Why MSU's Game Against UM Might Determine Youth Movement

Will the Michigan State Spartans start letting young players have more opportunity depending on the outcome of the Michigan game?

Michigan State's head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during the second quarter in the game against UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Michigan State Spartans have a pivotal game against the Michigan Wolverines tonight at home. 

This game carries significant weight for Jonathan Smith’s Spartans. Win, and your season is back on track. Lose, and coaching seats are burning up. 

If the Spartans cannot beat Michigan for a fourth straight season, they will drop to 3-5 on the year, and a fourth straight bowl game miss appears to be reality. Smith’s job security will come into question, despite a significant buyout. 

However, if MSU misses a bowl game but decides to keep Smith, the best course of action for the former Oregon State coach would be to bench veterans who did not get the job done in the early parts of the year. 

If experienced Spartans have struggled at their respective positions, it is in Smith’s best interest to sit them down and give young players the opportunity to prove themselves on the field for the last four games of the season. 

Young Spartan defenders

Indiana's Roman Hemby (1) runs during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For example, this Michigan State defense has struggled tremendously this season, regressing in year two under Defensive Coordinator Joe Rossi. MSU ranks near the bottom of the conference in almost every significant defensive statistic. 

Oct 18, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) catches a pass for a touchdown against Michigan State Spartans defensive back Aydan West (2) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The most alarming part about that fact is that MSU’s defense is loaded with experienced players. For such a seasoned group to lack cohesion so significantly is inexcusable from a player and coaching perspective. 

Who knows if Derrick Simmons would be better on the interior than Grady Kelly? Would Mikeshun Beeler be any worse off the edge than David Santiago or Jalen Thompson? 

The point is, they can’t be much worse. 

Playing young players probably won’t save Smith’s job, but if those players look better than the Spartans’ veterans, one might wonder why those players weren’t playing earlier in the season. 

Some young Spartans, like cornerback Aydan West, have played throughout this season. West has done a solid job in his freshman season, posting four tackles and one pass defended. 

Sep 13, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State defensive back Aydan West (2) reaches out to touch the lucky ball during the Spartan Walk at Spartan Stadium prior to a game against Youngstown State. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images | Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

If MSU loses tonight, it will be a lost season. That could be the green light for this coaching staff to see what it has in its young players – even if it isn’t long for East Lansing.

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