Week 9 – Michigan State – The Daily Hoosier

With college football season just around the corner, we take a look at Indiana’s schedule and all 12 opponents for 2024.

IU faces Michigan State in its second-to-last road game of the season. The Spartans reclaimed the Old Brass Spittoon in Bloomington last year, but endured another disappointing season amid the midseason firing of Mel Tucker. MSU hired Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith this year, and his team will look much different than last year.

• Opponent: State of Michigan
• Date/Time/TV: Saturday, November 2nd, TBA
• Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan.
• Record/postseason result 2023: 4-8, 2-7 Big Ten

Return of production, criminal offense: 46 percent (according to Bill Connelly/ESPN) (109th in the country)

Offensive outlook: Much of the Spartans’ roster reshuffle has been on offense. That’s perhaps for the best, as Michigan State’s offense was one of the worst in the country last season. Smith’s Beavers fared better, finishing 46th in the country with 409.2 yards per game. Smith took most of his offensive assistants from Corvallis to East Lansing, including offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Brian Lindgren.

Smith also brought in sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles from OSU, and Chiles will most likely start for MSU this year. Chiles saw limited playing time last season behind DJ Uiagalelei at Oregon State, but still showed potential as both a passer and runner.

MSU’s receiver corps could be thin, though. The Spartans were active in the transfer portal but didn’t add any wide receivers this offseason. Last season’s best receiver, redshirt senior Montorie Foster Jr. (43 receptions, 576 yards, three touchdowns), is back. But MSU lost its second-best receiver, tight end Maliq Carr, to the transfer portal; Carr had a great game against IU last year. Junior transfer Jack Velling (29 catches, 438 yards, eight touchdowns) from Oregon State was named to the All-Pac-12 second team last year and could be a key player for MSU this year.

Although Oregon State’s offense ranked middle of the pack both nationally and in the Pac-12 last season, Damien Martinez was one of the best running backs in the country in the Beavers’ run-first system. Martinez went to Miami, but the Spartans have redshirt junior Nate Carter back after a solid 2023 (185 carries, 798 yards, four touchdowns). UMass transfer Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams (236 carries, 1,157 yards, 12 touchdowns) could also factor into the backfield picture.

Michigan State’s offensive line needs to improve for the offense to get rolling this season. Only one starter from last season’s group returns: redshirt senior left tackle Brandon Baldwin. But Oregon State’s offensive line was much better last season — the Beavers boasted the second-best PFF run-blocking grade in the country. Redshirt senior center Tanner Miller followed the team to MSU and will look to solidify the line.

Resumption of production, defense: 75 percent (according to Bill Connelly/ESPN) (19th in the country)

Defensive outlook: Smith kept his defensive line coach and secondary coach, but will work with some new defensive assistants elsewhere — including former IU defensive coordinator Chad Wilt, who will be MSU’s rush ends coach and co-special teams coordinator. Minnesota defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Joe Rossi took the same position in East Lansing this year and will lead MSU’s defense. The Gophers have typically had a strong defense under Rossi, finishing in the top 10 in the country in total defense in three of his five years as defensive coordinator.

The Spartans have a strong defensive effort, although they weren’t spectacular last season. Much of that comes from the secondary, where five of last season’s six primary starters are back. But MSU had one of the worst PFF grades in the country in coverage last season, so the group needs to improve. Junior safety Malik Spencer is a player to keep an eye on after finishing second at MSU in tackles last season.

Redshirt junior linebacker Wayne Matthews III could be a big addition from Old Dominion. Last season, he forced three fumbles, the most on the team, and finished second on the team in tackles (135 total), tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (3.5). Sophomore linebacker Jordan Hall could have a great season ahead of him – he finished last season with the best PFF pass-rush grade among 2027 draft linebackers, recording 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. MSU’s top tackler last season, redshirt senior Cal Haladay, also returns at linebacker.

Michigan State has more question marks on defense, with only one starter returning on the defensive line. Redshirt senior Quindarius Dunnigan could have a role there this year after leading Middle Tennessee State with 10 tackles for loss last season. Redshirt senior defensive tackle D’Quan Douse transferred with experience from Georgia Tech and could play a key role at center. IU transfer Anthony Jones may not have a big role in a crowded defensive line group, with seven portal pickups in the room.

Outlook on special teams: Redshirt senior kicker Jonathan Kim returns after making 13 of 18 field goal attempts last season. He converted all 17 of his extra points. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Eckley is also back after a strong year – he averaged 46.8 yards per punt last season, good for second in the Big Ten. Eckley was MSU’s only All-Big Ten selection last year. Michigan State will have a new long snapper, however: Kaden Schickel, a transfer from James Madison. Returner Tyrell Henry transferred to Wisconsin, so Foster or redshirt senior receiver Alante Brown could be considered for these tasks this season.

Overall outlook: It took Smith three years to turn around Oregon State, but he got the Beavers going in his last three seasons. He faces a similar rebuilding task in East Lansing, having suffered three losing seasons in his last four seasons at Michigan State. The Spartans’ roster looks better than it did last season, and with their schedule, they may have a viable path to bowl eligibility. But they can’t afford many speed bumps, and the floor is lower than the ceiling. This could be a potential turning point for Indiana’s season — a win in East Lansing could be the difference between making a bowl game and missing out.

Previous opponent prospects:

Florida International

Western Illinois

University of California

Charlotte

Maryland

Northwest

Nebraska

Washington

Complete coverage of IU football can be found HERE.

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