Once Labor Day weekend comes around and the first game under the lights kicks off, Michigan State football fans begin a journey full of peaks and valleys until Christmas.
The Michigan State football team is an underrated one this fall. Many experts don’t see the hype, but this could be a sneaky team that can cause some problems in the Big Ten.
This is a spot the Spartans love to be in, and I’m sure Jonathan Smith would agree. He has never been known for his flashiness. Instead, it’s more of a lunchpail and get to work blue-collar vibe.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the three things Spartans fans should be wishing for during the first month of the season.
3. Better DL play
Last year, Michigan State’s defensive line struggled mightily. Getting a sack seemed impossible. The run defense was solid, but the inability to really cause havoc in the passing game was something that held the Spartans back.
Going up against Western Michigan, Boston College, Youngstown State, and USC should allow the defensive line to get some quality in-game reps and cause some destruction.
It’s unfair to assume that Michigan State’s defensive line turns into a havoc, wrecking machine during just one offseason, but they need to be able to show a pulse against two non-Power Four opponents and two solid Power Four teams in Boston College and USC.
2. Aidan Chiles improvement
Spartan fans are no strangers to the fact that Aidan Chiles had a rocky year one in East Lansing. That being said, there is plenty of optimism about a breakout season this fall for the junior signal-caller.
Spartan fans will feel much better about this team and Smith if Chiles makes a splash early in the year, making points show up on the board effortlessly.
For Chiles to improve, it's not all on him. The big men upfront need to be assignment sound and the tailbacks need to produce a consistent running attack.
If the offensive line is improved, Chiles should have no problem taking a big step from his sophomore season. The other big thing is that now Chiles has some quality weapons around him.
Nick Marsh, Omari Kelly, Chrishon McCray, Rod Bullard, Evan Boyd, Braylon Collier, and Jack Velling are a fantastic group of weapons to be throwing to.
Chiles needs to be smarter with the football, and the rest should take care of itself.
1. Have a 3-1 record
Michigan State starting the first month of the season 3-1 would create a major buzz around the Spartan fanbase. The non-conference schedule is quite friendly. All three games are going to be played at Spartan Stadium. They will have to take a trip to Southern California to open up Big Ten play USC, but this could be a great opportunity to see where Michigan State stacks up against a team projected to be in the top half of the Big Ten.
Assuming the Spartans beat Western Michigan and Youngstown State all they would have to do to complete this is split versus Boston College at home and on the road against USC.
None of these four games is a gimme; the Spartans still have to clock in and go to work. That being said, I don’t think this is an unfair ask. This is a reasonable goal that will keep the Spartans competitive for a bowl game.