At First Glance: Week 8 Michigan State Spartans

Nov 30, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) looks for a receiver in the snow against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images Week Eight: Michigan State Spartans Date: Saturday, October 18 (Homecoming) Time: Noon ET Venue: Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana TV: TBA Spartans at a Glance Head Coach: Jonathan Smith Entering his second season as Michigan State head coach Record at MSU: 5-7 (3-6) Overall Record: 39-42 Last Season: 5-7 (3-6) Spartans Returning Leaders Passing: Aidan Chiles – 192 for 323 (59.4%) 2,415 yards, 13 Touchdowns 11 Interceptions Rushing: Aidan Chiles – 97 carries for 225 yards 3 touchdowns Receiving: Nick Marsh – 41 receptions for 649 yards 3 TDs Tackles: Nikai Martinez – FS – 51 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2 INTs Spartans Preseason Predictions Win Total: 5.5 (-145 Over/+120 Under) Playoff Odds: Yes (+1800)/No (Off) To Win Big Ten: Off S&P+: 64th (107thoffense/32nd defense) Athlon Sports: 14th Phil Steele: 14th Lindy’s: 14th Impact Newcomers for the Spartans Joshua Eaton, CB (Transfer from Texas State) Connor Moore, OT (Transfer from Montana State) Omari Kelly, WR (Transfer From Middle Tennessee St) Biggest Questions Facing the Spartan Just How Big of a Crater did Mel Tucker Leave the Program in? Can Aidan Chiles Mature in His Game? Will Michigan State Take Advantage of not Playing Ohio State and Oregon? Can the Offensive Line Improve? Oct 19, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) evades Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back John Nestor (7) in the third quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images Program Preview It has been over two years since the Mel Tucker scandal at Michigan State and the climb out of that hole is seemingly taking longer than expected. Tucker was let go after the first two games (2-0) of the 2023 season and the Spartans have been 7-13 since. The optimism surrounding head coach Jonathan Smith and quarterback Aiden Chiles was high heading into last season, but the Spartans finished 5-7 (3-6) and missed a bowl game for the third consecutive season. Chiles struggled with turnovers and the defense was gashed by injury. The outlook for the Spartans is tempered in 2025 as they are picked near the bottom of the Big Ten. In a season where the schedule avoids clashes with Ohio State and Oregon, the Spartans do get to host Michigan and Penn State and have a trip out west to face USC. While it may be easier, it’s not that much easier. Michigan State was sloppy and undisciplined last season. The Spartans turned the ball over 20 times and committed 30 more penalties than their opponents. The offense will need improved offensive line play and Chiles to take care of the ball. The Spartans do have Nick Marsh back at wide receiver who everyone is sleeping on. The defense has been the bedrock of Michigan State for nearly 20 years and that won’t change this year, but they have to stay healthy and find a replacement for Cal Haladay.. A second-straight bowl-less season for Smith could have him move on to the hot seat sooner than people think. The season may swing on their non-conference matchup at home with Boston College. A 3-0 start before trips to USC and Nebraska is a must. Offensive Preview The offense will go as the offensive line and quarterback Aidan Chiles go. Michigan State’s offensive line allowed 36 sacks (3 per game) in 2024. That was second worst in the Big Ten. Chiles could never get comfortable. All that pressure led Michigan State to turn the ball over 19 times and finish the season with the second-worst turnover margin in the Big Ten (-8). In an effort to beef up the protection of Chiles, MSU brought in Connor Moore to play the right tackle spot. Moore was a two-time All-American in the FCS at Montana State. Luka Vincic who played for Smith at Oregon State comes over after playing in 21 games over the last three years with the Beavers. Kristian Phillips who started the opener for the Spartans last year is back from injury. Stanton Ramil started eight games last year and will return to take the left tackle spot. Senior Matt Gulbin transferred in from Wake Forest and will start at center. There is only one way for this unit to go and they upgraded at every position, but depth could be an issue. Quarterback Aiden Chiles came into the Big Ten with gigantic expectations after showing some bright spots in limited time at Oregon State. He was not as effective as the full-time starter. Chiles has all the tools to be great. It’s not a secret as to why the national media loved him, but he was not ready. Chiles can run well and has a big arm, but turnovers and sacks derailed what could have been a solid year. If he can cut down on the interceptions and his offensive line can protect him, Michigan State’s offense will be much better. The Spartans better hope he stays healthy as there is no experienced depth behind him with three redshirt freshmen (Alessio Milivokevic, Rykand Jessee, and Atticus Carridine). The Spartans have built their wide receiver room around sophomore Nick Marsh, which they should because he’s a stud. Marsh torched IU last year and would have been a 1,000-yard receiver if he didn’t miss four games with injury. Marsh made 41 catches for 649 yards. Omari Kelly comes in from MTSU after two years at Auburn. He was All-C-CUSA last year with over 800 yards receiving. Chrishon McCray spent three years at Kent State and has over 1,300 yards to his name. Alante Brown was a starter last year after three years at Nebraska. He’ll be good depth if he can stay healthy. The running back room was completely gutted. Elijah Tau-Tolliver joins the Spartans from Sacramento State where he played in 41 games and had 1,538 career rushing yards. Sophomore Brandon Tullis played in eight games last year, but only ran for 20 yards. Mahki Fraizer has some experience as well, but not much production. Jack Velling is back at tight end after having 411 receiving yards in 10 games. He’s a big target at 6’4” and 244 pounds. Michael Masunas had four starts over the past two seasons, but has been rarely used. Michigan quarterback Alex Orji (10) is brought down by Michigan State defensive back Malik Spencer (43) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Defensive Preview Michigan State saw cracks in the foundation that made them one of the best Big Ten teams of the 2010’s, the defense. The Spartans finished 15th in the Big Ten in points allowed per game (26.1) and 10th in total yards allowed per game (332). MSU runs a 4-2-5 defense that will feature a mix of veteran playmakers and youth. They brought in some experienced transfers to help boost production. The defense should be solid, but can they carry the load again? The Spartans will have to replace Cal Haladay who was the heart and soul of the defense for what seemed like a decade. Junior Jordan Hall will step into those shoes, but needs to stay healthy. He has 91 career tackles in 24 games. Wayne Matthews, a transfer from ODU, should be his running mate in the middle of the defense. He has a ton of experience with 141 tackles in his career. Juniors Jalen Thompson, Alex VanSumeren and Isaac Smith are joined by senior Grady Kelly up front for the Spartans. MSU will need more production from the front seven as they finished 2024 16th in the Big Ten in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss. The lack of pressure created made a really talented secondary look average. Michigan State returns Malik Spencer at the boundary safety and Chance Rucker at the field corner position. Malcolm Bell started 25 games at UConn over the last four seasons at UConn and will provide experienced depth at corner. Joshua Eaton comes in from Oklahoma and should start at the boundary corner position. He played in 18 games in a reserve role with the Sooners. Nikai Martinez had two interceptions last season and will start at free safety. Special Teams Preview All-Big Ten punter Ryan Eckley returns after averaging 47 yards per punt. With the departure of Jonathan Kim, there is a battle for the field goal and extra point duties. The combatants will be between Martin Connington and Tarik Ahmetbasic. They have a combined one extra point between them. Wide receivers Alante Brown and Omari Kelly are expected to handle the return duties. 2025 FIRST GLANCE PREVIEWS Week One: Old Dominion Week Two: Kennesaw State Week Three: Indiana State Week Four: Illinois Fighting Illini Week Five: Iowa Hawkeyes Week Seven: Oregon Ducks Subscribe to get access Read more of this content when you subscribe today. Log in

At First Glance: Week 8 Michigan State Spartans

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