While 12 other Big Ten teams took the field on Saturday, Jonathan Smith and Michigan State football were taking advantage of the bye week, doing some 2027 class recruiting.
The Spartans got a week off after losing on the road to No. 25 USC, and right before a road battle with Nebraska. It feels like the perfect time for a bye, coming right after a loss and right before a huge road battle. An extra week to prepare for a tough, but winnable, battle will help this team.
Michigan State coaches were reaching out to recruits with that extra time off, and the staff offered an intriguing 2027 "athlete" recruit from Illinois.