Michigan State Prepares for UCLA After Bruins' Upset Over Penn State

Michigan State football, led by head coach Jonathan Smith, faces UCLA at home this weekend looking to recover from two consecutive losses, including a recent 38-27 defeat to Nebraska. Smith, who has a 2-0 coaching record against UCLA from his tenure at Oregon State, acknowledges the challenge as UCLA, under interim coach Tim Skipper, is energized after an upset victory over No. 6 Penn State, marking their first win of the season. The Bruins, previously winless and having undergone significant coaching changes, have gained momentum with quarterback Nico Iamaleava's standout performance, contributing five touchdowns in their upset. Michigan State aims to capitalize on their homecoming game advantage while preparing for a motivated UCLA squad that looks to avoid being a "one-hit wonder." Both teams come into the game with contrasting recent fortunes, making Saturday's noon kickoff a pivotal moment for the Spartans’ season trajectory. Smith's familiarity with UCLA and respect for their recent surge frames the anticipation for a competitive matchup at Spartan Stadium.