Matchup: FAU (0-0) vs Michigan State (0-0)
When: Friday, November 30th, 7:00 PM
Where: Spartan Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: FoxSports 640
Opening Line: FAU +13.5
Series Michigan State leads 2-0
Owl Notes
It is finally here, FAU at Michigan State will commence Friday night at 7 PM from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. This will kick off the second season of the Tom Herman era and FAU will be looking to pull the upset over a rebuilt Michigan State squad to start their year.
The Owls come into this game after an offseason which featured a lot of retooling and this game will be the first opportunity to see how the new additions gel on the field. One of the biggest additions, QB Cam Fancher will make his debut as QB1 and Captain of the offense and all eyes will be on him as the Owls look to upset a P4 opponent.
Fancher’s dual-threat ability will be on display under the lights, as he takes the reins at QB for the Owls and it will be important for him to execute both sides of his game early in this one. FAU’s ability to execute run plays for Fancher will be crucial for the offense as it looks to set up the RPO and deeper pass game.
Alongside Fancher, CJ Campbell Jr and Zuberi Mobley headline a dynamic duo in the backfield that will be called upon to provide relief for Fancher and lead a powerful run attack. Although people may expect a Tom Herman led offense to be pass heavy, but with a healthy dual threat running game expect the Owls to rely on the run game a decent amount, especially in Fancher’s first game.
At the WR position, FAU will look for a group effort, however EJ Horton and Caleb Coombs may both play a role in the short and long pass game, with Fancher having a solid level of familiarity with both in game action. One of the most critical units for the Owls in this one will be the offensive line, as although Michigan State debuts a rebuilt defensive line, their new Coach Jonathan Smith has a defensive background and will be attacking off the edge. Daughtry Richardson and Malcolm Lamar will need to have big games on the exterior of the line to keep Fancher upright in this one.
Oregon State recorded 39 sacks last season with Smith at the helm which was good for 11th in the nation, although there is less familiarity than there was at Oregon St. there is arguably more talent at MSU, which could make for a long day for the offense if the line struggles.
Defense is the strength of this Owls squad and FAU will need a strong performance out of this group if they are looking to complete the upset Vs MSU.
Starting up-front, FAU will have to find a way to dominate the trenches, with LSU transfer Bryce Langston and veteran Jaden Wheeler needing to combine for a solid performance to stop the MSU power run attack and provide pressure up the middle.
Off the edge, it needs to be guns blazing for FAU as they face off against an 18 year old QB making his first career start in Aidan Chiles. Wilky Denaud will most likely make his CFB debut for the Owls and a big performance from him attacking the QB would go a long way at disrupting the Spartans offense.
Over the middle, the linebacker corps will be busy containing the dual threat in Aidan Chiles and keeping the Spartan run game in check. Jackson Ambush’s ability to disrupt plays and break into the backfield will be huge for FAU in this one and along with Desmond Tisdol they will look to force MSU into being one dimensional.
The secondary is the big strength of the defense, with 2 talented corners on the outside in 6’3 Buggs Brown and ‘athletic freak’ Daedae Hill, while transfer Wendol Philord holds down the slot. At safety, veteran Jayden Williams, Transfer Phil Dunnam and freshman CJ Heard combine to make a ball-hawking unit that will look to lock down a talented MSU offense.
FAU will be tasked with slowing down Aidan Chiles and his array of weapons, as the Spartans will be looking to get out to a hot start, but they have the talent and experience to do exactly that. If the Owls front 7 can provide a consistent pass rush to limited broken coverage situations, the strength of this defense will be able to shine against Michigan State.
Star Watch: RB CJ Campbell Jr.
If FAU is going to pull off the upset in this one, multiple things will need to occur from a team perspective, but one thing that is a must is that the Owls debut a diverse offensive attack. After not being able to crack the depth chart during his time at FSU, CJ Campbell Jr has experienced environments like this before and heads into his FAU debut with a huge opportunity to capitalize, and the Owls are going to need him.
A speedy, but also powerful running back, Campbell Jr. has been a shining star for FAU during the offseason and in this one could see a large workload to help set up the Owls RPO and Play action game. A sizable and successful dose of Campbell in this matchup will help the offense keep the MSU defense true so with that in mind, look for the Owls to execute the run game early to help set the tone.
