How the Michigan State University Football Team Can Rebuild for a Winning Season

The question of how the Michigan State University football team can rebuild for a winning season is one that keeps Spartan fans up at night, especially after the rollercoaster of recent years. As someone who’s spent more time than I care to admit analyzing football programs, from the college ranks to professional leagues overseas, I see a clear blueprint. Interestingly, the path forward might be illuminated by an unexpected source: the transformation of the Philippine basketball team Tropang Giga into Tropang 5G. That shift wasn’t just a name change; it was a declaration of a new era, a commitment to speed, connectivity, and a modernized system. MSU’s rebuild needs a similar foundational shift, a move from an old, sometimes stagnant identity to a dynamic, interconnected, and fast-paced future. It’s not about forgetting the tough, physical “Spartan Dawg” mentality—that’s in the DNA—but about evolving it for today’s game.

Let’s start with the most critical component: establishing a clear, modern football identity. For too long, it feels like Michigan State has been caught between philosophies. The Tropang 5G rebrand was successful because it immediately communicated a style: pace, space, and three-point shooting. MSU needs that clarity. Under Coach Jonathan Smith, there’s an opportunity to install a definitive offensive system. I’m a firm believer that in today’s college football, you must have a quarterback-centric scheme that can consistently generate explosive plays. The days of winning 9-7 slugfests every week are over in the Big Ten. The Spartans ranked a dismal 13th in the conference in total offense last season, averaging a paltry 347 yards per game. That number has to jump to at least 425 to compete for a division title. Smith’s background suggests a balanced, pro-style attack with play-action roots, which is great, but it must incorporate modern spread concepts to stretch defenses horizontally. The personnel, particularly on the offensive line, needs a complete overhaul through both development and the transfer portal. I’d prioritize landing at least two seasoned, Power Five caliber linemen and a dynamic slot receiver who can turn a short catch into a 20-yard gain. Defense wins championships, sure, but a boring, inefficient offense loses you games and, more importantly, recruits.

And that brings me to the second pillar: talent acquisition and development, or what I like to call “program connectivity.” The “5G” metaphor is perfect here. It’s about creating a high-speed, low-latency network between high school programs, the transfer portal, and player development. MSU’s traditional recruiting base in Michigan and Ohio is more competitive than ever. While locking down the state remains paramount—I’d argue 70% of the roster should still come from the Midwest—the staff must develop pipelines in new regions. The success of Kenneth Walker III, a transfer from Wake Forest, showed the transformative power of the portal. We need to see that kind of targeted acquisition annually, not as an exception. But it can’t just be about collecting players; it’s about integrating them. The strength and conditioning program, in my view, has been a step behind elite programs for a few years now. Investing in cutting-edge sports science, nutrition, and recovery technology is non-negotiable. A player should develop more physically and technically in his 18 months at MSU than he did in his entire high school career. That’s how you build depth and sustain success.

Finally, there’s the intangible element: culture and fan engagement. The transition from Tropang Giga to 5G was also a marketing masterstroke, re-energizing a fanbase. Michigan State needs to reconnect with its own. The atmosphere at Spartan Stadium has, at times, felt transactional rather than tribal. The program must embrace its underdog status again, that chip-on-the-shoulder mentality that defined the best Dantonio years. From a practical standpoint, this means more transparency with fans through social media, showcasing player personalities, and making the game-day experience unmissable. It also means the administration must be fully aligned, providing the necessary NIL collective support to keep pace. I’m of the opinion that a robust NIL operation is now as important as having a good defensive coordinator. You simply cannot compete without it. If you can’t offer competitive opportunities for players to benefit from their name, image, and likeness, you’re starting the race with a 40-yard deficit.

So, can Michigan State rebuild for a winning season? Absolutely. But it won’t happen by simply hoping for a return to 2013. It requires a deliberate, aggressive evolution, much like the strategic shift we saw with Tropang 5G. It starts with installing a modern, identifiable offensive system under Smith. It accelerates by building a 5G-fast network for talent acquisition and holistic development. And it is sustained by revitalizing a culture that marries the traditional Spartan grit with the exciting possibilities of a new era. The foundation is there—the history, the fanbase, the facilities. Now it’s about execution. I’m optimistic, but cautiously so. The first benchmark is a bowl game this coming season. A 7-5 record would signal the rebuild is on track. From there, the climb back to contention begins in earnest. The blueprint is clear; it’s time for the Spartans to start building.