2025 Michigan State Preview: Year Two Of The Smith Era

Top Storylines

• The Aidan Chiles Era, Take Two: Quarterback Aidan Chiles, who transferred with Smith from Oregon State, is the undeniable face of the program. He showed flashes of his high-upside talent last year but was also inconsistent, struggling with turnovers at times. With a full year in the system, the spotlight is on Chiles to develop into a more consistent and explosive playmaker. His performance will dictate the ceiling of the offense.
• The Rebuilt Trenches: One of the most significant changes from last year is the overhaul of the offensive and defensive lines. The Spartans struggled to run the ball and get a consistent pass rush in 2024. A number of key transfers have been brought in to fortify both lines, and their ability to gel and become a physical force will be critical to the team’s success in the Big Ten.
• Instant-Impact Transfers: Michigan State has aggressively utilized the transfer portal to fill key gaps. On offense, the additions of running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver and wide receiver Omari Kelly are expected to provide immediate production. On defense, transfers like linebacker Wayne Matthews III and defensive lineman Grady Kelly are counted on to improve a unit that needs to be more disruptive.

Key Players to Watch

• Aidan Chiles, QB: The junior quarterback is the leader of the offense. He possesses a strong arm and excellent mobility, but his decision-making will need to improve for the Spartans to take the next step.
• Nick Marsh, WR: The sophomore wide receiver is coming off a record-setting freshman season and is poised to be Chiles’s primary target. His combination of size and speed makes him a legitimate threat to become one of the Big Ten’s best receivers.
• Jack Velling, TE: A Mackey Award watch list honoree, Velling is an exceptional tight end who transferred from Oregon State with Coach Smith. He is a reliable target in the passing game and a physical presence in the run game.
• Jordan Hall, LB: The leader of the defense, Hall is a talented and athletic linebacker who will be relied upon to make plays all over the field. He is a key piece of the defensive rebuild.

Key Games

• vs. Boston College (September 6th): This early-season non-conference matchup is a must-win for the Spartans’ confidence. Boston College is a Power Four opponent, so a win here would be a significant step toward bowl eligibility and an early indicator that the team has improved from last season.
• at USC (September 20th): A fascinating Big Ten road opener, this game pits the new-look Spartans against a fellow West Coast Big Ten transplant. This will be an early test of MSU’s defensive improvements and ability to travel and play in a hostile environment against a team with a potent offense.
• vs. Michigan (October 25th): The annual rivalry game against the Wolverines is always a highlight. This year, it’s a home game for the Spartans. While Michigan is a perennial Big Ten contender, a win in this game would be an enormous boost for the program and would earn Coach Smith a lot of goodwill from the fanbase.

Final Prediction

The Spartans will be a much-improved team this year, showing signs of the tough, physical identity Jonathan Smith is trying to instill. They will be more competitive in Big Ten play, but the schedule is still very difficult.

Final Record: 7-5 Losses to: USC, Michigan, Penn State, Iowa, and Nebraska. Wins over: Western Michigan, Boston College, Youngstown State, UCLA, Indiana, Minnesota, and Maryland.