MSU vs. Central Michigan 2023 Season Opener

EAST LANSING, MI – The No. 22 Michigan State Spartans are set to kick off their 2023 college football season at home, hosting in-state rival Central Michigan on Friday, September 1st, at Spartan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will be broadcast nationally on FS1, with radio coverage available through the Spartan Media Network.

This season opener holds significant weight for both programs, each looking to rebound from challenging 2022 campaigns. Michigan State finished last year with a disappointing 5-7 record, missing out on a bowl berth, while Central Michigan concluded its season at 4-8.

For Head Coach Mel Tucker’s Spartans, eyes will be fixed on the quarterback position, where sophomore Katin Houser and redshirt junior Noah Kim have been locked in a fierce competition throughout fall camp for the starting job. The decision, expected to be revealed closer to game day, will dictate much of the team’s offensive philosophy moving forward.

Michigan State will also showcase several key additions via the transfer portal, aimed at bolstering depth and immediate impact. Wide receiver Alante Brown (Nebraska), linebacker Aaron Alexander (UMass), and defensive lineman Jarrett Jackson (Florida State) are among the new faces expected to contribute significantly. Adding to the optimism are the returns of key players from injury, including dynamic running back Nathan Carter and versatile defensive lineman Jacoby Windmon, both of whom are anticipated to play pivotal roles.

Tucker, entering his fourth season at the helm in East Lansing, faces heightened expectations. Following an 11-2 breakthrough in 2021 that culminated in a Peach Bowl victory, he signed a landmark $95 million, 10-year contract extension in November 2021. The subsequent dip in performance last year has placed a renewed focus on a strong start for a program projected fourth in the competitive Big Ten East by media polls.

Across the field, Head Coach Jim McElwain, in his fifth season with the Chippewas, is aiming to inject new energy into Central Michigan’s offense. The Chippewas will feature new starting quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., a sophomore who showed glimpses of his dual-threat capabilities in four appearances last season, rushing for an impressive 323 yards. His ascension comes after previous starter Daniel Richardson transferred to Florida A&M.

Emanuel Jr. will be supported by a core of returning talent, including running back Myles Bailey, wide receiver Jesse Rivera, linebacker Kyle Gellis, and defensive back Donte Kent, who will look to challenge the Spartans’ defense. Central Michigan is projected to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference West Division.

This Friday night clash renews an in-state rivalry where Michigan State holds a significant 8-3 all-time advantage over Central Michigan. The last meeting was in 2018, a 31-20 MSU victory. While the Spartans have historically dominated the series, the Chippewas have proven capable of challenging their Power 5 neighbors, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this early-season contest for state bragging rights.

For Michigan State, the game presents an opportunity to set a positive tone for a season of redemption, with the performance of its new quarterback a primary focus. Central Michigan, meanwhile, aims to capitalize on Emanuel Jr.’s explosive potential and spring an early-season upset, injecting excitement into their own campaign.