The Spartans were coming off a
7–5 season which ended with a victory in the
2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic over the
Fresno State Bulldogs. However, the 2002 season turned out to be very different. The Spartans finished 4–8, their worst record since 1994, and second losing season out of the previous three. Michigan State also finished 2–6 in the Big Ten, their 3rd straight losing season in Big Ten play.
The Spartans were coming off a
7–5 season which ended with a victory in the
2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic over the
Fresno State Bulldogs. However, the 2002 season turned out to be very different. The Spartans finished 4–8, their worst record since 1994, and second losing season out of the previous three. Michigan State also finished 2–6 in the Big Ten, their 3rd straight losing season in Big Ten play.