For Michigan State, a scandal-plagued and tumultuous 2023 football season gave way to a hopeful new era last November when Jonathan Smith was announced as the Spartans' new head coach.
Michigan State has struggled, going 9-15 over the past two seasons after going 11-2 and winning the Peach Bowl in 2021. The 2023 season was in turmoil as head coach Mel Tucker was suspended and ultimately fired after sexual harassment allegations were made against him by sexual assault survivor and activist Brenda Tracy. Tucker had previously hired Tracy as a speaker to the team.
The Spartans' four wins in 2023 tied their second-fewest wins in a season since 1992.
Must read:I played EA Sports College Football 25. Michigan State football is the perfect dynasty pick
Coach Smith and his new team will be looking to return the team to the Big Ten Conference championship contenders.
It may take time, but that goal could be within reach, at least judging by Smith's head coaching resume. Smith spent 2018-2023 at his alma mater, Oregon State, turning around one of the Pac-12's worst programs and leading the Beavers to a 25-13 record over his final three seasons, including a 10-3 mark in 2022, which marked just the third time in program history that Oregon State won 10 or more games.
Michigan State will open the 2024 season on Aug. 30 against Florida Atlantic University at Spartan Stadium.
Must read:Which Big Ten football players will be at Big Ten Media Days in 2024? Here's the full list of speakers
Where is the Michigan State football team projected to finish in the Big Ten Conference?
There will be modest expectations during the early stages of Smith's rebuild.
Michigan State was projected to finish 13th in the restructured, 18-team Big Ten in the USA Today Sports Network preseason poll.
The projected rankings were determined based on a vote by 13 reporters covering the conference for USA Today Sports Network stations.
The Spartans are behind three teams that are new to the league: No. 2 Oregon, No. 5 USC and No. 9 Washington. The teams they rank above, in order, are Minnesota, UCLA, Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern and Purdue.
Must read:Michigan State University football team has signed three-star recruit Bryson Williams from Orchard Lake St. Mary's High School.
Big Ten Football Projected Standings
Below is the complete USA TODAY Sports Network 2024 Big Ten football preseason poll (number of No. 1 votes in parentheses).
- 1. Ohio State University (8)
- 2. Oregon (5)
- T-3. Michigan
- T-3. Pennsylvania State University
- 5. University of Southern California
- 6. Iowa
- 7. Wisconsin
- 8. Nebraska
- 9. Washington
- 10. Rutgers
- 11. Maryland
- 12. Michigan State University
- 13. Minnesota
- 14. University of California, Los Angeles
- 15. Illinois
- 16. Indiana
- 17. Northwestern
- 18. Purdue
