Maryland football is limping into Detroit for its last game of the season against Michigan State at Ford Field.
The Terps’ last win came in September; what started off a promising campaign has ended up as one that won’t even include a bowl game. The Spartans represent the last opportunity to send the seniors off on a high note and give promising underclassmen a final case to avoid the transfer portal.
Maryland’s final game of 2025 will kick off Saturday at 7 p.m. ET and air on FS1.
Michigan State Spartans (3-8, 0-8 Big Ten)
2024 record: 5-7, 3-6 Big Ten
Head coach Jonathan Smith’s second season at the helm has been a massive step back.
Few power conference teams have had a worse 2025 than Maryland; but the Spartans are one of them. Like the Terps, Michigan State swept its nonconference slate before falling into a pit against the Big Ten; on top of losing every conference game, it’s only kept two — Minnesota and Iowa — within one score.
Aidan Chiles — who threw for a career-high 363 yards in the Spartans’ 27-24 win over the Terps last year — has missed the past three outings with an injury. But whether it’s Chiles or redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic under center, Michigan State’s passing attack hasn’t been able to do enough to make up for a lackluster run game and leaky defense.
Nick Marsh, sophomore wide receiver, No. 6 — For the second straight year, Marsh is the Spartans’ top wideout option. The 6-foot-3 Detroit native and former four-star leads his team in the triple crown of receptions (52), receiving yards (577) and receiving touchdowns (5). But he’s struggled to close out the season, with just 23 yards across the past two games.
Jordan Hall, junior linebacker, No. 5 — Hall is a physical specimen in the middle of Michigan State’s defense and its most productive player on that side of the ball. He leads the team in tackles comfortably with 82 (45 solo) alongside two sacks, four tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and an interception.
Malcolm Bell, redshirt senior cornerback, No. 14 — Bell is the Spartan’s best cover corner and isn’t afraid to get dirty in the run game. He leads the secondary in passes defended (5) and PFF coverage grade (80.7) alongside five tackles for loss, a sack and 45 total tackles.
Ryan Eckley, redshirt junior punter, No. 96 — It’s rare a punter is one of a team’s top players, but Eckley is a rare talent at the position. The second-team preseason All-American leads the Big Ten in yards per punt at 48.6 — his second straight year topping the conference — and is set to break Michigan State’s career yards per punt record should it hold. With the Spartans’ offensive struggles, he’s been a vital piece of keeping games alive.
Limiting turnovers on offense. Michigan State scores just 23.4 points per game, but it keeps things clean on that side of the ball, with just one turnover per game on the year — five interceptions and six fumbles.
Forcing turnovers on defense. Part of the reason the Spartans haven’t gotten points on the board is because they haven’t benefitted from any extra possessions from their defense. They’ve got just eight total turnovers — four interceptions and four fumble recoveries — on the season, and no player has more than one pick.
1. Senior class’ final action. Some of the Terps program stalwarts — including Octavian Smith Jr., Shaleak Knotts, Jalen Huskey and Ethan Gough — and top recent transfers in Alan Herron and Jalil Farooq will be playing their final collegiate games Saturday. Head coach Michael Locksley has repeatedly emphasized the importance of sending them out on the right note.
2. Chiles’ status. Smith said he was “hopeful” Chiles would be available against Maryland. If so, he’s expected to start. But that’s no guarantee, and Milivojevic has held up valiantly in his relief.
3. Potential for record losing streak. A loss for Maryland would cement the program’s first eight-game losing streak under Locksley, and first since 2015, its first season in the Big Ten. Michigan State is the Terps’ worst opponent of the season, but winning habits haven’t exactly been developed this year in College Park.
