Year two of the Jonathan Smith era officially begins on Friday night as Michigan State football hosts Western Michigan in the first game of the 2025 season.
Western isn't expected to contend in the MAC this season, but could still surprise some people if it can land on a quarterback. The Broncos plan on playing two quarterbacks on Friday night against the Spartans. Michigan State, on the other hand, knows who its QB1 is, and the offense isn't expected to be an issue. The defense? There are a lot of uncertainties there.
It feels like Christmas Day. The leaves are starting to change colors, the smell of barbecue is in the air, and there's a crispness in the air that screams fall.
Let's celebrate 2025's kickoff with three bold predictions for Michigan State vs. WMU.
1. Aidan Chiles has 4 total TDs and no turnovers
Last year's opener didn't go quite as Aidan Chiles had planned, as he completed just 10-of-24 passes for 114 yards and two interceptions. He did add a rushing score, but one touchdown to two turnovers was not an ideal stat line for the first-year starting quarterback.
That changes in this year's opener against an opponent that's on the same level as FAU was last year. He's going to score four total touchdowns while not coughing the ball up once.
Chiles will finish with over 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, and four scores.
2. The Spartans have a 100-yard rusher
Western Michigan had one of the worst run defenses in the nation a year ago, allowing 192.5 yards per game on the ground, which ranked 113th in the country. That area may improve this season, but it likely won't be drastic, as the Spartans take advantage of a weakness and rush for over 200 yards as a team.
Included in those 200-plus rushing yards as a team will be the team's first 100-yard performance of the season. Will it be Brandon Tullis, Makhi Frazier, Aidan Chiles, or Elijah Tau-Tolliver?
I'm going with Frazier. He'll break off a big touchdown run and finish with 113 yards on 15 carries.
3. Blake Sislo is perfect
Down to its third option at kicker, Michigan State must rely on the unproven Blake Sislo on Friday night, assuming Tarik Ahmetbasic is out (he's a game-time decision).
Sislo hasn't attempted a single kick at the FBS level, but he received some praise from Smith this week who said that he put up similar numbers in camp to those of Jonathan Kim last offseason. I think Sislo gets a couple of field goal opportunities from 30 and 40 yards out, and he converts both while hitting all of his extra points.
This may not seem bold, but a third-string kicker going 2-for-2 on field goals is a massive (and unexpected) win, in my book.