The 2025 Michigan State football season is right around the corner and that means that we're about to find out just what direction the program is headed in under Jonathan Smith.
The second-year head coach had a forgettable first season with some ups and plenty of downs, finishing 5-7. It was especially disappointing considering Michigan State had a 4-3 record and all the momentum in the world after an Iowa win at home in October before sputtering to a 1-4 finish.
Now, it's put up or shut up time for Smith and Co. as they head into a 2025 season that will tell us if he's the right man for the job or just a bridge to the next coach.
To prove himself, he has to win the games he's supposed to, especially in conference play.
These are the three Big Ten games that I consider the most winnable for Smith and the Spartans.
1. UCLA (Oct. 11)
Believe it or not, UCLA is the easiest conference opponent on the schedule which is wild considering the Bruins just added Nico Iamaleava this offseason. The Spartans will have to take on one of the most coveted transfer quarterbacks in the country, but he's still learning the new system.
UCLA was not good at all under first-year head coach DeShaun Foster and I don't see the Bruins being a whole lot better in 2025, although they could flirt with a bowl berth.
2. Maryland (Nov. 29)
Michigan State had Maryland's number last season which was nice after losing to the Terrapins in the two years prior. It was Aidan Chiles' best game as a Spartan at that point and he looked like a future star, throwing to Nick Marsh early and often -- the game-tying touchdown with under five to go was huge.
The Terrapins are always solid early in the season before fizzling out late and I expect the exact same in 2025 but I really believe that Mike Locksley will be coaching his last game against MSU.
3. at Minnesota (Nov. 1)
This just goes to show how difficult Michigan State's schedule in conference play really is. If the Spartans sweep non-conference play like I expect, they'll need to win three conference games to make a bowl game and it might just come down to beating Minnesota on the road.
This has never been an easy task, but the Gophers are the most winnable road game that I see on the schedule that also includes trips to USC, Nebraska, Indiana, and Iowa.
PJ Fleck vs. Jonathan Smith is a battle of completely opposite personalities but we'll see if the quiet head coach with something to prove can get it done in Minneapolis.