Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss Jonathan Smith’s future after MSU defeated Maryland.
1. An announcement on Jonathan Smith should come soon. It’s hard to see him coming back.
When asked Saturday night after defeating Maryland at Ford Field if he had been told if he was being brought back, Smith said, “Don’t do that,” after saying he had talked with athletic director Jay Batt throughout the week. BAT did not make itself available for comment on Saturday night.
Despite whispers that Smith may be returning next season, I find it hard to believe. If he was coming back, that call could have been made before now, to try to stabilize recruiting and give fans and donors a direction. BAT has kept its watch tight and has remained publicly silent on the matter. He didn’t want to be in this place this year, but here we are. I also don’t think he wants Smith to be his first coaching hire, which would essentially bring him back for another year. Because you cannot just stick to these decisions.
Smith has lost his fan base, he hasn’t shown that he and his staff can make a difference in winnable games – despite a great result on Saturday – and he hasn’t made it clear why he should return.
“I think we’ve got a group that continues to work, continues to put in the work even when the work isn’t always easy,” Smith said when asked about that issue Saturday. “We can do tough things. (I’m) someone who’s not over-dramatic, but I will tell you that looking back at this year I think we’re pretty tough as a group.”
So if you’re keeping him, you’ve got to make that case. You are going against the grain. You are renting for 2026. I can’t see it, once you get past the feel-good vibes from Saturday night.
Smith said MSU’s 4-8 mark, including 1-8 in the Big Ten, suits this team.
“I think the record is factual,” Smith said, not trying to explain away the many losses, adding that their one win in the Big Ten feels a lot better than going winless.
“Let’s face it, 0-fer versus one (win) in the league, there’s a difference.”
Beating a Maryland team in an equally bad venue on Saturday night is better than the alternative, but perhaps it’s too little, too late.
Now we will know in a few hours.
2. A messenger MSU crowd
The largest crowd at Ford Field on Saturday night occurred when MSU called timeout before punting late in the third quarter and the referee said, “Timeout, Michigan.” Voices were coming from where no one was sitting.
The crowd stood up only once more on Saturday when the MSU student section chanted “Fire Smith” in a corner of the upper deck, which happened twice.
MSU fans spoke volumes about his absence. Perhaps a crowd of 15,000 would have been better if the first dose of winter weather wasn’t hitting the state — though, if there were real risks involved in this game, I think people would have braved the icy roads in Detroit.
This performance was an indication of where fans stood with the program. That’s not all that matters when deciding whether to keep or fire a coach – because if things change the fans will come back. But it is a sign that there is very little confidence in what is happening.
3. A good result for an MSU team that needed it — and some game ball
I don’t know how impressive Saturday’s win was, but it was needed. College football is a tough game, a physical exertion unlike anything else. And when you’re losing week after week, it’s a long, hard slog.
MSU moving to 4-8 with a 38-28 win over Maryland doesn’t make the season successful or acceptable, but it will make these players and coaches feel a little better about whatever lies ahead for them.
MSU probably played its best offensive game since it was still technically summer, let’s say these guys were trying to figure it out until the ship hit the bottom of the ocean. This is a good character trait. A feature that speaks to the roaster and staff who took care every step of the way. MSU’s defensive performance for much of Saturday didn’t leave you with the same warm and fuzzy feelings, although that unit got it done in the fourth quarter, which is the opposite of what’s been happening.
Game balls go to Allante Brown, Nick Marsh, Omari Kelly, Elijah Taue-Tolliver, Alessio Milojevic and Jordan Hall.
You’ve got to feel good for MSU Elante Brown Saturday after a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter. You could see the emotion when he took off his helmet and started running off the field. He’s been through it all this year, including his escape.
Brown’s fiancée was shot in the head over the summer. He said Saturday night that his condition was largely unchanged. He is still speechless.
“Football is my safe place, and I know I have an opportunity to go out there and do something for my family, for this situation, for him and for me,” Brown told the Lansing State Journal after a 63-yard kick return against Boston College in September.
Connected: Michigan State’s Elante Brown plays for his fiancee as she fights for her life
A week later, he suffered an injury during warmups that kept him out until Saturday. That was a heckuva comeback. And hopefully, for him, more tape that will make him attractive to NFL teams as a return guy.
nick marsh It was also the culmination of a difficult and disappointing sophomore season, finishing with seven catches for 85 yards and a touchdown – his most catches and first score since the Indiana game on October 18, his most yards since MSU’s last win against Youngstown State on September 13.
MSU has had trouble getting him the ball and has missed a few plays on the field in recent weeks. He looked like a busy man again on Saturday.
As the Spartans’ season has gone south offensively, running back Eliza Tau-Tolliver He’s a player whose season ended, which was kind of a relief for the Spartans considering the injury to Makhi Frazier. Tau-Tolliver, who had 11 carries for 127 yards at Minnesota and was six for 79 against Penn State – each with a long run – had another strong performance, with another long run. He finished with 13 carries for 95 yards, including a 38-yard scamper that could have helped put the game away had it not been for an Alessio Milivojevic interception immediately afterward.
Tau-Tolliver, a Sacramento State transfer, looked like a guy who didn’t make it to the Big Ten until around Halloween. Then he proved he could produce at this level.
Milivojevic Throwed a pick that almost cost MSU a loss – the Spartans defense stepped up late and saved the Spartans. Otherwise he was generally very good. Some of the throws he made in the first half were among his best, including Marsh and jack welling On an impressive last drive just before the half.
Milivojevic finished his redshirt freshman season with a win and completed 27 of 39 passes for 292 yards and four touchdowns, including a game-clinching dart to Omari Kelly (who resurfaced on Saturday) on fourth down late in the fourth quarter. The decision to play to win the game there was also a strong call from Jonathan Smith. Maybe the final effect.
Milivojevic has room to grow. But he continues to show that he is a promising quarterback.
linebacker Jordan Hall With important games played late, MSU did not play the way they did defensively at the end of games, ending a season during which he was rarely healthy.
This season will not be remembered for many good things. But Hall’s effort and care will be one of them.
Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. X Follow him on @Graham_Couch and BlueSky @GrahamCouch.
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