What to know about Michigan State heading into 2025
Here's a look at the Spartans as the 2025 season draws closer.
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2024 in review
Michigan State's Nathan Carter, center, and the team take the field before the football game against Purdue on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State struggled to take care of the ball last season and quarterback Aidan Chiles failed to live up to expectations after following Smith from Corvallis to East Lansing. The Spartans finished just 5-7 and failed to make a bowl game for the third consecutive season, leaving fans hungry for improvement. The offensive line struggled again, as it has for several years, but there's hope it'll take a step forward this fall. Nick Marsh was the team's leading receiver as a true freshman, and he'll have more help around him after some transfer additions. The signs are pointing toward a significantly improved offense in 2025 and a return to a bowl game.
Head coach profile
Michigan State's head coach Jonathan Smith looks on from the sideline during the third quarter in the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Smith was considered a big hire after the success he achieved with Oregon State, a program with fewer resources and worse facilities, but the move hasn't paid off yet. His six-year stint with the Beavers marked his first head coaching experience, and after going 2-10 in 2018, he led the team to steady improvement. Oregon State improved to 5-7 in 2019, took a slight step back during the COVID-19 season and then went 7-6 in 2021 with the team's first bowl appearance since 2013. The team peaked at 10-3 in 2022, followed by an 8-5 campaign before he left for Michigan State. His experience rebuilding a program from the basement of a conference should come in handy with the Spartans.
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Top offensive player
Nov 30, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) is upside-down after catching a first quarter pass against Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Al-Shadee Salaam (21) at Spartan Stadium. Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) is in pursuit. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
Marsh was a highly coveted 4-star recruit who earned praise for his elite track speed. The Spartans are rumored to have dropped a large NIL bag to land Marsh, and the investment paid off with 41 receptions, 649 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman. With an improved offensive line and more targets to take the pressure off, he should see elevated success this season, potentially eclipsing 1,000 yards.
Top defensive players
Michigan State's Nikai Martinez, right, tackles Rutgers' Ja'shon Benjamin during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State struggled defensively last season but one of the bright spots was safety Nikai Martinez, who transferred in from UCF and had a seamless transition to Big Ten play. Martinez amassed 51 tackles and two interceptions last season, including at least three tackles in every game. Entering his senior season, Martinez is viewed as one of the veteran leaders of the unit.
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2025 schedule
Aug. 29 (Fri.) vs. Western Michigan
Sept. 6 vs. Boston College
Sept. 13 vs. Youngstown State
Sept. 20 at USC
Oct. 4 at Nebraska
Oct. 11 vs. UCLA
Oct. 18 at Indiana
Oct. 25 vs. Michigan
Nov. 1 at Minnesota
Nov. 15 vs Penn State
Nov. 22 at Iowa
Nov. 29 vs. Maryland
The battle for the Land-Grant Trophy returns, with Michigan State hosting Penn State after the two took a gap year in 2024. The two have a surprisingly even history, with the Nittany Lions leading the Spartans 19-18-1 in the all-time series, including winning the last two. This year's matchup will pit an improved Michigan State offense against one of the top defenses in the country, although it's unlikely the Spartans' defense will be able to match up against Penn State's rushing attack when the two clash in mid-November.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: What to know about Michigan State
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