Season Overview
Columnist Graham Couch has laid out every Michigan State game on the 2024 slate, from the season‑opening test at Toledo to the final bowl matchup in Nashville.
The early test against Toledo carries extra weight because the Rockets have not lost a season in 17 years, setting a historic tone for the Spartans.
Cam Edwards, who transferred from UConn, capped the opener with a 75‑yard run that underscored his potential as a playmaker.
Eastern Michigan arrives with a resurgence under coach Chris Creighton, and quarterback Noah Kim, who threw nearly 3,000 yards last season, will try to extend that momentum.
The trip to South Bend to face Notre Dame marks the Spartans’ first visit in a decade, pitting them against a team that remains formidable despite losing two running backs to the NFL draft.
Jordan Hall’s 59‑yard scramble in the fourth quarter against Nebraska became a highlight, illustrating the spark that the new quarterback duo of Aidan Chiles and Hall can provide.
Facing Wisconsin, the Spartans encounter a program reshaped by Luke Fickell’s transfer‑portal overhaul, which has injected more than 30 newcomers, including a dual‑threat quarterback.
Illinois presented a mixed picture; after losing key transfer Katin Houser, Michigan State’s Alessio Milivojevic responded with four touchdowns, boosting confidence in the returning quarterback.
The Northwestern contest carries emotional weight as Aidan Chiles returns to his former conference, while the Wildcats’ offensive line uncertainty and Chip Kelly’s play‑calling add layers of intrigue.
In Los Angeles, a late interception by cornerback Chuck Brantley sealed a win over UCLA, a team that lacks a deep fan base but provided a tough test.
The rivalry game against Michigan, often described as the most unlikely victory, was framed by Pat Fitzgerald’s speech that echoed Mark Dantonio’s 2007 rallying cry, reinforcing Spartan pride.
Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. returns after a talent drain to the NFL, positioning the Huskies as a dark horse just below the Big Ten elite.
Oregon, the nation’s most talented squad, tested the Spartans in a game where Cam Edwards’ potential game‑winning touchdown was nullified at the goal line, highlighting the fine margins at this level.
A rematch with Dylan Lonergan, now a Boston College transfer, and his target KJ Duff added another layer to the non‑conference narrative.
A strong showing against Rutgers clinched bowl eligibility, prompting Pat Fitzgerald to accept a bid to the Music City Bowl, where Sam Leavitt, a quarterback who has swung through three colleges, will lead the offense.
Bowl Outlook
The season finale against LSU in Nashville promises a clash of styles, with the Spartans hoping to translate their late‑season momentum into a bowl victory.