The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1523593
THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 129 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE For the 27th time in program history, Michigan State has a new head coach. Jonathan Smith is in charge after six sea- sons at Oregon State, where he won 65.8 percent of his games in his final three years. While Smith was putting together an 8-4 campaign in Corvallis, the Spartans were an embarrassment in a num- ber of ways in 2023. Head coach Mel Tucker was fired in September after a filed com- plaint was made public accus- ing him of sexually harassing sexual assault awareness ad- vocate Brenda Tracy. Interim head coach Harlon Barnett took over and helped the team limp to a 4-8 finish, missing a bowl game for the third time in four seasons. The Spartans lost four games by more than 30 points, including 49-0 to Michigan in what was the most lopsided home setback in the history of Spartan Stadium. Smith has attempted to provide a jolt of life into the Big Ten bottom feeder, adding more than 20 transfers, includ- ing several who are slated to make big impacts right away. Sophomore Aidan Chiles is one of three former Beavers on the roster, and he'll start at quarterback this fall after playing a backup role as a freshman in Corvallis. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder completed 24 of 35 passes for 309 yards and 4 touch- downs in nine appearances. The former four-star, top-175 recruit was the No. 7 quarterback and 30th-best overall player in the country to transfer this offseason, per On3's rankings. Junior tight end Jack Velling was one of the top targets for Oregon State last sea- son and joins his former teammate in East Lansing. The 6-foot-5, 246-pounder set a single-season program record for a tight end with 8 touchdown receptions, part of a 29-catch, 438-yard campaign that earned him second-team All-Pac-12 honors. Michigan State will have a revamped offensive line with only one returning starter. There are just three offensive players who opened half of MSU's games a year ago, but that includes the team's leading rusher in redshirt junior Nate Carter (798 yards, 4 touch- downs) and top receiver in red- shirt senior wideout Montorie Foster Jr. (576 yards, 3 TDs). Joe Rossi spent the last four seasons coordinating a Minne- sota defensive unit that posted two top-10 finishes in points allowed per game (fourth in 2022 and sixth in 2021). Smith brought him in to lead the Spartan defense ahead of this season, and he has his work cut out for him. Last season, MSU slotted 70th or worse in the country against the run and pass and in scoring and total defense. T h re e s ta r t i n g d e fe n s ive linemen transferred out of the program, creating a big question mark in a front seven that's led by graduate line- backer Cal Haladay (91 tackles, 5.5 for loss in 2023). The back end has been a weak- ness for years, with the Spartans finish- ing 87th or lower in the land in passing defense each of the last three seasons. A trio of cornerback transfers should help, with Jeremiah Hughes (LSU), Nikai Mar- tinez (UCF) and Lejond Cavazos (North Carolina) expected to compete for time. All-Big Ten honorable mention safety Jaden Mangham — one of nine Spar- tans to earn all-conference honors last season — transferred to Michigan this offseason. ❑ 2024 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2023 Result Aug. 31 Florida Atlantic — Sept. 7 at Maryland L, 31-9 Sept. 14 Prairie View A&M — Sept. 21 at Boston College — Sept. 28 Ohio State L, 38-3 Oct. 4 at Oregon — Oct. 19 Iowa L, 26-16 Oct. 26 at Michigan L, 49-0 Nov. 2 Indiana W, 24-21 Nov. 16 at Illinois — Nov. 22 Purdue — Nov. 30 Rutgers L, 27-24 GAME 8 • MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS • OCT. 26 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 73-38-5 First Meeting: U-M 39, MSU 0 (Oct. 12, 1898 in Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: U-M 49, MSU 0 (Oct. 21, 2023 in East Lansing, Mich.) Head Coach: Jonathan Smith, 0-0 at MSU (first year) and 34-35 overall (seventh year) 2023 In Review: 4-8, 2-7 Big Ten (6th East) Final 2023 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 11 (3 offense, 6 defense, 2 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2021 (Peach Bowl vs. Pittsburgh, W 31-21) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Alante Brown (42 yards) Rushing: Nate Carter (798 yards, 1 TD) Receiving: Montorie Foster Jr. (576 yards, 3 TD) Tackles: Cal Haladay (91) Sacks: Jordan Hall (4.5) Interceptions: Angelo Grose (2) Michigan State Entering Year 1 Under Jonathan Smith Michigan State sophomore Aidan Chiles, out of Downey (Calif.) High, was the No. 12 quarterback recruit in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN STATE ATHLETICS REASONS FOR OPTIMISM • QB Aidan Chiles could break out • Solid transfers at positions of need • Jonathan Smith brings stability If Chiles lives up to the hype, having a good quarterback is a great place to start entering this new era. Smith also landed some other key talent from the portal. REASONS FOR CONCERN • Defensive line was decimated • Offensive line to be built from scratch • Lack of difference-makers Michigan State brought in some talented pieces but doesn't possess the type of players that make opponents fearful. Additionally, it's a big question if they can hang with top opponents on the line of scrimmage.