Michigan State football at this time last year was coming off an 11-2 season, capped off with a comeback win against Pittsburgh in the Peach Bowl.
The Spartans had their starting quarterback and two best receivers returning from an offense that was cooking by the end of the 2021 season. Momentum was high.
The landscape has completely changed as MSU enters the 2023 season.
Two-year starting quarterback Payton Thorne announced this offseason he was transferring to Auburn, leaving the Spartans without a clear starter at the most important position. Shortly after, MSU's best player at the time, Keon Coleman, eventually announced he was transferring as well, settling at Florida State.