Final Word
A matchup against a team looking to set the tone starting a new era is never an easy draw, however FAU brings the talent to compete in this matchup and that is something that cannot be ignored.
With one of the most dynamic athletes in team history at the helm in Fancher, combined with a dynamic duo at RB in Campbell Jr and Mobley, the Owls have an experienced trio to help command the offense in what will be a raucous environment. It will be important for FAU to establish both the run and the pass early in this one and find a way to stretch the field vertically as the game goes on.
Defense was one of the biggest strengths of this team last year at times, and this year should be no different, with an increased pass rush, retained LB corps, and more athletic secondary. Getting after the QB early and containing the run game will be crucial for the Owls to slow down the Spartans offense and prevent them from dictating the flow of the game.
If FAU is able to execute a diverse offense, and on the other side of the ball get after Aidan Chiles and make him uncomfortable in his first career start, they have a chance to compete in this one and could find themselves in it to win it.
Michigan State Notes
Michigan State starts off the Jonathan Smith era hosting the Owls in their home opener and there are a lot of uncertainties around this squad but one thing is for certain, and that is Smith knows how to build a program and win. Smith was able to re-initiate a winning culture that was established by Mike Riley at Oregon State and dampened by the down years of Gary Anderson and he will be looking to bring back the Dantonio golden years following the Mel Tucker collapse.
It took Smith 4 years in Corvallis to have his first winning season, but the rebuild that was needed was arguably more than what is needed currently at Michigan State. Smith brings an array of talent with him over from Oregon State and has competed strongly in the transfer portal and will be looking to turn MSU around faster than he did at his first stop.
One of those pieces that came with him was the starting QB and offensive captain for the Spartans Aidan Chiles. Coming out of High School, Chiles was a 4 star recruit and chose Jonathan Smith and Oregon State over UCLA, Oregon, and FAU among others. In his freshman year at Oregon State, Chiles was the backup to DJ Uiagalelei and competed for the starting job, ultimately playing in 4 games throwing for 309 yards and 4 TDs, and rushing for 79 yards and 3 scores, before following Smith to MSU this offseason.
Chiles is an explosive quarterback who can extend plays with his legs and possesses a really solid throw on the run ability, and at 6 ‘3, he has the size to command the pocket, with accuracy to run the vertical side of the offense. Where he can truly take over games however is with his legs, having natural athleticism and running ability in open space to force defenses to hone in on his run game which opens up the pass.
In his first career start it will be interesting to see if FAU brings a heavy dose of pressure that tests his out of pocket ability and what his decision making in the pocket looks like in the first game. If the Owls are able to win the line of scrimmage battle and force pressure it will be something to watch how long he hangs around in the pocket as a passer before looking to run with it.
Providing relief for Aidan behind him at RB will be Nate Carter who heads into his second year with the program following 2 seasons at UCONN. In his first season at Michigan State, Carter was the feature back in Mel Tucker’s final season in what ended up being a pretty ineffective offensive overall, but Carter was able to find bright spots, rushing 185 times for 798 yards and 4 scores.
Carter is a versatile runner, having an explosive side to him, but also bruising ability, which allows for MSU to use him in a variety of different rushing styles and he also is able to contribute in the pass game which will be key if FAU sends pressure on Chiles.
Behind him is a very talented transfer back in Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams who rushed for 1,157 yards and 12 scores before transferring to MSU this offseason. It’s expected for Carter to take the lead role, but Lynch-Adams also had 20 receptions last season and could find himself into a solid workload if the Spartans lean run-heavy.
Wide receiver isn’t the biggest strength for the Spartans, after not making too big of a splash in the transfer portal, but the unit does return Montorie Foster Jr. who was the squads leading receiver in 2023 and he is expected to play a big role, but outside of him it will be a chance for other Spartan Wrs to make a name for themself.
Foster Jr is expected to be the WR 1 and can stretch the field and move in open space at a solid ability, also having a solid catch radius. Outside of him however, this unit is largely wide-open and could see Jaron Glover, Antonio Gates Jr. and Alante Brown all compete for catches.
