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Michigan State football: Power ranking head coaching candidates after Week 5

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman meet just before the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman meet just before the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Jonathan Smith looks onto the field during the first half against the Utah Utes at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Jonathan Smith looks onto the field during the first half against the Utah Utes at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

A hot name being thrown around right now is Jonathan Smith and I have him moving up after beating Utah in a Friday night Pac-12 showdown this past weekend.

The Oregon State head coach has built a dormant program back up, going 2-10 in his first season back in 2018 and the Beavers won 10 games in 2022. He’s made two straight bowl games and I’ll admit, I’m shocked that he wasn’t on the hot seat after the 2020 season when he was 9-22 to start his Beavers coaching career.

But the former Oregon State quarterback turned things around quickly, going 7-6 in 2021 and making his first bowl game and then he went 10-2 in 2022, winning his first bowl.

Now, to start 2023, Oregon State is one of the legit contenders in the Pac-12 with a 4-1 record and a lone loss to a really good Washington State team. He also just beat the two-time Pac-12 champs last week to get some early bragging rights in conference play.

After starting 9-22 at Oregon State, Smith is likely to have an overall win percentage over .500 after this season. That’s an incredible turnaround.

Michigan State would have more talent to work with right away, so a quick turnaround would be likely under Smith.

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