Michigan State football’s offensive woes were evident; solving them is the real test

Before his first start, Aidan Chiles gave some cheeky betting advice.

“Bet the over,” said the Michigan State quarterback.

Chiles believed the offense would rack up points, but that prediction missed the mark in a 16-10 season-opening win over Florida Atlantic. That game previewed what became one of the worst offensive seasons in college football.

Problems were obvious in nearly every game during Michigan State’s 5-7 campaign under new coach Jonathan Smith. The offense failed to establish a run game behind a shaky offensive line, and Chiles was turnover-prone. Overall, it was a struggle.

“We need to score points,” Smith said. “It comes down to protection issues, run game struggles. We had some solid outings, but too many negative plays. That combination doesn’t work.”

Now entering the final week of spring practices, set to end Saturday, the Spartans are using these 15 NCAA-allotted sessions over five weeks to fix what went wrong.

“I think it helped us,” Chiles said of last season. “It was a reality check — lose, and this is what it feels like. We don’t want to feel that again. You sit with it, then learn from it.”

Michigan State’s offense was sluggish in almost every way, and it showed in the stats. They finished 123rd nationally in scoring (19.3), 110th in rushing (115.3) and total offense (333.4), and 115th in red zone efficiency (75.7%).

“It snowballs,” Smith said. “Failing to run well leads to longer downs, more passing, then protection problems, which causes turnovers. It all ties together — and we’ve got to improve.”

Following a bye week after three straight losses, the run game briefly clicked during an upset over Iowa and the first half of a close loss at Michigan. Outside those six quarters, rushing success was rare.

With top rushers Nathan Carter and Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams gone, MSU struggled behind the line. A blowout loss to Indiana included minus-36 rushing yards — second-worst in program history — and they ended the year tied for 111th nationally in tackles for loss allowed (79).

“We were just too inconsistent,” offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jim Michalczik said. “One solid play, then a disaster. Good offenses stay steady. You’ll have bad plays, but not constantly.”

Returning backs Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis each had only seven carries last year as true freshmen. New to the team are Elijah Tau-Tolliver, a 950-yard rusher from FCS Sacramento State, and three-star recruits Jace Clarizio, a former Alabama commit, and Zion Gist.

They’ll run behind an offensive line that struggled with injuries. Tackles Stanton Ramil (left) returns, while Ashton Lepo (right) is sidelined this spring. Four veteran transfers join the unit, including ex-FCS All-American Conner Moore, who is practicing at right tackle.

“We know where we want to be, and we’re not there yet,” Michalczik said. “We’ll keep grinding until we reach that point.”

Chiles, a former four-star recruit who followed Smith from Oregon State, had a rocky first year as starter. He improved late, but still had 15 turnovers — including 11 interceptions (tied for Big Ten lead) and four lost fumbles.

“Last season taught him a lot,” said offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren. “It wasn’t smooth or successful like he hoped, but he’s hungry and focused on where to grow.”

MSU brought in Jon Boyer, who coached Chiles at Oregon State, as the new quarterbacks coach. While familiar with the offense, Boyer also brings a new angle after a year away.

“Sometimes he locked in too early on a read,” Boyer said. “He’s learning to recognize when a route expires or a concept is done and to move on. What I love is he’s instinctual, can throw on the move, and trusts his guys.”

Tight ends managed just one touchdown catch last year, but most return. The receiver group is less settled — only Nick Marsh, who had a standout freshman year, returns with double-digit receptions. Four veteran receivers from the portal are joining, critical for a team rebuilding its offense around Chiles.

“He’s a special talent,” Boyer said of Chiles. “If we keep refining his game… the sky’s the limit, and the other QBs are pushing him to be his best.”