Maryland (1-0) comes into Saturday's game versus Michigan State (1-0) looking to open Big Ten play with a win over the Spartans for a second straight season while also extending their win streak versus Sparty to three straight.
The Terps looked sharp last week in their season opener, dismantling UConn by a final score of 50-7. Redshirt junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. got the start and impressed, throwing for 311 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Spartans, meanwhile, did not look particularly sharp last week, but did come away with a 16-10 victory over Florida Atlantic in their opener.
RELATED: Watch Mike Locksley preview Michigan State
TSR went in depth with Spartans Illustrated's Ryan O'Bleness to get some perspective on the Spartans and his thoughts on Saturday's matchup between Maryland and Michigan State.
What are Michigan State fans' expectations for the year following the team's season-opening win over Florida Atlantic. What would make this a successful season?
I would say the majority of Michigan State's fans came away underwhelmed with MSUs 16-10 win over Florida Atlantic to open the 2024 season. With that said, it's always nice to start a new campaign 1-0 and the Spartans showed the ability to bounce back from some adversity late in the game. The team was also a couple of plays away from scoring two or three more times and making the final score a blowout, but turnovers and lack of execution from the offense kept the game close. However, the defense looked as good as its looked since maybe before the Mel Tucker era -- ferocious pass rush, strong coverage and several linebackers flowing and making plays -- but the competition level was relatively weak and FAU quarterback Cam Fancher, who struggled to throw the ball all night, is likely not the kind of player who should be the benchmark to judge off of yet.
Overall, though, maybe the projected win total by some fans dips a bit, but I think the minimum goal remains the same -- win at least six games and earn a guaranteed bowl game. Remember, there are 61 new players on the roster this year and an (almost) all-new coaching staff. Witnessing some Week One growing pains was not surprising to me. I believe the majority of fans understand this is the first year of a complete rebuild under a new head coach, and I would surmise that the majority of Spartan supporters believe in Smith's vision for the future of the program, which I will get more into in the following question. It's obviously going to take some time to build this thing from scratch and there are going to be ups and downs along the way.
For the most part, MSU fans will be happy if the team gets to at least six victories, make a bowl game and perhaps win said bowl game. Anything after that is a cherry on top for realistic fans.
The Spartans have a first-year head coach in former Oregon State quarterback Jonathan Smith. How, if any, has the culture of the team changed under Smith? What style of play should Terp fans expect from Michigan State on offense this year?
OK, long-winded answer incoming. I think the change in culture and attitude is palpable. Obviously, Michigan State is coming off of a major scandal due to Tucker's that came out publicly last year. Several players left for the transfer portal, many new transfers and freshmen came in, and Smith and nine of his full-time assistants are in their first year on Michigan State's staff (the only holdover from the Tucker regime is wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins). So, a complete change in culture is probably going to take some time, but the foundation is set and everybody in the program appears to be buying in.
Smith isn't much into catchphrases, but the one thing you will hear him say -- and something the players have truly seemed to believe in -- is "low ego, high output." And, if you've ever met Smith in person or heard him speak, it's easy to tell he is the epitome of that. He is a very down-to-earth, authentic guy, who knows the game very well. But those around him will also talk about how competitive he is, and because of his desire to chase championships and the resources available at Michigan State, that's why he made the decision to leave his alma mater and come to East Lansing.
All throughout fall camp, it was apparent that the players had a renewed sense of energy. They are happy to be there. They believe in each other. They believe in the future of the program under Smith and the staff. They are continually learning and want to put in the work. There have been some comments made from players that revealed it was not like last year, which makes sense given the situation with Tucker being fired and Harlon Barnett thrusted into interim duties (for what it's worth, Barnett did a good job of keeping the team together last season the best he could, in my opinion).
The assistant coaches have talked about how much of a family atmosphere it is within the building because Smith fosters that kind of environment. For example, it is quite common for the coaches and staff members to bring their families to work -- kids, spouses, etc. The players have talked about that as well, which proves to them "family" isn't just something Smith and his coaches say, but something they promote with their actions.
I expect Smith to build Michigan State the same way he built what was an awful Oregon State program when he first took over into a perennial winner. The staff believes in its ability to develop talent long term and its schemes. It may take some time to pay off -- and in the era of transfer portal and NIL it's much harder to keep a roster together and timelens are shorter -- but based on everything we've seen publicly, and what we've heard from behind the scenes, I think future success is likely.
As for what to expect playing style wise, Michigan State wants to establish the run first and foremost. Expect a lot of zone runs, but the Spartans will mix in some gap runs as well. MSU found more success on outside runs than inside runs in Week One. Sophomore Oregon State transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles struggled in his first career start, but took full responsibility for it. Chiles is still very young (he doesn't turn 19 until Sept. 12), but expect him to be more calculated in his throws and decision-making this time around. He showed he isn't afraid to throw downfield, and while it wasn't successful versus FAU, MSU and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Brian Lindgren will still take deep shots if the opportunity is there. While there will likely be plenty of 11 personnel with three receivers, you'll likely see Michigan State also utilize multiple-tight end looks throughout the game. An empty backfield look may be used sparsely as well.
