Michigan

REPORT: Where Does Michigan State Football’s Schedule Rank?

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2024

REPORT: Where Does Michigan State Football’s Schedule Rank?

The 2024 season is supposed to be a year of implementation for Michigan State football.

It is the first season for Coach Jonathan Smith and his hand-picked staff. They are installing a completely new offense that prioritizes a balance of vertical passing and explosive runs. Think San Fransisco 49ers under Kyle Shanahan.

Defensively, Spartans defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is installing his hybrid 4-3/3-4 defense (depending on how you look at it) that utilizes a stand-up rush end and a whole lot of commotion in the front seven to disorient opposing offenses.

A rebuilding year, a recovery year, a debut season. Call it whatever you want. That’s not to say there isn’t plenty to be excited for. Aidan Chiles, transfer quarterback who might be the biggest storyline of the offseason outside of his head coach, looks all of the part to be the guy in East Lansing for years to come. He is young — but the intangibles, athleticism, and arm all seem to be there.

Tight end Jack Velling is considered to be among the conference’s best. True freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh looks like he can make an impact far beyond his class standing. The linebacking room might be one of the best in the Big Ten.

The Spartans will be grounded by a first-year staff and one of the toughest schedules in the country. The 19th toughest, in fact. ESPN released a list of the Top 25 hardest schedules in college football, per the Football Power Index, back in June. Recently, ESPN named the Spartans again as a team facing a tough schedule this season.

“In the new-look Big Ten, Michigan State is the only school that will play No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Oregon and No. 10 Michigan,” ESPN wrote. “The Ohio State and Oregon games are in back-to-back weeks, Sept. 28 and Oct. 4, which is a Friday, making it a short week for the Spartans. Both the Oregon and Michigan (Oct. 26) games are on the road.”

The schedule is a result of a retooled conference looking to compete with the SEC. This Spartans team, with the overlooked talent and an excellent coaching staff, could definitely jump some teams.

Rivalry games, such as one with Michigan, always have the potential to be closer than they should be. Oregon is good. They might even win the conference. But Smith knows how to play the Ducks. The Spartans certainly won’t lie down. The Buckeyes are likely the best of them all. The only advantage the Spartans will have in that matchup is Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans are an unenviable position — a debut season for a new coaching staff and a gauntlet of a schedule. But isn’t resiliency a Spartans hallmark? Along with sneaky good seasons (see 2017 and 2021)?

Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan Nation WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

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Michigan

Michigan Recruiting Intel: Quarterback updates, notes on top targets

Published

5 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Press Room

Michigan Recruiting Intel: Quarterback updates, notes on top targets

The Wolverine Football Recruiting

Ethan McDowell@ethanmmcdowell

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Jayden Wade 3 copy 1 — Jayden Wade (Photo by Chad Simmons)

Michigan is recruiting a talented group of quarterbacks for the 2028 cycle. Here’s a look at the Wolverines’ top targets.

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Michigan

Michigan president has strong words for college sports after Dusty May exit

Published

16 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Press Room

Michigan president has strong words for college sports after Dusty May exit

At the University of Michigan’s board of regents meeting on Thursday, June 25, interim president Domenico Grasso addressed the departure of former Michigan basketball coach Dusty May, calling the move a “bellwether” for college athletics.

May, who had reportedly agreed in principle to a contract extension with the Wolverines but had yet to sign it, left the program on Monday, June 22. One day later, he was in Brooklyn for the NBA Draft where his Dallas Mavericks selected his former player, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr., with the No. 9 overall pick.

“Our current system is in dire need of clarity and equitable reform,” Grasso said at the regents meeting. “Coach May told me that among his reasons for leaving were uncertainties and pressures involving the transfer portal and NIL support for student-athletes.

“He and I agree that the future of college sports is headed in the wrong direction.”

While Grasso did say the new “Protect College Sports Act” could provide “greater stability, clearer national standards and more consistent rules” to college athletics, he also said it has “deeply concerning provisions.”

“Rather than looking to conferences such as the Big Ten as models of athletic and academic excellence, it imposes restrictions that disproportionately affect the institution,” he said. “Among the most troubling provisions are targeted limits on conference expansion and realignment, as well as harmful restrictions on student athletes’ ability to benefit from additional NIL opportunities. These measures will reduce universities and conferences’ flexibility to adapt to changing conditions for student innovative opportunities.

“We want what’s best for the Big Ten and for Michigan. We are not going to sacrifice competitive advantage that we built for more than a century. We stand ready to work with legislators on a bill that will establish a system in which every university can compete and thrive for generations to come.”

May spent just two years in Ann Arbor but made a lasting mark on the program. He went 64-13 during his time, won the 2024-25 Big Ten Tournament championship, the 2025-26 Big Ten championship and finished his time in Ann Arbor defeating UConn, 69-63, to win the national championship on Monday, April 6.

“When my family and I came to Ann Arbor two years ago, we hoped we could help bring Michigan basketball back to where it belongs,” May said in a goodbye statement to U-M. “This wasn’t an easy decision. An opportunity came along that was right for my family and something I felt I needed to pursue, but that doesn’t change how much these last two years have meant to us.

“Thank you for trusting us, believing in us and making these last two years so much fun. It was an honor to coach at Michigan and wear the Block M.”

On Tuesday, June 23, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel officially announced assistant basketball coach Mike Boynton Jr. would be appointed as interim head coach.

That set a clock for the transfer portal to open for U-M players on Friday, July 24, 31 days after Boynton’s appointment as interim.

Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

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