It is hard to believe the season is already a quarter of the way through. What is even harder to believe is this is the first time since the 2006 & 2007 seasons that MSU has begun consecutive seasons with at least a 3-0 start. Before we look forward and see if the Spartans can continue the winning streak, we look back on the first three games to analyze the performance thus far.
We are giving out grades to each unit on the team. These grades only represent the performances from the first three weeks;
there are no comparisons being made to last year and no consideration given to how injuries could impact the unit moving forward. For each position group, we will share some stats from the leading player(s) and hand out a grade. And you get to vote on each unit as well.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: B+
Aidan Chiles, QB: 58-81 (72%), 656 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT; 30 rushes, 123 yards (4.1 avg), 1 TD
Aidan has made some serious strides since a season ago, is playing under control, taking calculated risks, and is deadly accurate within 25-ish yards. Perhaps his biggest area of improvement is his willingness to use his legs and not only extend plays but take off and run to convert third and long situations, rather than force risky throws. Only thing keeping him from an A is his inconsistency with the deep ball.
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends: A
Nick Marsh, WR: 16 catches, 194 yards (12.1 avg), 3 TDs
Omari Kelly, WR: 15 catches, 184 yards (12.3 avg)
Nick Marsh is still Nick Marsh, Omari Kelly has been electric, and Chrishon McCray and Rodney Bullard are quality depth pieces. Michael Masunas has shown out, and now that Jack Velling is healthy the TE room is dangerous.
Running Backs: B-
Makhi Frazier, RB: 43 carries, 206 yards (4.8 avg), 2 TDs
Brandon Tullis, RB: 18 carries, 112 yards (6.2 avg), 2 TDs
Tullis blitz pickup brings this down
Offensive Line: D+
Not much to say here. The rotation needs to be cut down as some of the depth pieces are not up to the task. Of course, injuries are pushing some of those names onto the field.
Overall Offensive Grade: B-
Chiles is much improved and there are playmakers, but the line is giving up too many sacks. Credit goes out to OC Brian Lindgren and his much-improved play-calling from a season ago.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line: D-
Anelu Lafaele, Edge: 3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
It should tell you all you need to know that I am only mentioning one member of this position group. They are getting no pressure on opposing quarterbacks, though they are doing better (low bar, I know) against the run.
Linebackers: B-
Jordan Hall, LB: 27 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Wayne Matthews III, LB: 24 tackles, 1 interception
Hall and Matthews have made some plays but Hall has struggled to communicate the formations at times. Brady Pretzlaff looks promising, and Darius Snow provides great depth and assistance in pass coverage. Need these guys to step up as leaders and hopefully provide some more pressure on opposing quarterbacks on blitzes.
Secondary: D+
Armorion Smith, Safety: 9 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery
Not getting much help from the DL so maybe there’s a lot of pressure on this group. Smith has made some nice plays when needed but the opposing QBs’ numbers the last two games speak for themselves.
Overall Defensive Grade: D+
After a shutout against Western, it’s been pretty rough with no pass rush and opposing QB’s getting pretty much whatever they want.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Martin Connington, Kicker: 6/6 XPs, 4/4 FGs, Long 50 yards
Blake Sislo, Kicker: 6/6 XPs, 0/0 FGs
Ryan Eckley, Punter: 10 punts, 52.0 yard average, 7 inside the 20-yard line, 4 inside the 5-yard line
Alante Brown, KR: 3 kick returns, 122 yards (40.7 average leads Big Ten and is #7 in nation)
Omari Kelly, PR: 6 punt returns, 118 yards (19.7 average is #5 in Big Ten)
Overall Special Teams Grade: A
Return game has been a refreshing surprise so far, Eckley has been outstanding, and the Connington/Sislo combo at K has gotten the job done.
COACHING
The big knock on the Coach Jonathan Smith and his staff last year was their inability to make positive adjustments at halftime, which infamously led to MSU being outscored in each game in 2024. That trend continued in the opener against Western (outscored 2-6 after halftime), but finally reversed in the last two games. On defense, there are still too many mistakes and miscommunications. Special teams has been great. And on offense, as mentioned above, Lindgren has done a nice job. The increased usage of two tight ends and the play action game has been beneficial. Just need to get the running game back on track.
And, perhaps most importantly, this team is tougher than a year ago. They are giving effort until the end of the game, even if it takes two overtimes to get there. Last year, players were quitting, especially as the season went on. We have not seen that this year and hopefully we never do.
Overall Coaching Grade: B-
