The bye week offers a midseason rest and revamp for MSU before its final six games of the season, which will provide more insight on where head coach Jonathan Smith and his team stands. 

Here's what MSU football can look to fix and adjust in its bye week.

Offensive line struggles

Without a reliable offensive line in any facet, a football team's potential is severely hindered. For Michigan State, shaky performances in the trenches thus far have held back its offensive capabilities. 

It started with the injuries. Just two weeks into the season, the Spartans' offensive line depth was lacking as sophomores Kristian Phillips and Gavin Broscious went down with season-ending injuries. This has allotted more minutes to younger, inexperienced lineman, which has created rotation issues and lack of chemistry. 

MSU's struggles up front have translated to the entire offense. Through six games, MSU has given up 11 sacks and averaged just 2.5 yards per carry. That's not a recipe for success in the Big Ten.

Figuring out how to adjust — schematically or otherwise — is crucial for the Spartans' back half of the season. 

Red zone woes

In 2023, Smith's Oregon State team led the nation in red zone conversions, going 41-for-42. Through six games, MSU ranks 127th in the nation in that category, just 14-for-21. 

This gap can be attributed to a lack of execution and turnovers: fumbles, interceptions, penalties and other mishaps. The Spartans haven't found a way to consistently score when threatening. 

A couple of early drive-killers have resulted in serious damage to MSU, costing it the chance to hang around against Ohio State and Oregon. In the first quarter of each game, the Spartans' handful of unsuccessful red zone opportunities prevented them from early momentum.

Deficiencies on the ground have also played a part. Over the past three games in nine red zone attempts, Michigan State has elected to run just four times for eight yards with Nate Carter and Kay'ron Lynch-Adams, its two-headed backfield.

The Spartans were a couple red zone turnovers away from looking completely different against national title contenders. The bye week gives them a chance to clean it up in that area. 

Linebacker play 

This season, MSU's defense has been a tight-knit group, ranking inside the nation's top 50 in total defense, red zone defense and scoring defense. With consistently strong showings by the much of the defense, the linebacker position has posed problems for MSU. 

Entering the season, an influx of transfers and returning starters built a combination of depth and promise for the Spartan linebacker group. Six games into the season, that promise has faded. 

The position was exposed against Ohio State and Oregon, both containing the second level and in pass coverage. The teams combined for 398 yards rushing and 562 yards passing. Against Oregon, MSU senior linebacker Cal Haladay recorded a 36.9 PFF Grade, the lowest of his career and eighth-lowest among qualifying FBS Linebackers that week. 

Haladay also ranks second among Big Ten linebackers in missed tackles (10). With depth on the bench for the Spartans, the bye week could be key to adjust. 

Aidan Chiles' confidence

Age and inexperience has played a factor in many of MSU sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles' turnover struggles. At the same time, many of them have been mistakes a quarterback can't make at any level.

So far, the 19-year-old has committed 11 turnovers — eight interceptions and three fumbles. 

Even through the struggles, Chiles has shown his potential and talent, passing the eye test in several key moments. Through the air, he can get the ball downfield and has shown flashes of sound decision-making and accuracy. 

On the ground, his willingness to extend plays and evade pressure with his legs makes him dangerous. 

MSU's offensive line and running game haven't made anything easy on Chiles, but he's found ways to make winning plays in spots. The back half of the season is where he can start to eliminate turnovers and show the coaching staff he's capable of leading MSU to bigger things down the road.

Some extra rest and evaluation time this week could go a long way for the young quarterback entering a prove-it stretch. 

Preparing for Iowa

Spartan football will return on Oct. 19 at Spartan Stadium against Iowa. It'll be an important one for Smith and company on MSU homecoming in a pivotal Big Ten matchup. MSU's last win against the Hawkeyes came in 2017.

To flip the script and earn a crucial win, MSU must prepare for Iowa's rushing attack and stout defense. The night game, MSU's fourth straight, will decipher exactly how well the Spartans can adjust.

MSU takes on Iowa Saturday, Oct. 19 at Spartan Stadium at 7:30 p.m. NBC will air the game.