When Michigan State kicks off its season Friday night in East Lansing against visiting Western Michigan, it won’t just be the start of another fall campaign. It’ll be a litmus test for Jonathan Smith, who kicks off his second year as head coach of the Spartans.After his team lost four of its last five games and finished 5-7 in 2024, Smith is embracing the challenge of goals that include bowl eligibility and beyond for a program hungry for relevance.”Our guys are focused in their prep of Western Michigan,” Smith said. “This is our first opportunity. We’re only guaranteed 12 of those (games). Obviously, we want to be playing more than 12, but we’re only guaranteed 12.”A great deal of the Spartans’ success will depend on the improvement of quarterback Aidan Chiles. He followed Smith from Oregon State and became the Michigan State starter in 2024. He completed 59.4 percent of his throws for 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns — with 11 interceptions — and rushed for 225 yards and three scores, with four lost fumbles.Chiles showed flashes of promise last season but struggled with ball security — something Smith hopes will improve with another offseason in the system.”I want (Chiles) to operate and trust what he sees, and take what they give you, get us in the right play and compete,” Smith said of his expectations in the opener.Chiles will face a Broncos team that brought in 33 transfers and 14 freshmen during the offseason after finishing 6-7 last season.
Michigan State motivated to shift trajectory, readies for Western Michigan
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