled an overall record of 9–2–1 with a mark 7–0–1 in conference play, winning the Big Ten title. Michigan State beat USC to win the 1988 Rose Bowl and finished the season ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. The first game of the season, also against USC, was the first night game ever at Spartan Stadium.

Schedule

Game summaries

USC

At Notre Dame

Florida State

At Iowa

Michigan

At Northwestern

Illinois

At Ohio State

Purdue

Indiana

At Wisconsin

Rose Bowl vs. USC

Personnel

1988 NFL draft

The following players were selected in the 1988 NFL draft. Team members Tony Mandarich, Andre Rison and Percy Snow were drafted in later years.