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After winning their first three games of the season, the Michigan State Spartans have fallen on hard times, dropping their last five games. As a result, the team has opted to make a change at the quarterback position as a potential last-ditch effort from Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith to potentially save his job. The five-game losing streak for Michigan State has many questioning Smith's job security in East Lansing. Smith's overall tenure with the Spartans has been far from stellar, recording just an 8-12 record over his two years at the program. Throughout Smith's time at Michigan State, junior quarterback Aiden Chiles has been the starting quarterback of the team since following Smith from his past coaching tenure at Oregon State. Chiles has been solid for the Spartans this season, throwing for 1,392 yards with ten passing touchdowns and only three interceptions. However, it seems as if Jonathan Smith is looking for answers elsewhere at the quarterback position as he looks to end the team's five-game losing streak any way he can. More news: Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard Addresses Rumors on LSU Coaching Vacancy According to Corey Robinson of On3 Sports, redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic will start at quarterback for Saturday's game against Minnesota, ending a streak of 20 consecutive starts for Chiles with the Spartans. This decision comes after Smith was named on a list of the top 10 coaches around college football on the "hot seat" by Andy Staples of On3 Sports. Clearly, Smith seems to be desperate to turn things around anyway possible, even if that means sitting their long-term starting quarterback. Despite not seeing a start thus far this season, Milivojevic has seen significant on-field action this season, relieving Chiles in five games thus far this year. For the most part, Milivojevic has been impressive, completing 59.5 percent of his passes with three passing touchdowns and one interception. More news: Ed Orgeron Doesn’t Hold Back on LSU Coaching Vacancy While Saturday's game may not be a must-win game for Smith to save his job, the remainder of the 2025 season may certainly be crucial for his future in East Lansing. So it will certainly be interesting to see whether Milivojevic can help bring a spark to a program that desperately needs it in the worst way.
