Man, being a Spartans fan right now is a total rollercoaster. If you’ve been following the green and white, you know the vibe in East Lansing has shifted from "new era optimism" to "wait, what just happened?" pretty fast. After a season that felt like a long walk through a dark tunnel, the dust is finally settling on the 2025 campaign.
Honestly, the michigan state spartans football results tell a story of two seasons. There was the 3-0 start that had everyone thinking Jonathan Smith was a miracle worker, and then there was the brutal 1-8 stretch in the Big Ten that eventually led to his firing in late November. It’s wild how quickly things move in college football. One minute you're celebrating a double-overtime thriller against Boston College, and the next, the school is cuttin' a $30 million check to move in a "new direction."
The 2025 Michigan State Spartans Football Results Breakdown
Looking at the final tally, MSU finished 4-8. That’s not what anyone wanted. But if you look closer at the schedule, it was kinda doomed from the jump. The Big Ten gave them zero favors. After beating up on Western Michigan and Youngstown State, they hit a gauntlet of ranked teams and away games that would’ve made a pro team sweat.
Let’s look at how the actual games played out:
- August 29: Michigan State 23, Western Michigan 6 (The "Hey, we look decent" phase)
- September 6: Michigan State 42, Boston College 40 (2OT) – This was peak drama. Aidan Chiles looked like the truth, and Omari Kelly’s 2-point conversion catch in the second overtime was easily the highlight of the year.
- September 13: Michigan State 41, Youngstown State 24
- September 20: USC 45, Michigan State 31 (The reality check begins in LA)
- October 4: Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27
- October 11: UCLA 38, Michigan State 13
- October 18: Indiana 38, Michigan State 13
- October 25: Michigan 31, Michigan State 20 (The Paul Bunyan Trophy stays in Ann Arbor, unfortunately)
- November 1: Minnesota 23, Michigan State 20 (OT)
- November 15: Penn State 28, Michigan State 10
- November 22: Iowa 20, Michigan State 17
- November 29: Michigan State 38, Maryland 28 (The "Farewell" win at Ford Field)
Why the Mid-Season Collapse Happened
It’s easy to blame the coaching, but the stats show a deeper struggle. The Spartans were basically outscored 359 to 295 over the season. The defense, led by Jordan Hall, had some bright spots—Hall actually had a career-high 15 tackles against BC—but they spent way too much time on the field.
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The offense was... inconsistent. Aidan Chiles, the transfer who followed Smith from Oregon State, threw for 1,392 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games. But the interceptions and fumbles in the red zone? They were killers. By the time they played Minnesota, Smith actually benched Chiles for Alessio Milivojevic. That’s usually the "checkmate" move for a coach who knows his seat is getting hot.
The In-State Rivalry and the Paul Bunyan Trophy
You can’t talk about michigan state spartans football results without talking about the Michigan game. October 25th was a tough night in East Lansing. Michigan came in ranked No. 25, and while MSU kept it close for a bit, they just couldn't stop the Wolverines' run game. Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall basically lived in the Spartans' secondary.
Losing 31-20 at home to your rival hurts. It wasn’t just the score; it was the 12 penalties for 105 yards. You can’t win Big Ten games when you’re constantly shooting yourself in the foot with flags.
Who Actually Stepped Up?
Even in a 4-8 season, some guys balled out. You’ve gotta give credit to Nick Marsh. The sophomore wide receiver was a beast, hauling in 59 catches for 662 yards and 6 touchdowns. Every time the offense needed a spark, it seemed like they were looking for No. 6.
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And then there’s Omari Kelly. He finished with over 800 all-purpose yards. Between him and Marsh, the future of the receiving corps actually looks kinda bright, assuming they don't hop into the transfer portal.
The Jonathan Smith Era Ends (Already)
The biggest shocker for many was the timing of the firing. J Batt, the AD, didn't wait long. On November 30th, the day after the Maryland win, the news dropped. Smith was out after going 9-15 over two seasons.
It’s a complicated legacy. On one hand, he dealt with the fallout of the Mel Tucker mess and some vacated wins from 2024. On the other hand, a 1-8 conference record in 2025 is a hard pill to swallow for a program that expects to be in bowl games every year.
What’s Next for Spartan Football?
The rumors are flying that Pat Fitzgerald might be the guy to take over. Whether that happens or not, the program is at a crossroads. They just landed a big commitment from Nebraska transfer Kenneth Williams—an All-Big Ten return specialist—so the roster is still being built.
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The move to bring in LeVar Woods from Iowa as the special teams coordinator (and assistant head coach) is also a massive deal. Paying a special teams guy $1.2 million a year shows that MSU is willing to spend to fix the small details that cost them games against Minnesota and Iowa this year.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking for what to watch as the program transitions again, keep these three things in mind:
- Monitor the Portal: With a coaching change, the 15-day transfer window is crucial. Keeping Nick Marsh and Aidan Chiles (if he stays) is priority number one for the new staff.
- Watch the Special Teams: With LeVar Woods on board, expect the Spartans to gain an edge in field position. In 2025, they lost three games by three points or less. Better kicking and returning could have easily made this a 7-5 team.
- The Defensive Identity: The defense allowed nearly 30 points per game. Whoever takes the head coaching job needs to find a way to stop the run in the Big Ten, or the 2026 results will look a lot like 2025.
The 2025 season is in the books. It wasn't pretty, and it was often frustrating, but the Maryland win at Ford Field at least let the seniors go out with a smile. Now, all eyes are on the search for the next leader of the Spartans.