Michigan State’s new season arrives Friday night, and the first test comes with plenty of intrigue. The Spartans open at Spartan Stadium against Toledo, a team many expect to be in the mix to win the MAC Conference, and this matchup offers the first real look at how quickly Michigan State’s revamped roster and coaching staff can start clicking.
After a long offseason full of projections and guesswork, the talking stops now. Week One is where the real answers begin. Every snap will tell a little more about what this version of the Spartans can be, especially with new offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan helping shape the attack and Alessio Milivojevic stepping into the spotlight.
One bold expectation: Milivojevic throws for two touchdowns. The quarterback should have chances to move the ball against Toledo, and the passing game may need him to help elevate a receiving group that looks shaky on paper. If he and Sheridan find the right rhythm, that kind of performance could be the ideal first impression in front of the Spartan Stadium crowd.
Another prediction centers on Cam Edwards, who could be a major factor on the ground. If Michigan State is going to put up the kind of offense that wins this opener comfortably, Edwards may need to punch in two rushing touchdowns. That would not only help the scoreboard, but also give the Spartans a physical identity they can lean on early in the year.
The defensive front could make just as loud a statement. Michigan State has the chance to get after Toledo’s quarterback, and a six-sack night is on the table if the pressure comes the way it’s expected to. Kenny Spoares Jr. and Anelu Lafaele are among the players who should be able to disrupt things in the backfield and show how dangerous this pass rush might be.
Week One may not always come with marquee matchups, but for Michigan State, Friday night is about much more than just the opponent. It’s the start of a new era, and the first chance to see whether all the offseason change can translate under the lights.
In Other News...
Joe Bachie Suddenly Faces A Tough New NFL Question
Joe Bachies latest NFL stop ended in surprising fashion when the Detroit Lions moved on from the former Michigan State linebacker during roster cuts, even after he put together a strong preseason and drew praise from head coach Dan Campbell. It was a tough turn for a player who has spent six years carving out a pro career and has become used to fighting for every chance he gets.
Bachies release also came as part of a rough cutdown day for other Spartans in the league, with the Atlanta Falcons parting ways with Nate Carter and Jack Velling. Bachie still figures to have a path back somewhere, whether on an active roster or a practice squad, but the immediate question is whether another team sees enough in his work to give him the next opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Just Got A Tough Reality Check On Cutdown Day
Cutdown day brought a blunt reminder of how unforgiving the NFL can be for undrafted rookies with Michigan State ties. As teams trimmed their rosters to 53 players, every Spartans hopeful who went into camp without draft status was released, leaving Omari Kelly, Wayne Matthews, Elijah Tau-Tolliver, Malik Spencer, Jack Velling and Quindarius Dunnigan looking for their next opportunity.
For a program that had several former players trying to carve out a place at the next level, it was a rough sweep of the board all at once. The good news for Michigan State is that not every rookie storyline ended there, with draft picks Matt Gulbin and Ryan Eckley expected to make their first NFL appearances this fall, giving the Spartans at least a couple of fresh pro footholds to follow once the season begins. [Read more 🡒]
Jordan Turner Just Gave Michigan State Fans A Reason To Feel Good
Former Michigan State linebacker Joe Bachie was among the players cut by the Detroit Lions during NFL roster cutdowns, but there was better news elsewhere for a recent Spartan defender. Jordan Turner, who spent one season in East Lansing after transferring from Wisconsin, survived Denvers roster decisions and gave Michigan State fans a reason to keep an eye on the Broncos once the regular season starts.
Turners place on the roster is notable because it sets him up for a bigger role than many expected when camp opened. He is part of a thin inside linebacker group in Denver, and the fact that he made it through to the regular season roster gives his career a clean new baseline after a strong summer, even as the details of how far that opportunity can go still remain to be seen. [Read more 🡒]