Everyone thought the Jonathan Smith era would start with a bang. Maybe it did, technically? A 3-0 start is nothing to sneeze at, especially for a program that felt like it was drifting in a foggy lake for a couple of years. But if you look at the michigan state football schedule 2024 as a whole, it’s a weird, jagged pill to swallow.
The Spartans finished 5-7. Or did they? Depending on who you ask today, those wins might look a little different on paper because of some NCAA cleanup regarding the previous regime. But for the fans sitting in the cold metal bleachers of Spartan Stadium, the games happened. The sweat was real. The frustrations were even more real.
The Rollercoaster: A Month-by-Month Breakdown
Things started out kinda hopeful. Beating Florida Atlantic 16-10 wasn't pretty. Honestly, it was a bit of a slog. But a win is a win. Then came the Maryland game. That was the spark. Aidan Chiles found Nick Marsh for a 77-yard touchdown that felt like a "we’re back" moment. That 27-24 victory in College Park was supposed to be the launchpad.
Then reality hit. Hard.
September ended with a thud against Ohio State. October wasn't much kinder. Facing Oregon in Eugene is basically a scheduled headache for any team in the country. The Spartans got thumped 31-10. But then, out of nowhere, they beat Iowa 32-20. It was confusing. One week they looked like they couldn't find the end zone with a map, and the next, they’re putting up 30-plus on one of the sturdiest defenses in the Big Ten.
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The Game That Actually Mattered
You can't talk about the michigan state football schedule 2024 without talking about the Big House. October 26th.
The Spartans actually outgained Michigan. They had the ball for 37 minutes! Nathan Carter was a beast, rushing for 118 yards. But football is a cruel game. A fumble late in the second quarter allowed Michigan to sneak ahead before half, and MSU just couldn't claw back. That 24-17 loss stung more than the blowout against Indiana that followed. It felt like a missed opportunity to truly flip the script on the season.
Why the Schedule Was a Gauntlet
A lot of people look at a 5-7 record and think "failure." But look at who they played.
- Ohio State (Top 5)
- Oregon (Top 5)
- Indiana (Who turned out to be a juggernaut)
- Illinois (A sneaky-good ranked team)
Michigan State’s strength of schedule was ranked 21st in the nation by some metrics. That’s a lot of heavy lifting for a first-year coach with a roster that was basically held together by duct tape and transfer portal promises.
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The Weird Finish
The end of the year was just... odd. They beat Purdue 24-17 on a Friday night, which gave everyone hope that they might actually make a bowl game. All they had to do was beat Rutgers at home.
They didn't.
They got handled 41-14. It was a flat, disappointing end to a season that had enough "almost" moments to fill a book.
What We Learned
Aidan Chiles is the real deal, but he’s young. He threw for over 3,800 yards but also had those "what was he thinking?" interceptions. Nick Marsh is a superstar in the making. If Jonathan Smith can keep those guys around, the 2025 version of this schedule might look a lot different.
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The defense showed flashes. Joe Rossi moved from the box to the sideline mid-season, and you could see the energy shift. But depth was the enemy. By November, the Spartans were thin at linebacker and even thinner in the secondary.
Actionable Steps for Spartan Fans
If you're looking ahead after surviving the 2024 season, keep an eye on these specific areas:
- Monitor the Portal: Coach Smith needs more than just talent; he needs Big Ten size on the lines. Watch for defensive tackle and offensive tackle commits.
- Spring Game Attendance: Get a look at the early enrollees. The 2024 schedule proved that MSU needs freshmen who can play right away.
- Aidan Chiles’ Progress: The kid has the arm, but the decision-making needs a leap. Check for news on his offseason work with private QB coaches.
The michigan state football schedule 2024 was a bridge. It wasn't a pretty bridge. It had some potholes and a few loose boards. But it got the program from the chaos of the past into a settled, if slightly bruised, future.