Nothing says that the college football season is right around the corner than being able to sit in front of your high-definition television or streaming device and watch the conference media days. The SEC had its last week and it's the Big Ten's turn this coming week.
Michigan State is a program trying to find its footing after the Mel Tucker fiasco, and things didn't go so well last season. Now, it's hopefully time to turn the page and set a direction and culture for a Spartan program that hasn't quite been the same since Mark Dantonio rode off into the sunset.
Here are three questions we're anxious to address for Michigan State during Big Ten media days this week.
3. Can Aidan Chiles upgrade the quarterback play?
Today's game is centered around quarterback play. If you don't have it, you're looking for it, and if you have it, you're hoping it stays and continues to produce at a high level. It's not been all chocolates and roses for Sparty lately at the position, but the coaching staff is hoping that changes with the insertion of Oregon State transfer Aidan Chiles. He's a former four-star prospect and showed flashes of pushing the ball down the field in Corvallis, and that's just what the doctor ordered in East Lansing. Can he fill the prescription?
2. Can Jonathan Smith show progress in Year 2?
To be fair, head coach Jonathan Smith was handed a turd and did the best he could last season, but now the pressure is on. Basketball might always be king in East Lansing, but that doesn't mean they don't care about football at all at Michigan State. All you have to do is look at what Mark Dantonio did and what the program can be. Smith needs to at least show signs of progress this year to bring back some of the excitement that needs a little push.
1. Can a young defense play at a high enough level?
It would probably be unrealistic to expect Michigan State to be a lock for a bowl in 2024, but it's not out of the question with an upset or two on the schedule. To do it, a young defense needs to come along to keep the Spartans in games and hope the offense can pull things out when called upon. It might be too much to ask with a league loaded with great defenses, but it's the one thing that might determine the trajectory of this season.