(Photo credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

When Michigan State kicks off its season Friday night in East Lansing against visiting Western Michigan, it won't just be the start of another fall campaign. It'll be a litmus test for Jonathan Smith, who kicks off his second year as head coach of the Spartans.

After his team lost four of its last five games and finished 5-7 in 2024, Smith is embracing the challenge of goals that include bowl eligibility and beyond for a program hungry for relevance.

'Our guys are focused in their prep of Western Michigan,' Smith said. 'This is our first opportunity. We're only guaranteed 12 of those (games). Obviously, we want to be playing more than 12, but we're only guaranteed 12.'

A great deal of the Spartans' success will depend on the improvement of quarterback Aidan Chiles. He followed Smith from Oregon State and became the Michigan State starter in 2024. He completed 59.4 percent of his throws for 2,415 yards and 13 touchdowns -- with 11 interceptions -- and rushed for 225 yards and three scores, with four lost fumbles.

Chiles showed flashes of promise last season but struggled with ball security -- something Smith hopes will improve with another offseason in the system.

'I want (Chiles) to operate and trust what he sees, and take what they give you, get us in the right play and compete,' Smith said of his expectations in the opener.

Chiles will face a Broncos team that brought in 33 transfers and 14 freshmen during the offseason after finishing 6-7 last season.

'It'll be a great challenge and opportunity for us on Friday night, one that we're looking forward to embracing,' said Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor. 'Our focus has really just been on worrying about the process of getting better every single day, and not trying to get too high or too low, riding that emotional roller coaster.'

With Hayden Wolff gone, the Broncos will rotate two quarterbacks: redshirt sophomore Broc Lowry and JUCO standout Brady Jones. Lowry, last year's backup, brings familiarity with the system. Jones arrives from Riverside Community College, where he lit up defenses with 4,456 yards passing, including 44 touchdowns.

'They've both done an excellent job really commanding the offense, being great teammates, being great leaders, and when they've had opportunities, they've been efficient, they haven't put the ball in jeopardy, and really done a nice job leading our offense,' Taylor said.

Western Michigan has lost 13 straight games to the Spartans.

--Field Level Media