Michigan State Football: Way-too-early preview vs. Youngstown State

Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker knows what he wants and he chases it. He has a critical choice to make in regards to the quarterback situation. I’ve heard differing rumors from it’s Payton Thorne’s job to lose and transfer Anthony Russo has the arm talent that Tucker desires.

In my opinion, Russo strikes me as a player who may transfer if he doesn’t think he’ll win the starting job. He wants to get to the NFL; it’s the reason he came to MSU.

Russo had three different offenses to learn at Temple and still managed to put up decent numbers considering the talent around him. Thorne certainly has the edge at the moment. These next couple of weeks will be the tell if he can make up the ground to overtake Thorne. If Russo wins the job then Thorne will most likely stay. If Thorne wins, we will most likely see Russo transfer — that’s my opinion with no inside info.

Youngstown State is still under NCAA probation from the time of former coach Bo Pelini. The Penguins have a second-year coach in Doug Philips, a similar situation (except for the violations) to Michigan State football. He was the running backs coach for Cincinnati from 2018-2019. He also played under former coach Jim Tressel back in 1991-1992.

Michigan State is replacing many players as well as have many new faces on offense and defense because of the transfer portal. However, early news from camp is that the new linebackers Ben VanSumeren and Quavaris Crouch look the part. In fact, Darius Snow on the Locked on Spartans podcast with Matt Sheehan praised both VanSumeren and Crouch.

The battle for the linebacker spots is far from over, however, it could be a tip of the cap that these two could have a big role come fall.

MSU has more talent and Youngstown State is rebuilding. I could see if the Spartans stumble out of the gate that the Penguins could jump on them early. But I think Michigan State wins handily.

Prediction: Michigan State 38, Youngstown 10