EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan State has announced it's moving up next season's home games against Bowling Green and Western Michigan.
Officials said Thursday the Spartans' home opener against Bowling Green is set for Sept. 2, one week earlier than originally scheduled. Michigan State hosts Western Michigan on Sept. 9, also a week ahead.
The revised schedule also includes a bye scheduled for Sept. 16 that had been set for the first week of the season. Sept. 2 initially was reserved for Alabama, but that series was cancelled in 2013.
Michigan State, which went 3-9 this year, will open 2017 with four consecutive home games for the first time since 2002. It will play seven home games, including Big Ten opponents Iowa, Indiana, Penn State and Maryland.