One name to watch for at WR is true freshman Nick Marsh, as the 4 star has been impressive since spring camp and could potentially earn snaps in game 1 for the Spartans. Marsh has the size to be a problem on the outside for the Spartans at 6’3 208, and has speed to blaze by defenders on the outside, if he gets a role in the first game it will be crucial for the Owls to keep him in check.
One of the offense’s biggest strengths is at tight end with Jack Velling coming over from Oregon State along with Aidan Chiles, after leading the nation in receiving touchdowns for a tight end last season with 8. At 6’5 245, Velling will be able to create separation with his size, but he also possesses high level athleticism and catching ability for a tight end and, will be a force over the middle for Michigan State.
Offensive line has been a problem in years past for MSU, but with Jonathan Smith at the helm that as expected to change as he had a top offensive line for the past few years at OSU, and his o-line coach Jim Michalczik comes with him from Corvallis, also bringing their starting Center Tanner Miller. It’s to-be-determined how this offensive line performs, as it’s expected to return its two starting tackles in Brandon Baldwin and Ashton Lepo, but could see an FCS transfer in Luke Newman transitioning from tackle to guard and get snaps in the interior.
It will be critical for this unit to gel in game action, as with Chiles’ ability to extend plays with his legs, the o-line will be needed to step up and extend plays for him.
Looking at the defense, the Spartans and Jonathan Smith bring over Joe Rossi from Minnesota, and his hybrid 3-4, 4-3, combination defense, which can bring a variety of fronts to confuse offenses.
The interior of this unit brings back veteran Maverick Hansen, who is in his 6th year and played in 11 games last season, he is set to Anchor this unit alongside Georgia Tech transfer D’Quan Douse who was a consistent contributor in 5 seasons at GT before transferring to MSU this past offseason.
Michigan State and Joe Rossi utilized a rush-end, which is a down lineman who can drop back into coverage or rush the passer which creates for a dynamic player off the edge. A player to watch for at this position for the Spartans is Jordan Hall, who transitioned to this position partially this past offseason, and having previously played middle linebacker, possesses above average coverage skills for a pass rusher, and combined with solid speed could create a solid player off the edge for MSU.
Over the middle at linebacker, Cal Haladay and Old Dominion transfer Wayne Matthews III combine to bring 226 tackles from last season and will be contributors in both the run stop and pass coverage game for the Spartans, in what is a major strength of this defense.
The secondary for MSU has struggled in years past, but once again Jonathan Smith hopes to change that in year one and he is helped by a few returners, including Dillon Tatum who will be sitting up at Safety this year after displaying his ball hawk abilities with 8 PBUs in 2 years.
On the outside at CB, Charles Brantley returns with 15 starts under his belt, he is joined by Chance Rucker who returns after impressing in his freshman year and Arizona State transfer Ed Woods, who was highly pursued in the portal.
Star Watch: QB Aidan Chiles
Is it a cop out to choose the QB as a player to watch, maybe, but what isn’t a cop out is saying that if you don’t watch Aidan Chiles you will be left in the dust.
Chiles will be one of the most athletic QBs FAU faces all season and also one of the top passers, and his dual threat ability is something FAU will have to try to turn one dimensional.
In his first career start, it will be crucial for Chiles to remain calm in the pocket and have a good sense of when to tuck it and run, and on that same note it will be critical for FAU to speed that up and provide pressure.
If FAU is able to limit Chiles into either a passer or a runner, that is a factor that could help turn this one into a battle.
Final Word
It’s going to be a battle for FAU in this game no doubt, but the Owls hold some advantages over MSU and in order to win they will need to capitalize.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Spartans have an inexperienced WR corps outside of Montorie Foster Jr, and with FAU’s secondary being an advantage, that could lead to the Owls limiting the pass game.
A big part of that however, will be the Owls ability to bring pressure against a Spartan offensive line that features multiple new players, which if FAU is able to capitalize on could help the DB’s in coverage and limit the MSU offense.
In terms of the defense, the Spartans secondary is also rebuilding after numerous down years. If FAU is able to find a way to stretch the field against a weaker secondary, that would help the Owls offense gain a huge leg up in this one and set up the run.
As mentioned, it will be a battle, but there are positional advantages on either side and this matchup may come down to which team’s new pieces were able to gel faster.
