There aren’t many members of the national media talking about Saturday night’s Michigan State vs Maryland game, and that’s probably about right.
The Spartans are 3-8 on the season and haven’t won a single Big Ten game yet while Maryland is just 4-7 with one conference victory. Mike Locksley has been assured another season with the Terrapins, while Jonathan Smith is still awaiting his fate. Fans have been vocal about wanting him out but J Batt has been quiet about his impending decision.
It feels like no one knows what’s going to happen after Saturday’s game, win or lose, and that’s kind of a stressful place to be if you’re a fan because the future seems so uncertain.
The state of the Michigan State football program is not a favorable one, and even with a win over Maryland, the outlook doesn’t exactly improve next season, especially if Smith returns. One thing is for certain, however: the players seem to want Smith back — at least Alessio Milivojevic and Jordan Hall said as much after the Iowa loss last week.
Eyes will be on Ford Field on Saturday night as the Spartans prepare to escape a winless Big Ten season but the anticipation for this one has fizzled away as the season progressed.
Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Michigan State vs Maryland game:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 29
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Detroit, Mich.
Venue: Ford Field
TV: FS1
Live stream: FOX Sports Live or FuboTV
I have a weird feeling that Ford Field will be semi-empty on Saturday night as the Spartans take on Maryland, unlike the game against Penn State a couple of years ago after Mel Tucker was fired and right after Smith was hired as his replacement. Harlon Barnett and Katin Houser led the Spartans in that one, but it was an ugly blowout loss.
This year’s contest should be much more entertaining, but there’s still a feel of uncertainty surrounding the program like there was two years ago.
If you want to potentially see the first Michigan State win in over two months, you’ll want to tune in on Saturday night. The Spartans may end the drought and avoid 3-9 for the second time in a decade.