Spartan Savants

With head football coach Jonathan Smith firmly on the hot seat, does Michigan State have any shot at upsetting No.3 Indiana? How do the situations of other failing coaches across the country impact the Spartans? What does MSU need to return to relevance in the Big Ten?

The Spartan Savants discuss.

The Spartan Savants briefly discuss a disastrous performance against UCLA and weigh in on the state of the MSU Football program. Have we seen enough of Jonathan Smith to call for another coaching change?

Trav and Willy take a look at Michigan State's upcoming game against UCLA as the Spartans try to earn their first Big Ten win of the 2025 college football season. Plus, some high praise for Aidan Chiles from ESPN, who should be at the top of next month's College Football Playoff rankings, and our weekly game picks.

0:54 Brief Dive into Detroit Tigers playoff land
2:43 Michigan State vs. UCLA Game Preview: Win No Longer Guaranteed
18:35 ESPN's Early October College QB Rankings
23:40 Who deserves to be the top teams in the College Football Playoff rankings?
25:39 Week 7 College Football Picks

Willy and Trav discuss Saturday's loss to Nebraska. What does it mean for Jonathan Smith and the Michigan State football program? What issues are they facing and can they be fixed?

Nicky, Willy, and Trav are joined by Matt Owens of the Common Fan Podcast as they preview this week's football game between Michigan State (3-1) and Nebraska. The guys talk about the game from both sides before announcing our newest "Savant of the Week" and making our weekly picks.

 0:33 Michigan State vs. Nebraska Preview w/ Matt Owens of the Common Fan Podcast
32:59 Additional Thoughts from the MSU Perspective
40:00 Savant of the Week
42:01 College Football Week 6 Picks

The Spartan Savants discuss the season's first loss, expectations for the season going into the bye week, and the state of the football program. Plus, Savant of the Week and our weekly picks.

1:29 Michigan State loses road game to USC
15:36 What should we expect from the Spartans going forward?
20:08 How are we feeling about Jonathan Smith?
33:05 Savant of the Week
34:34 Week 5 College Football Picks

The Spartan Savants recap a win over Youngstown State, preview a challenging Big Ten opener on the road against No. 25 USC, and weigh in on the Jonathan Smith to UCLA talk.

1:27 Michigan State vs. Youngstown State Recap
16:23 Jonathan Smith to UCLA
25:47 Michigan State vs. USC Football Preview
41:30 Resetting Expectations Before Conference Play
45:03 Savant of the Week
46:06 Week 4 College Football Picks

Willy, Nicky, and Trav discuss Michigan State's statement overtime win against Boston College, the upcoming nonconference matchup with Youngstown State, an unusual kickoff time for the Big Ten opener against USC, and our thoughts and expectations for the MSU football team moving forward. Plus, some Detroit Lions talk and our Week 3 picks.

1:57 Aidan Chiles Leads MSU Past BC
4:51 Michigan State vs Boston College: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
20:55 Reassessing Expectations after two weeks of football
22:22 Aidan Chiles's Growth 25:19 11 PM ET kickoff? Really?
26:45 Michigan State vs. Youngstown State: A Final Tune-Up
34:00 Savant of the Week
37:36 Detroit Lions Concern Levels
42:18 Week 3 Picks

The Spartan Savants are back for Week 2 of the college football season. This week, we give our thoughts on the season-opening win over Western Michigan and why this week's game against Boston College is a "must-win."

2:00 Michigan State-Western Michigan Recap
9:34 The Good
14:06 The Bad
 19:13 The Ugly
23:44 Week 1 Grades
26:56 A Must-Win
29:18 Michigan State vs Boston College Preview
47:40 Savant of the Week
44:25 Week 2 College Football Picks (and Detroit Lions)

The Spartan Savants give some bold predictions for the MSU football season, predict conference champions and Heisman Trophy contenders throughout the country, and dive into the Spartans' Friday-night season opener against Western Michigan. Plus, more game picks and the newest "Savant of the Week."

3:27 MSU Bold Predictions and Record
5:25 Conference Champion & Heisman Predictions, Dark Horses
19:09 Michigan State - Western Michigan Preview
41:57 CFB Week 1 Picks
56:38 Savant of the Week