Defensively, Michigan State will rotate many players along the defensive line and within the linebackers group. Last week, MSU lost safety/nickel back Dillon Tatum likely for the season, and fellow safety Khalil Majeed also is out for a significant amount of time, so expect rotations in the secondary as well. Still, I expect a lot of nickel/4-2-5 packages against the Terrapins. A new element of Michigan State's defense this year that defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Rossi brought with him from Minnesota is a standup rush end position that rushes the passer or drops into coverage when needed. Khris Bogle and Anthony Jones both had strong performances from the rush end spot against the Eagles.
Who are some playmakers on offense for the Spartans that Terp fans should know about?
Outside of Chiles, Michigan State's two-person rotation at running back in Nate Carter and UMass transfer Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams will be heavily involved. Carter struggled in Week One, but didn't receive a lot of help from his offensive line. However, Lynch-Adams made his prescence felt in his first game as a Spartan, rushing for 101 yards on just nine carries (11.2 yards per carry), including a 63-yard touchdown run. He looked like MSU's best offensive player last week.
At tight end, Jack Velling, another Oregon State transfer, is somebody who was expected to be heavily involved in Week One, but FAU did a good job of taking him away (one catch for 15 yards). I expect him to get more looks this week. Fellow tight end Michael Masunas was able to step up and led the team in receiving yards last week, albeit only with 29. He's earned more opportunities as well.
As mentioned, the passing game struggled to get going last week and none of the wide receivers had strong games. Montorie Foster Jr. is the Spartans' No. 1 wideout and will look to bounce back from a dismal performance against FAU in which he had just three catches for 23 yards on eight targets. He also bobbled the ball on the first play of the game, which ended up being intercepted by Florida Atlantic (although the throw from Chiels was not great) and he later fumbled. With an injury to wide receiver Alante Brown, the other wide receivers to watch are Jaron Glover, Aziah Johnson, Jaelen Smith, Antonio Gates Jr. and four-star true freshman Nick Marsh.
What can Maryland fans expect from the Spartans on defense? Who are some playmakers on that side of the ball Terp fans should know about?
I mentioned Bogle and Jones at the rush end positions, and I would keep a close eye on those two. After wreaking havoc on FAU last week, Bogle should start again, but Jones should get a good amount of reps as well. At the more traditional defensive end position, look for Jalen Thompson, Ken Talley and Quindarius Dunnigan to rotate in with each other. Talley made some impressive plays last week.
In the interior of the defensive line, Michigan State is going to rotate through a lot of bodies. Last week, Alex VanSumeren and D'Quan Douse got the start. Douse also recorded the first points of the 2024 season for the Spartans by getting a safety. Regardless of who starts this week, expect those two to be heavily involved, along with Maverick Hansen, Jalen Satchell, Ben Roberts and Ru'Quan Buckley checking in as well.
Linebacker is another spot you'll see a lot of players rotating in. Veterans Cal Haladay and Jordan Turner drew the start last week, and likely will again this week. But Jordan Hall and Wayne Matthews III will also be heavily involved. Darius Snow may see a handful of snaps.
I mentioned there are some injuries in the secondary, but I would expect a similar starting five from last game (if Michigan State lines up in nickel/4-2-5 to begin the game) of Charles Brantley and Chance Rucker or Ed Woods at the cornerback spots (Rucker got the start last week, but Woods played significantly more snaps), and Nikai Martinez (who had an excellent game last week with an interception and six tackles) and Malik Spencer (who was ejected in the first half last week for targeting) at safeties and Angelo Grose (who had 11 tackles and a pick last week) at nickel back. Armorion Smith (who has dealt with tragedy off of the field after losing his mother) could potentially return this week and play safety as well. Other names to watch in the secondary who could possibly see playing time are Jeremiah Hughes (though he didn't dress last week), Lejond Cavazos, Aveon Grose and freshman Justin Denson Jr. Not all of those guys will play, but MSU will need to do some reshuffling with its defensive backs.
As I mentioned, a lot of players will rotate in defensively.
Finish this sentence. Michigan State wins the game if….
It doesn't turn the ball over more than once, the offense improves significantly and moves the ball consistently, and the defense continues its upward trajectory and contains the impacts of Billy Edwards Jr., Tai Felton and Roman Hemby.
Scorer prediction and why?
Maryland 24, Michigan State 21
I quite honestly still don't know what to expect out of this game. Maryland destroyed an abysmal UConn team 50-7, but I am not sure what to take away from that, other than the Terps did what they were supposed to do. On the other hand, Michigan State fell short of expectations against a gutsy Florida Atlantic team, but got an ugly win. I do think this week's contest will be close throughout and Michigan State's defense keeps the Spartans in it, while the offense shows improvement. However, I don't feel like it will be enough improvement on the offense, and I could see the defense having a breakdown or two against a much better offense than what it saw last week. I think Maryland, playing at home, does just enough to get by MSU in a closely-contested game.
