In Week 7 the UCLA Bruins will hit the road to face the Michigan State Spartans for their first Big Ten meeting on the football field. Both teams are hoping to build from a below .500 season in 2024.
New UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava should be able to lead the Bruins to some success against the Spartans’ defense that had the fourth-worst scoring defense in the Big Ten in 2024, allowing 26.1 points per game.
The 2024 Spartans’ defense didn’t have any glaring weaknesses, ranking in the bottom half in terms of rushing and passing yards allowed. The issue was that the Michigan State defense just didn’t make many splash plays last year, finishing with the third-fewest sacks, tied for second-fewest fumbles forced and were tied for the fifth-fewest interceptions in the Big Ten. Without turnovers and sacks, it’ll be a challenge for the Spartans to have a better defense in 2025.
Michigan State didn’t bring in a ton of new faces through the transfer portal but made a few additions to their secondary. Between those new DBs and Spartans returning from injuries, the unit could see a step in the right direction this season, especially because they won’t be seeing Ohio State or Oregon during the regular season.
Spartans’ defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is entering his second season with the program but he had Big Ten experience prior to joining Michigan State, with Rossi coaching the Minnesota defense from 2018-2023. Rossi will be tasked with helping the Spartans’ collection of players into a solid defensive unit in 2025.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Michigan State will need a bounce-back performance in Year 2 under DC Joe Rossi
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
