Michigan State University sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) prepares to pass the ball to a teammate in Autzen Stadium, Oct. 4, 2024. In their first Big Ten matchup against the Spartans, the Ducks dominated, 31-10.
MSU football's season finale will come with high stakes as the Spartans fight to secure a postseason spot against Rutgers this Saturday.
MSU is 5-6 after beating Purdue last week, a game in which the Spartans were far from perfect. Their second half was marred by mistakes and missed opportunities, nearly blowing a three-possession lead to the worst team in the Big Ten.
While the Spartans have underperformed in many areas relative to outside expectations this season, a bowl appearance in head coach Jonathan Smith's first season at MSU would go a long way toward easing fan frustrations that have come with the rocky season.
With 61 new faces entering the year, Smith and his staff have navigated inconsistencies and injuries since MSU's first game of the season. While the Spartans have, at times, shown what they’re capable of, they've mostly held themselves back. It comes down to consistency and execution, offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said after practice Tuesday.
Despite the pressure on the Spartans to earn a result and secure a bowl appearance Saturday, they will have home-field advantage on their side.
MSU defensive coordinator Joe Rossi was a special teams and defensive specialist at Rutgers from 2012-2015. Also, the Scarlet Knights' quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis, is a transfer from University of Minnesota, where Rossi coached last season. Rossi knows Kaliakmanis better than other quarterbacks MSU's played this year, he said after practice Tuesday.
"I’ve seen him up close and personal," Rossi said. "He’s got a really good arm, he’s athletic, he’s faster than you would give him credit for."
Another key player for Rutgers is running back Kyle Monangai, who has totaled 1,150 yards this season. Monangai is a patient runner with a knack for finding vertical lanes, Rossi said.
The Scarlet Knights will aim for their seventh win against MSU, which would mark their best regular-season record in a decade. Rutgers is amidst a four-game losing streak, and the Spartans avoided the same fate with a win against Purdue last week.
MSU's offense has experienced clear growing pains through eleven games. Throughout this week of practice, Lindgren emphasized that missed opportunities stem from the entire offense, not just one position group. But MSU has overall shown growth and sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles has improved his decision-making, footwork and accuracy, Lindgren said.
"It’s been frustrating because you can see the growth," Lindgren said. "Then it’s almost like one step forward, two steps back on some of that stuff."
With aspirations for a bowl game in Smith’s first season in East Lansing, Saturday could be a good barometer of how well the Spartans are prepared for a must-win game.
The Spartans will take on the Scarlet Knights on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 3:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium. FOX will air the game.
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