3 issues we discovered: Michigan State soccer tweaks journey for Big Ten opener

EAST LANSING – Michigan State’s highway opener isn’t a brief journey.

The Spartans (3-0) will kick off Big Ten play at No. 25 USC (3-0, 1-0) on Saturday (11 p.m. ET, FOX) making an attempt to increase their unbeaten begin.

Here are three issues we discovered about Michigan State from coach Jonathan Smith’s press convention on Monday afternoon:

1. Travel tweaks

Year two of the expanded Big Ten means one other West Coast journey for the Spartans and there can be modifications to their journey plans. It was already going to be totally different after dropping 31-10 at Oregon on a Friday evening final 12 months however extra tweaks are coming.

“We definitely learned from year one,” Smith stated. “Last year’s trip was quite different just because it was a short week.”

Michigan State sometimes arrives a day early earlier than a regular-season highway recreation however will head to Los Angeles on Thursday. That resolution was made earlier than the Big Ten final week introduced the sport could be an 11 p.m. begin Eastern time.

“Go out Thursday, try to adjust for a day time zone wise,” Smith stated. “The routine of what we do on Friday and Saturday is going to be pretty similar to what we do, we’re just going to start a little bit later, let them sleep in on those two nights and see where it goes.”

Smith and beginning quarterback Aidan Chiles are each Southern California natives heading house this week. Others can be venturing to the West Coast for the primary time in order that can be factored into the journey.

“I think a lot of this roster maybe – I say maybe, I didn’t take roll on this but hasn’t seen the Pacific Ocean,” Smith stated. “Where we’re staying, we’re landing at LAX, we’re going to take call it a half hour and be able to see the Pacific Ocean. I do think a longer flight, to spend a little time moving around, we’re going to take that opportunity on Thursday.”

Flying throughout the nation for a cool kickoff time is a state of affairs all the Big Ten remains to be determining and Smith acquired suggestions from how different groups have dealt with it. The Spartans have plans adjusting to the time change, hydration and sleep however he expects the gamers to be juiced for a recreation in opposition to a ranked staff at a historic venue.

“The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has been around a while – the Olympics, Jackie Robinson, the Dodgers were playing there,” Smith stated. “It’s a cool venue so I think that all adds to the excitement of that game.”

2. Preparing for potent opponent

USC, underneath fourth-year coach Lincoln Riley, ranks first within the nation in complete offense (604.0) and is second in scoring (55.0) following final week’s 33-17 win at Purdue. There’s additionally steadiness with the Trojans rating within the high 20 in each speeding and passing.

“You can talk about all three phases for this group,” Smith stated. “They challenge you in a lot of ways. Offensively, it’s well noted statistically where they’re at, how many points they’re scoring, the quarterback can make all the throws. Coach Riley, in regards to his scheme, makes it tough.”

Quarterback Jayden Maiava, a former UNLV switch, has accomplished 68.5 p.c of his passes (48-for-70) for 989 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions to go along with two speeding scores. Jordan Waymond is averaging 95.3 yards per recreation on the bottom with a trio of touchdowns and Makai Lemon leads the staff with 16 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns.

“The quarterback is throwing it to a couple good players that challenge you vertically in space, tough to tackle,” Smith stated. “They can run the ball. The backs that are carrying the thing get downhill and are physical so that is a potent offense that will present challenges.”

USC hasn’t been as dominant on the opposite facet of the ball however ranks twenty second within the nation in speeding protection and is second in each sacks (4.67) and tackles for a loss (10.3) per recreation. Michigan State’s run recreation took a step again final week and Chiles was sacked eight occasions within the first two video games mixed.

“I do think defensively these guys are salty, they’ve gotten in the backfield a lot,” Smith stated. “It starts with their front seven and that’s just not seven guys. They do a nice job especially at D line rotating, you’re getting multiple groups in there. … They’ve got some depth and have created some real, real havoc of tackling in the backfield, sacks, so they present challenges that way.”

3. Depleted lineup heading West

Michigan State had harm issues heading into final week they usually have been compounded in a 41-24 win in opposition to Youngstown State. Smith on Monday stated beginning proper guard Luka Vincic and receiver/kickoff returner Alante Brown each suffered long-term decrease physique accidents. Additionally, star receiver Nick Marsh and main rusher Makhi Frazier are questionable for the sport at USC.

“Both Nick Marsh and Makhi Frazier, we’ll kind of see what it looks like at the end of the week,” Smith stated, “but those two are not anywhere near the other two in regards to the amount of time.”

Vincic missed the opener earlier than becoming a member of an offensive line rotation that went eight deep in Week 2 then beginning in opposition to the Penguins. He obtained rolled up on from behind by a defender and appeared to injure his left knee, was helped to the sideline then carted off. Brown, who was coming of the largest efficiency of his injury-plagued three years with the Spartans, was injured throughout pregame warmups.

They’re all vital losses and even the shorter-term setbacks would end in a less-threating lineup. Marsh is the highest playmaker to pair with Chiles whereas Frazier is the chief of a largely untested backfield. Marsh appeared to undergo a leg harm within the first half in opposition to Youngstown State and didn’t return whereas Frazier was injured within the fourth quarter and sporting a boot on the sideline. Whether they will play on Saturday received’t be fully depending on their availability in follow this week.

“It’s really each individual basis on deciding on that,” Smith stated. “I’m good if Nick Marsh, he takes a limited week but if he’s cleared to go and play, you’ll probably see him out there.”