The 1982 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third season under head coach Muddy Waters, the Spartans compiled a 2–9 overall record (2–7 against Big Ten opponents) and finished in a tie for eighth place in the Big Ten Conference. Two Spartans were recognized by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press International (UPI) on the 1981 All-Big Ten Conference football team: linebacker Carl Banks (AP-1; UPI-1); and defensive lineman Smiley Creswell (AP-2; UPI-2).