In the Gopher Hole: Can a Desperate Spartan Squad Avoid Total Collapse?
Another week, another gut-check for the Michigan State Spartans. If you’re like me, you’re still wondering if the Spatans can somehow flip a switch, show some fight, and compete for four quarters. The Green and White head into the Gopher Hole today to take on Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium, and the contrast between these two programs couldn’t be sharper.
The Spartans are hanging on by a thread at 3–5 (0–5 in the Big Ten), while the Gophers are a solid 5–3, including a perfect 5–0 at home. P.J. Fleck’s crew has turned Minneapolis into a fortress. Michigan State? They’re limping into enemy territory with injuries, inconsistency, and a coaching staff searching for answers.
This one feels like a defining moment for Jonathan Smith — not in the “statement win” kind of way, but in the “how much fight does this team have left?” kind of way.
The Ghost of Last Week
Before we look ahead, let’s call last week what it was — brutal. A 31–20 loss to Michigan that somehow felt worse than the score suggested. It wasn’t just about getting beat by a better team; it was how it happened.
The Spartans were sloppy, undisciplined, and flat-out beat themselves. Penalties piled up (12 for 105 yards), the run defense was gashed, and the offense couldn’t string together momentum. Aidan Chiles fumbled on the opening drive, nearly threw a pick-six, and set the tone for another night of self-inflicted wounds.
Afterward, Jonathan Smith didn’t sugarcoat it.
“We finally get an answer offensively and we got opportunities twice on their side of the field, fourth down, don’t get it done, and just where it’s not good enough to overcome some of the penalties we inflicted on ourselves,”
Smith said following the loss to Michigan (247Sports).
That quote captures the team’s current state — close enough to compete but lacking the discipline to win. Speaking to fans from both sides of the game, they felt it was hard to watch with all the miscues and penalties.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s coming off its own nightmare: a 41–3 thumping by Iowa. But before you think that levels the playing field, remember this — the Gophers are a different team at home. They’ve held opponents to just 12.8 points per game in Minneapolis. Translation: they might’ve been humbled last week, but they’ll be angry and locked in today.
Quarterback Decisions in East Lansing
Alright, is there really a QB controversy brewing?
Aidan Chiles has been the guy, but his play has been up and down — flashes of brilliance one drive, frustration the next. Against Michigan, he went 14-for-28 for 130 yards with a rushing score, but the offense sputtered again.
Late in the fourth quarter, redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic came in and led a quick touchdown drive. Sure, it was against backups, but he looked poised and efficient. That’s enough to spark a quarterback controversy — or at least a conversation.
The dilemma? If you go with Milivojevic, you lose the mobility Chiles brings. And that’s risky against a Minnesota defense that ranks fifth nationally in sacks per game. Michigan State’s offensive line has already given up 23 sacks this season. Whichever QB plays will need escapability, or it’s going to be a long afternoon in the Twin Cities.
My view is that if Chiles starts and quickly falters, he’ll be replaced in the second half. That’s what I would do if I were Smith. He brought Chiles to E. Lansing and has shown commitment to the struggling junior QB. Milivojevic should have a whole half to see how he leads the offence.
The Heat Is On
Let’s not pretend this is normal. The pressure is cranking up in East Lansing, and everyone knows it.
The Spartans have now lost five straight, and nationally, people are starting to ask hard questions. On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman recently discussed the trend:
“In this era, you don’t get to get worse in year two,” Wasserman said. “You might not be great, but you have to show progress. Regression is the enemy of employment in college football.”
That’s the uncomfortable reality. With new athletic director J. Batt in charge, Smith isn’t his guy. While an in-season firing is unlikely, a blowout today could make the postgame questions very awkward.
Game Day Vitals
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Huntington Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, MN)
TV: Big Ten Network
Weather: Cloudy, mid-40s, chance of rain — Big Ten November football at its finest.
Line: Minnesota -3.5 | Over/Under: 44.5
Injuries? They’re piling up. Linebacker Jordan Hall, OL Stanton Ramil, and DL Ben Roberts are all questionable after getting banged up against Michigan. For Minnesota, the biggest storyline is whether running back Darius Taylor suits up — he’s been their offensive engine when healthy.
What This Really Means
This game is about more than numbers or standings. It’s about pride.
Michigan State hasn’t won a conference game this season. They’ve lost seven straight on the road. They’ve beaten themselves as much as their opponents have beaten them. And yet — even with all that, there’s still something to play for.
No one expects a miracle. But if this team can show fight — cut the penalties, sustain drives, and protect the football — it at least signals that the players haven’t checked out.
Win, and you buy a little belief. Lose ugly again, and the noise around the program only gets louder.
The path to victory is narrow: contain the run, protect the quarterback, and avoid those back-breaking mistakes that have defined this season. It’s not glamorous, but right now, survival would be enough.
Can the Spartans pull off a gritty, season-saving upset? Logic says no. But hey — stranger things have happened in the Big Ten.
Here’s hoping this one surprises us.
Prediction: Minnesota 38 — Michigan State 24
💬 What’s your prediction for today’s game? Drop it below or head to the Spartan Soundoff Forum to talk it out with the MST crew.
Sources: On3; 247Sports.com
