1976 Michigan State Spartans football team

The 1976 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1976 Big Ten football season. In their first season under head coach Darryl Rogers, the Spartans compiled a 4–6–1 record (3–5 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for seventh place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 278 to 236. In three games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 4 Ohio State, No. 18 Notre Dame, and No. 1 Michigan.

On offense, the Spartans gained an average of 175.5 rushing yards and 211.1 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 256.5 rushing yards and 116.2 passing yards per game. The individual statistical leaders included quarterback Ed Smith with 1,749 passing yards (tops in the Big Ten), Richard Baes with 931 rushing yards, and flanker Kirk Gibson with 39 receptions for 748 receiving yards (tops in the Big Ten). Baes was selected as the team's most valuable player.

Seven Spartans were selected by either the Associated Press (AP) or the United Press International (UPI) for the 1976 All-Big Ten Conference football teams: tight end Mike Cobb (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive back Tommy Hannon (AP-1, UPI-1); flanker Kirk Gibson (AP-2, UPI-2); center Al Pitts (AP-2, UPI-2); defensive tackle Larry Bethea (AP-2, UPI-2); offensive tackle Tony Bruggenthies (AP-2); and defensive end Otto Smith (UPI-2).

The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.

• DB No. 16 Mark Anderson, Fr.
• TE Mike Cobb, Sr.
• RB Jim Earley, Jr.
• WR Kirk Gibson, So.
• LB No, 57 Larry Savage, Fr.

On October 9, 1976, Michigan State played its cross-state rival Michigan in the annual battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The Wolverines had won six straight games with the last victory for the Spartans dating back to 1969. Michigan extended the streak to seven games with a 42-10 victory at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's 42 points was the most it had scored against Michigan State since 1947.

Fullback Rob Lytle rushed for 180 yards on 10 carries, including a 45-yard gain on a fake punt and a 75-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. After the game, Bo Schembechler said of Lytle, "If that guy isn't an All-American, I don't know who is." Lytle added, "All backs like to break away on a long one like that. It was the longest run I've had at Michigan. In fact, I think this was my biggest day ever." Harlan Huckleby rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Russell Davis added 91 yards on 13 carries. In all, the Wolverines rushed for 442 yards on 62 carries against the Spartans. Quarterback Rick Leach completed five of seven passes for 93 yards and rushed for 36 yards on 11 carries. Wolfman Jerry Zuver scored Michigan's final touchdown on a 60-yard interception return in the fourth quarter.

In the AP Poll released on the Monday after the game, Michigan retained its #1 ranking with 57 out of 60 first-place votes and 1,194 points out of a possible 1,200 points. Pittsburgh was ranked #2 with the remaining three first-place votes.