Through the loss and the changes and the pressure, Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith addresses the questions and concerns of his future as MSU's head coach.
Michigan State looked like it had finally turned a corner after a dominant third quarter, but a familiar fourth-quarter collapse erased a 10-point lead and handed Iowa a 20-17 win on a last-second field goal. The loss adds another chapter to a season defined by late-game failures, as the Spartans once again showed flashes of promise before unraveling when it mattered most.
Michigan State football and its offensive line has been anything but productive this season. It's been inefficient and inconsistent, ranks at the bottom of the FBS statically and has lost MSU game after game. In order for MSU to have a future, the offensive line must protect it.
Michigan State opened its final home game with a 57-yard jolt of energy, but the spark didn’t last. Behind an inconsistent offense, protection issues and a late collapse, the Spartans fell 28-10 to Penn State, ending their bowl hopes for the fourth straight season. Elijah Tau-Tolliver’s breakout performance kept MSU afloat, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a dominant Nittany Lion front and a inefficiency to convert on third down.
In Michigan States 28-10 loss to Penn State, its defense clawed and fought play after play. For three quarters it did this, playing with motivation and a willingness to get off the field. But when the fourth quarter began, these traits disappeared, and Penn State and its offense took advantage.
Despite a six-game losing streak, Michigan State football continues to compete at a high level, showing resilience and effort in nearly every game. From close losses against rivals Michigan and Minnesota to leadership in the locker room, the Spartans remain committed, proving they can fight through adversity while keeping their season alive.
With three games left in the 2025 football season, Michigan State still has an opportunity to finish strong. To do what they desire, the Spartans must finish games better, and it starts this Saturday against Penn State.
Michigan State football has been placed on a three-year probationary period by the NCAA after investigators found that former staff members “arranged and provided impermissible recruiting inducements and benefits and unofficial visit expenses” during the tenure of former head coach Mel Tucker.
Michigan State University partnered with Levy to manage concessions at athletic venues starting this season, but the rollout drew widespread fan criticism. Surveys and feedback described long lines, poor food quality, and overpriced options, prompting calls for improvement and healthier choices.
When the class of 2026 arrived on campus four years ago, they expected a good football team. Instead, what they got was defeat. Four grim years of it. Losing records and no bowl game experiences and no victories over rival Michigan. For some seniors, it's frustrating. For others, it's unbelievable.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Alessio Milivojevic delivered a breakout performance in his first career start, throwing for 301 yards and a touchdown to help Michigan State push Minnesota to overtime. Despite explosive second-half plays and a revived offense, the Spartans fell 23-20 on the road, extending their losing streak to six games as they enter a crucial bye week before facing Penn State.
Despite seeing the field only in late-game situations, redshirt freshman quarterback Alessio Milivojevic has quietly made the most of his limited snaps. With four straight scoring drives to close games, his steady production is starting to turn heads — and spark conversation about whether Michigan State could soon have a quarterback battle on its hands.
With Michigan State football on a five game losing streak, it's searching for changes and answers. In the Spartans 31-20 loss to Michigan, it may have found a change that will lead to answers: defensive coordinator Joe Rossi moving from the coaches booth to the sideline. Against Minnesota this Saturday, Rossi will remain on the MSU sidelines to ignite intensity and know-how in his Spartan defense.
A late, controversial offsides call proved pivotal in Michigan’s 31–20 victory over Michigan State, negating a potential fumble recovery and swinging momentum in the Wolverines’ favor. The ruling not only shifted the scoreboard but also sidelined Spartans’ defensive captain Jordan Hall for the remainder of the quarter. MSU’s struggles with penalties compounded the impact, highlighting self-inflicted mistakes that kept the Spartans from capitalizing on key opportunities. For fans, the loss deepened the rivalry’s drama and left lingering “what-ifs” about what might have been.
Against its ranked rival - the Michigan Wolverines - Michigan State football and its offense couldn't execute, leading to a 31-20 loss.
The Paul Bunyan rivalry returns this Saturday at Spartan Stadium as Michigan State and Michigan go head-to-head in its 118th meeting. The Spartans defense will attempt to limit the Wolverines rushing attack while the Spartans offense looks to win the ground game themselves.
Michigan State football seeks to return the Paul Bunyan Trophy back to East Lansing this Saturday against its more fierce rival in the Michigan Wolverines. To ensure the Spartans hold passion for a passionate game, MSU head coach Jonathan Smith has brought ex-players and alumni into the facility to speak to his team in attempts to spread knowledge and history of what this game means, while also supplying resources and tips on what to expect.
Michigan State looks to snap a near four-year drought against Michigan when the rivals meet Saturday night at Spartan Stadium. With head coach Jonathan Smith seeking his first ranked win and alumni stressing the rivalry’s importance, the Spartans hope to deliver an “unforgettable” performance and bring Paul Bunyan back to East Lansing.
Under Jonathan Smith, Michigan State is supposed to be rebuilding — but the losses have become alarmingly familiar. Over the past two seasons, the Spartans have repeatedly started strong before unraveling in waves of unanswered points, turning competitive moments into blowouts. From ranked opponents like Ohio State and Oregon to unranked foes such as UCLA and Rutgers, the pattern has been the same: defensive lapses, fading urgency, and an offense that eventually disappears. As MSU continues its search for identity in year two, the question isn’t whether it can win — it’s whether it can compete.
Against No. 3 Indiana, Michigan State football couldn't handle a Hoosier offense that finished the game scoring on sic of its seven opportunities, playing pivotal in a 38-13 loss.