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Michigan State football: 3 things Jonathan Smith should know about the program

By Scott Tolonen

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio reacts after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio reacts after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The expectations are coach-friendly

No rational Spartan fan is expecting to compete for a Big Ten title next year. It’s a new staff which means there will be a lot of roster turnover, just like any other school who is getting a new coach. The fact that less than a dozen players have entered the portal is a win for the program and if we’re being honest, the only real disappointment is both young quarterbacks leaving.

Would I have preferred just one to stay for stability? Sure, but let’s not act like this is equivalent to Caleb Williams leaving Oklahoma or Joe Burrow leaving Ohio State. Both were put in horrible positions to succeed but both also left a lot to be desired. If Smith is the coach we all think he is, he’ll find a tremendous athlete in the portal or bring a particular one from his former employer.

But there are enough winnable games to get to a late season bowl and throw in an upset per season to start. If Mel Tucker can go 2-1 against Michigan, you should have no issue beating them every other year.

The bar for Ohio State is to just cover the spread for now, something the previous regime couldn’t even do by halftime. Smith has already shown he can hang with Washington and USC and getting to play them every few years in East Lansing should result in big wins over the former Pac-12 powerhouses. Also, with Michigan graduating a lot of talent this year and Ryan Day’s eventual mental breakdown at the hands of Michigan should result in both programs taking a step back making room at the top for a new team.

There’s no reason it can’t be the Michigan State Spartans.

Next. Jonathan Smith's staff is coming together nicely. dark

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