If you are frantically searching for what channel is Michigan State football on tonight, I have some news that might be a little bit of a bummer, but also a huge relief if you’re trying to plan your Saturday.
Honestly, the short answer is: they aren't playing. Not football, anyway.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you've been following the Spartans this year, you know the football season actually wrapped up back in late November. The Spartans finished their 2025-26 campaign with a 4-8 record, capped off by a solid 38-28 win over Maryland at Ford Field. Because they didn't hit that magic six-win mark, there’s no bowl game on the calendar for today.
But don't close your browser yet.
While the pads are tucked away in East Lansing, the Spartans are absolutely in action tonight in a different arena. If you saw "Michigan State vs. Washington" on your TV guide and got excited, it’s the No. 12 ranked Spartan Men’s Basketball team taking on the Huskies.
Where to Watch Michigan State Tonight
If you are looking for the Green and White on your television right now, you need to head over to the Big Ten Network (BTN).
The Spartans are out in Seattle at the Alaska Airlines Arena. This isn't a late-night "Pac-12 After Dark" vibe anymore; since it’s a Big Ten conference matchup now, the timing is a bit more Midwest-friendly. The tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET.
Quick Viewing Specs:
- Game: Michigan State at Washington (Men's Basketball)
- Time: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT
- TV Channel: Big Ten Network
- Live Stream: FOX Sports App (requires cable login)
- Radio: Spartan Media Network (WJR-AM 760 in Detroit or local affiliates)
Why is Everyone Searching for Football?
It’s actually kinda funny how often this happens. The transition from the gridiron to the hardwood in East Lansing is always a bit blurry for fans. Maybe it’s the cold weather or just the habit of checking the schedule every Saturday morning.
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Also, the "Big Ten" expansion has confused everyone. Seeing Michigan State play Washington on a Saturday feels like it should be a football game. A few years ago, this would have been a high-profile non-conference football tilt. Now, it’s just another Tuesday or Saturday night in the new-look Big Ten basketball circuit.
The 2025 football season was a bit of a rollercoaster. We saw some flashes of brilliance from Aidan Chiles—that kid has an arm—but the consistency just wasn't there yet under the new regime. Missing a bowl game means the "football tonight" searches usually peak right about now when people realize the NFL playoffs are on and they're craving some Spartan action.
What Happened to the Football Schedule?
To be crystal clear for anyone still hoping for a late-season miracle: the football season is 100% over.
The team played their last game on November 29, 2025. They won that one, which was a nice way to send the seniors off, but the 1-8 conference record kept them out of the postseason. While teams like Michigan and Ohio State were playing in the Citrus Bowl or the College Football Playoff earlier this month, the Spartans have already pivoted to recruiting and spring ball prep.
If you really need a football fix tonight, you’re looking at the NFL Divisional Round. But if you want to see the Spartan logo, basketball is your only bet.
Transitioning to Hoops Mode
Tom Izzo has this team humming right now. They are 15-2 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten. They just dismantled Indiana 81-60 earlier this week, and Jeremy Fears Jr. looks like he’s finally becoming the floor general everyone expected. He dropped 23 points against the Hoosiers.
Tonight’s game against Washington is a trap game, honestly. Traveling to the West Coast is never easy, even if the Huskies are struggling near the bottom of the conference standings. The noise in Seattle is legit.
How to Stream if You Don’t Have Cable
Since the game is on Big Ten Network, you can't just find it on a standard antenna. You’ll need a subscription service. Most people use:
- Hulu + Live TV
- YouTube TV (usually the most reliable for sports)
- FuboTV
- Sling TV (Blue package with the Sports Extra add-on)
If you have a login from a friend or parent (we've all been there), you can use the FOX Sports app. Just make sure you log in early so you aren't fighting with the password reset screen while the Spartans are already on a 10-0 run.
What’s Next for Spartan Fans?
Once tonight’s game in Seattle wraps up, the team stays out west. They head down to Eugene to play Oregon on Tuesday night. That’s going to be a late one—9:00 PM ET.
For football fans, the next big date on your calendar isn't "tonight." It’s National Signing Day and then the Spring Game. We are basically in the dark days of the football offseason, where we just watch transfer portal news and hope for a better offensive line next September.
Your next move: Flip the channel to Big Ten Network now to catch the pre-game coverage before the 6:00 PM tip-off. If you’re away from a TV, download the Spartan Sports Network app to listen to the legendary radio call for free.