1939 Michigan State

4–⁠4–⁠1, coached by Charlie Bachman.

Schedule and results

Michigan State in 1939, game by game: won vs. Wayne State 16–0; lost at Michigan 13–26; lost vs. Marquette 14–17; lost at Purdue 7–20; won vs. Illinois Wesleyan 13–6; won at Syracuse 14–3; lost at No. 16 Santa Clara 0–6; tied vs. Indiana 7–7; won vs. Temple 18–7+16−13Won 16–0 vs. Wayne State+16Wayne StateLost 13–26 at Michigan-13MichiganLost 14–17 vs. Marquette-3MarquetteLost 7–20 at Purdue-13PurdueWon 13–6 vs. Illinois Wesleyan+7Illinois Wesley…Won 14–3 at Syracuse+11SyracuseLost 0–6 at No. 16 Santa Clara-6No. 16 Santa ClaraTied 7–7 vs. Indiana0IndianaWon 18–7 vs. Temple+11Temple
Each game’s margin, wins above the line and losses below.

Elo: a pregame chance from scores alone.

How it ended: Beat Temple 18–⁠7; unranked in the final AP poll.

In program history: The 62nd-best season in program history by end-of-season Elo (of 122 on file).

Record
4–⁠4–⁠1
Conference
—
AP final
Unranked
Points
102–⁠92
Coach
Charlie Bachman
Elo
1542 −33 this season
SP+ rating
—
SRS
3.1 No. 49 of 124 major-college teams
Recruiting class
—
Captains
Michael Kinek and Lyle Rockenbach
Most valuable player
Lyle Rockenbach
Offense
Notre Dame Box