In their seventh season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 6–2–1 overall record (4–2 against Big Ten opponents), finished in fourth place in the Big Ten Conference, and were ranked No.
[1][2] Halfback Herb Adderly was selected by the United Press International as a first-team player on the 1960 All-Big Ten Conference football team.
In the annual Indiana–Michigan State football rivalry game, the Spartans defeated the Hoosiers by a 35 to 0 score.
In the Notre Dame rivalry game, the Spartans defeated the Fighting Irish by a 21 to 0 score.
And, in the annual Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry game, the Spartans defeated the Wolverines by a 24 to 17 score.