Michigan State gets a second straight home game in Week 2, and this one brings a little extra spice with it. Eastern Michigan comes to East Lansing with former Spartan quarterback Noah Kim under center, setting up a matchup that gives the Eagles a familiar face and Michigan State a chance to clean up some early-season issues.
That clean-up job starts with the red zone. The Spartans opened the year with a dramatic 30-20 win over Toledo, but the path there was messier than the final score suggests.
Michigan State punched in a touchdown on its first drive, then spent a stretch settling for field goals after stalling near the goal line. Four straight field goals followed before the offense finally found the end zone again late in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Even with those hiccups, there were plenty of encouraging signs. Michigan State’s defense was solid for most of the night, but two huge Toledo plays - touchdowns of 60 and 71 yards - kept the Rockets in the fight. Against Eastern Michigan, the Spartans will need to erase those kinds of breakdowns.
On the other side, Kim brings his own storyline back to the program where his college career started. He spent two seasons at Michigan State, appearing in 10 games and throwing for nine touchdowns and six interceptions. After transferring to Coastal Carolina, where he played in seven games, he joined Eastern Michigan and turned in a much bigger role last season, throwing for 2,817 yards and 18 touchdowns while playing in all 12 games.
The Eagles also arrive with a 27-21 loss in hand, looking to get their season moving in the right direction. And while the revenge angle is real with Kim back in East Lansing, Michigan State still looks like the more complete team.
The Spartans didn’t show too many wrinkles in Week 1, which may have been by design. That approach could continue here, especially with Michigan State still settling in early in the season. But the edge in the trenches on both sides of the ball points toward the home team controlling this one.
My predictions: Michigan State -17.5 (-105) and Under 49.5.
I expect the Spartans to win with a little more comfort than they had against Toledo, while keeping the total from getting too loose.
In Other News...
Eli Coenen Gives Michigan State A Reason To Feel Better Up Front
Michigan State got a useful glimpse of what Eli Coenen can bring to the middle of its defense in the win over Toledo. The transfer defensive tackle from Illinois was active throughout the game, finishing with three tackles and a sack while helping the Spartans hold up better inside against the run, aside from one long touchdown burst that skewed the numbers.
For a front that has been looking for steadiness and more physical play in the trenches, Coenens debut-style impact stood out. Michigan State does not need him to be flashy, but it does need him to keep the interior honest, occupy blockers and play with enough discipline to prevent the kind of breakdowns that turn one mistake into a drive-changing run. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Found A New Edge Fans Noticed Against Toledo
Special teams carried a big part of Michigan States opening-day edge against Toledo, and a transfer kicker was right at the center of it. Liam Boyd delivered a debut that immediately stood out, drilling field goals throughout the afternoon and giving the Spartans steady points in a game that could have tilted if they had come away empty on a few of those drives. Along the way, Boyd also put his name in the school record book for field goals in a debut, adding a layer of importance to a performance that already had the feel of a reliable first impression.
Michigan State did not treat those scoring chances conservatively, either, and that approach showed up in the way the staff managed its kicking opportunities. The Spartans mixed in other special teams contributors and kept leaning into an aggressive style that fit the moment, even when one long attempt did not go cleanly. For a team looking for every edge it can find, the takeaway was clear enough: there is value in chasing points, and the Spartans appear willing to keep doing it. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Savoury Just Gave Michigan State A Needed New Weapon
The early returns on Jayden Savoury are giving Michigan State something it badly needed in the passing game. The redshirt sophomore tight end has looked like a much more complete option than he had in his limited work before, and his season-opening performance offered the clearest sign yet that the Spartans may have found a reliable piece for quarterback Alessio Milivojevic.
Savoury had been building momentum all offseason, with the coaching staff and media alike pointing to his progress, but the opener made it feel real. His ability to emerge as a key target changes the shape of the offense a bit, giving Milivojevic a trustworthy outlet in the middle of the field and adding a dimension Michigan State can lean on as the season develops. [Read more 🡒]