The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 129 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE There was a brief glimmer of hope just over halfway into Michigan State's 2024 season. The Spartans secured a 32-20 victory over Iowa, which finished the year with eight wins. MSU rushed for 212 yards, passed for 256 and displayed better ball security in the process. However, after a close 24-17 loss to Michigan the following week, the Spartans entered a three-game losing streak that all but dashed their hopes of bowl eligibility. In the season finale, they were blown out 41-14 by Rutgers in East Lansing, finishing 5-7 and missing out on a bowl appearance for the third straight year. With no bowl appearances since 2021 and 11 seasons with sub-.500 records in the last 25 years, there are questions about the direction the program is head- ing, highlighted by an inability to recruit at a high level. Jonathan Smith took over in an unenvi- able spot, replacing the fired Mel Tucker, and the hope is the turnaround will begin to take place in Year 2. So much of that will hinge on the play of junior quarterback Aidan Chiles, who fol- lowed Smith from Oregon State ahead of the 2024 campaign. Chiles is a tremendous athlete at 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds, but he's been shaky, especially with turnovers. He gave the ball away 16 times last season (11 interceptions, 5 lost fumbles), but showed progress with only four of those giveaways coming in the final six games. The second year as a starter is the break- out season for many quarterbacks, and MSU will need him to take a big jump after connecting on 59.4 percent of his passes for 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024. The most talented player on the roster is a nice safety blanket to have. Sophomore Nick Marsh has All-America potential after setting freshman program records with 41 catches and 649 yards. The 6-3, 201-pound Detroit native can take over games, as he did with 194 yards and a score against Maryland and 113 yards versus Iowa. MSU lost its top two running backs from a year ago, but the rushing offense was abysmal anyway, averaging only 115.3 yards per game (110th nationally). Sacramento State transfer Elijah Tau-Tolliver dashed for 950 yards on the ground and caught 38 passes for 317 yards in the FCS last season. The Spartans will have a new-look of- fensive line with only one returning starter projected to be in the top five again in 2025 — redshirt sophomore left tackle Stanton Ramil. He's expected to take a step forward, and FCS All-American Conner Moore, a redshirt junior right tackle, will look to translate his game up a division. Senior Omari Kelly (Middle Tennessee) was another key transfer portal pickup. The wide receiver reeled in 53 receptions for 869 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi has five starters back, led by a safety duo that fig- ures to be formidable. Seniors Nikai Mar- tinez (51 tackles, 2 interceptions) and Malik Spencer (44 tackles, 1 interception) com- bined for 95 tackles and 3 picks last season. More production out of the pass-rush unit would help the secondary. The Spar- tans checked in 104th nationally with only 1.6 sacks per game, despite having a solid passing defense overall, ranking 46th in the nation by giving up only 206.9 yards per game through the air. More disruption overall would be a boost after MSU forced only 11 turnovers last season. The Spartans ranked 34th in the coun- try in total defense last year, but were 110th on third down and tied for 102nd in red zone touchdown percentage defense. In 2025, Smith's goal is to make it to a bowl game for the fourth time in eight years as a head coach. While he has a re- turning quarterback, some weapons and a capable defense, that will be a challenge with a tough schedule that includes five Big Ten road trips and home games against Michigan and Penn State. ❑ Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh had 10 receptions of 20-plus yards in 2024. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN STATE ATHLETICS 2025 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2024 Result Aug. 29 WESTERN MICHIGAN — Sept. 6 BOSTON COLLEGE L, 23-19 Sept. 13 YOUNGSTOWN STATE — Sept. 20 at USC — Oct. 4 at Nebraska — Oct. 11 UCLA — Oct. 18 at Indiana L, 47-10 Oct. 25 MICHIGAN L, 24-17 Nov. 1 at Minnesota — Nov. 15 PENN STATE — Nov. 22 at Iowa W, 32-20 Nov. 29 vs. Maryland* W, 27-24 * At Ford Field in Detroit REASONS FOR OPTIMISM • Returning starter at quarterback • WR Nick Marsh is a difference-maker • DC Joe Rossi has pieced together Big Ten defenses before QB Aidan Chiles holds the keys to Michigan State's fate as a bowl team or another sub- .500 group. REASONS FOR CONCERN • QB is coming off a rough season • Lack of defenders that opponents fear • A new-look offensive line A lot of pieces will have to come together around Chiles for MSU to return to a bowl game, let alone become a CFP contender. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS • OCT. 25 • GAME 8 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 74-38-5 First Meeting: U-M 39, MSU 0 (Oct. 12, 1898, in Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: U-M 24, MSU 17 (Oct. 26, 2024, in Ann Arbor) Head Coach: Jonathan Smith, 5-7 at Michi- gan State (second year) and 39-42 overall (eighth) 2024 In Review: 5-7, 3-6 Big Ten Final 2024 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 11 (5 offense, 5 de- fense, 1 specialist) Last Bowl Appearance: 2021 (Peach Bowl vs. Pittsburgh, W 31-21) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Aidan Chiles (2,415 yards, 13 TD) Rushing: Aidan Chiles (225 yards, 3 TD) Receiving: Nick Marsh (649 yards, 3 TD) Tackles: Nikai Martinez (51) Sacks: Alex VanSumeren (1.5) Interceptions: Nikai Martinez (2) Michigan State Seeking First Bowl Appearance Since 2021