The Michigan State Spartans aim to end a three-year bowl drought and improve on last season’s 5-7 record under head coach Jonathan Smith when they kick off the season under the lights on Friday night.
Smith, who retained more than 70 players during the offseason despite a rough 2024, will rely on their wide receivers (led by Nick Marsh) and linebackers (led by Jordan Hall and Darius Snow), but need to improve their running game and pass rush from a year ago.
Their first test is against Western Michigan. The Broncos have already confirmed they will be using. two QBs in this one: Broc Lowry and Brady Jones. Lowry, who started his career at Indiana, appeared in 11 games for the Broncos last season, posting 133 yard rushing yards and 3 touchdowns while also going 4-8 on passing for 21 yards.
The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FS1. Fans looking to watch this college football game can do so for free by using DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial, or FuboTV, which also offers a free trial as well as up to $25 off your first month. Paramount+ also offers a free trial. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but has promotional offers available for streaming the game.
Who: Michigan State Spartans vs Western Michigan Broncos
When: 7 p.m. ET, Friday, Aug. 29
Where: Spartan Stadium
Stream: DirecTV (free trial); FuboTV (free trial); Paramount+ (free trial);SlingTV;ESPN+; Peacock; Max
Betting: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
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Michigan State’s football program is desperately seeking a successful season. Aidan Chiles seems to give the Spartans a shot.
The dual-threat quarterback is back after an uneven season as the starter and said he likes what he sees from his teammates.
“A lot of good energy,” he said. “It’s a different environment for sure. New guys that fit the program and fit the culture.”
Michigan State was 5-7 last year in coach Jonathan Smith’s debut season leading a program with only one winning record in a seven-season stretch. Smith, a former Oregon State coach, appeared to have a relatively successful offseason by retaining 70-plus players who decided to stay instead of transferring.
“Everyone chooses what roster they’re on,” he said. “For them to choose us, it’s a real thing because they got options to go to other places.”
Smith’s seat
Smith is not on the hot seat with decision-makers at Michigan State, but he’s working for an athletic director who did not hire him. When the school pulled athletic director J Batt away from Georgia Tech, he acknowledged his top priority is to support the football program.
Batt previously hired Brent Key to lead the Yellow Jackets and he helped them have consecutive winning seasons for the first time in a decade.
Former Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller, who hired Smith, lost his job last May.
Team strengths
Nick Marsh had 41 receptions for 649 yards last year, both records for a Michigan State freshman, and the team landed two receivers in the transfer portal talented enough to be on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award.
Omari Kelly, who played at Middle Tennessee State and Auburn, former Kent State standout Chrishon McCray and Marsh make wide receiver the team’s strongest position group.
The Spartans should also be solid at linebacker with Jordan Hall and Darius Snow leading the way in the middle of the defense.
Question marks
The Spartans will improve their chances of surpassing modest expectations if they establish a running game, rush the passer much better than last year and find a reliable kicker.
Michigan State averaged just 1.58 sacks last season, ranking No. 103 in major college football.
“We felt like that was somewhere we needed to pick it up,” said edge rusher Jalen Thompson, who didn’t have a sack in 12 games last year. “As a defense, we have been holding on to that and focusing on how we can get better.”
Call it a comeback
Michigan State defensive back Armorion Smith is expected to get a chance to play a key role in the secondary. Smith’s mother died a little more than a year ago, leaving him as the head of household for five younger siblings and he became the legal guarding for four siblings last September.
The schedule
The Spartans open the season with a Friday night game Aug. 29 at home against Western Michigan. The toughest stretch is playing rival and 14th-ranked Michigan at home Oct. 25, a week after traveling to play No. 20 Indiana.
Michigan State, though, gets a break by not having No. 3 Ohio State, No. 7 Oregon and No. 12 Illinois on the schedule. The Spartans close the regular season inside Ford Field in Detroit against Maryland on Nov. 29, when their students are on Thanksgiving break.
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FuboTV is an internet television service that offers more than 200 channels across sports and entertainment including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. From the UEFA Champions League to the WNBA to international tournaments ranging across sports, there’s plenty of options available on FuboTV, which offers a free trial and up to $25 off the first month for new customers.
What is Sling TV?
Sling TV offers a variety of live programming ranging from news and sports and starting as low as $20 a month for your first month. Subscribers also get a month of DVR Plus free if they sign up now. Choose from a variety of sports packages without long-term contracts and with easy cancellation.
What is ESPN+?
ESPN+ is a one-stop shop for content from almost every single sport. In addition to on-demand replays of games across all sports shown on the ESPN and Disney family of networks, there is also exclusive access to select college football games, NHL games, soccer matches, UFC programs and the entire 30 for 30 catalogue. Additionally, there is ESPN+ exclusive original programming like NFL Primetime, Dana White’s Contender Series and The Breakdown with Peyton and Belichick. You can stream ESPN+ on your phone, tablet, smart TV or gaming console for $11.99/month or bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for just $16.99 per month.
What is Peacock?
Peacock offers a variety of sports, including: NFL, MLB, NCAA (football and basketball), Premier League, WWE, NASCAR, PGA Tour, and more. The dedicated “Sports” section within Peacock provides replays, news and analysis. Sports airing on NBC, NBC Sports, USA Network, NBC Universo and Telemundo will be available to you if you have the right Peacock plan. Peacock Premium costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Peacock Premium Plus costs $13.99 per month, and includes all the same content as Peacock Premium, but without ads. Premium Plus subscribers can also download and watch select titles on the go, and stream their local NBC affiliate.
What is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is a streaming platform with hundreds of thousands of tv episodes and movies available along with the ability to access even more content through Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. Watch the NFL on CBS and the UEFA Champions League through the basic service, or upgrade for additional sporting events such as NWSL games and The Masters.
What is Max?
Max is a streaming service that combines the catalogues of HBO and the various channels that make up the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks like CNN, Discovery Channel and TLC. The service is also partnered with Bleacher Report to provide sports coverage for anything covered by Turner Sports such as the NBA on TNT, the NHL on TNT, college basketball games on TNT and TBS and the Unrivaled 3×3 basketball league. You can also bundle your MAX subscription with Disney+ and Hulu for $16.99 a month.
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