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Free Press sports writer Chris Solari looks ahead to Michigan State football’s 2024 season opener Friday against Florida Atlantic at Spartan Stadium.
Next up for the Spartans: Florida Atlantic Owls
Matchup: Michigan State (4-8 in 2023) vs. Florida Atlantic (4-8 in 2023).
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday; Spartan Stadium, East Lansing.
TV/radio: Big Ten Network; WJR-AM (760).
Line: Spartans by 13.
Know the foe
Florida Atlantic head coach Tom Herman watches his team during warm ups before a 42-20 victory over Monmouth at FAU Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Boca Raton, Fla.
Former Texas head coach and one-time Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman enters Year 2 of his rebuild with the Owls banking on Marshall transfer Cam Fancher as his starting quarterback. He’s a dual-threat option who compiled an 11-6 record with 3,766 yards, 21 TDs and 17 interceptions passing in two years (25 games) starting for the Thundering Herd. He also ran for 757 yards and five TDs on 232 attempts. Herman brought in several skill players among 21 incoming transfers to boost an offense ranked 100th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total yards (330.8) and 108th in rushing (115.3) per game last season. FAU’s defense ranked 90th in yards allowed (397.3) and 57th in points per game (25.5), while the Owls scored 23.8 points. They lost their final four American Athletic Conference games to miss a bowl, along with early losses to Clemson (48-14) and Illinois (23-17).
3 things to watch
Michigan State’s quarterback Aidan Chiles during camp on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at the indoor practice facility in East Lansing.
New era: After firing Mel Tucker for off-field issues during the 2023 season, MSU brings in coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State. The Spartans have missed a bowl game in three of the past four years. Smith was a program builder at his alma…
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-vs-florida-atlantic-100834239.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2024-08-26 10:08:34
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