The 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team went 9–2–1 overall and 7–0–1 in conference play, becoming Big Ten Conference champions. Michigan State beat Southern California to win the 1988 Rose Bowl, and finished the season ranked #8 in the AP and Coaches' polls. The first game of the season against Southern California was the first night game ever at Spartan Stadium.