The Michigan State Spartans-Michigan Wolverines rivalry hasn’t been kind to Michigan State in recent years, with the Spartans losing the last three matchups.
Here’s a look at Michigan State ahead of their
tilt against Michigan on Saturday night at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State’s season so far
- 23-6 win vs. Western Michigan
- 42-40 win vs. Boston College
- 41-24 win vs. Youngstown State
- 45-31 loss at USC
- 38-27 loss at Nebraska
- 38-13 loss vs. UCLA
- 38-13 loss at Indiana
- CURRENT RECORD: 3-4
Offensive rankings
- Total Offense: No. 106
- Scoring Offense: No. 76
- Rushing Offense: No. 106
- Passing Offense: No. 86
- Team Passing Efficiency: No. 63
- Completion Percentage: No. 65
- 3rd Down Conversion Pct: No. 75
- Red Zone Offense: No. 25
- First Downs Offense: No. 91
- Time of Possession: No. 52
- Turnover Margin: No. 100
Defensive rankings
- Total defense: No. 88
- Rushing defense: No. 52
- Passing yards allowed: No. 109
- Team passing efficiency defense: No. 128
- Scoring defense: No. 119
- Team sacks: No. 81
- First downs: No. 64
- Passes intercepted: No. 100
- Red zone defense: No. 92
- 3rd down defense: No. 124
- Tackles for loss: No. 93
PFF data
- Overall: No. 89
- Defense: No. 92
- Offense: No. 77
- SOS played: No. 39
- % run plays: 43.1%
- % pass plays: 56.9%
The Jonathan Smith era isn’t going well
This is Smith’s second year as Michigan State’s head coach, and there’s a strong chance he won’t get a third season on the job. Michigan State finished the 2024 season at 5-7 and was tied for No. 12 in the Big Ten standings. Things are even worse this year. Michigan State started the season at 3-0 against inferior non-conference opponents, but has now lost four in a row, with all four being in Big Ten play. If Michigan State loses to Michigan, hot-seat chatter will only intensify for Smith.
Decent quarterback play
Aidan Chiles ranks No. 27 in QBR at 75.4 and has thrown for 1,262 yards, 10 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, with a 65.1 completion percentage. Chiles has also rushed for 235 yards and five rushing scores. After throwing 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in ‘24, Chiles has been more careful with the football this year, but hasn’t fared all that well in the month of October. Chiles has just one passing touchdown and two interceptions in three October games, including a completion percentage of less than 50% in two of those three tilts.
A struggling running game
Lead back Makhi Frazier has 384 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the season, but hasn’t totaled more than 61 rushing yards since Week 2. Frazier’s coming off his work week yet, rushing seven times against Indiana for just one yard.
Multiple receiving weapons
- WR Nick Marsh: 36 receptions, 404 yards, five touchdowns
- WR Omari Kelly: 27 receptions, 406 yards, one touchdown
- WR Chrishon McCray: 13 receptions, 207 yards, one touchdown
- TE Jack Velling: 17 receptions, 143 yards, two touchdowns
- TE Michael Masunas: 10 receptions, 115 yards, two touchdowns
Defensive players to watch
- LB Jordan Hall: 51 tackles (26 solo), two sacks, one forced fumble, one interception
- LB Wayne Matthews III: 41 tackles (15 solo), one interception
- DL Alex VanSumeren: 31 tackles (12 solo), 1.5 sacks
- DB Malik Smith: 29 tackles (20 solo), two sacks, one forced fumble, three passes defended
