Michigan State vs. Florida Atlantic score today: Live updates ...

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Michigan State football schedule for the 2024 season

A look at Michigan State's schedule for the 2024 season, Jonathan Smith's first as Spartans head coach.

Michigan State football has returned.

The Spartans are entering a new era under first-year head coach Jonathan Smith looking to turn around the program with a brand-new roster, after back-to-back disappointing seasons that ended with no bowl appearance under fired coach Mel Tucker.

The game was slightly delayed to 7:10 p.m. because of a severe thunderstorm watch in the area, but the weather is clear enough for kickoff.

MSU has a new-look roster headlined by transfer sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles. He followed Smith and offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren from Oregon State. MSU has 61 players who were not on the season-opening roster last year, including 24 transfers.

The game kicks airs on Big Ten Network and can be streamed on Fubo (free trial). Michigan State is a 13½-point favorite according to BetMGM.

Watch Michigan State vs. Florida Atlantic on Fubo (free trial)

Check out the live updates from MSU vs. FAU in the season opener below.

Michigan State vs. Florida Atlantic live updates, highlights

Well... that is one way to start the new era of MSU football.

MSU received the ball first and aired it out on the first play. Chiles rolled left and launched a deep pass to Montorie Foster Jr. on the right sideline, but he bobbled the ball and FAU cornerback Kahzir Brown hauled it in while dragging his left foot before going out of bounds. It was originally ruled incomplete, but officials overturned the call after review, giving FAU the ball at their own 46.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for three counties in the Lansing area, including Ingham County. The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. The National Weather Service said isolated hail up to ping-pong-ball-size and wind gusts up to 70 mph are possible with the potential for a tornado to form.

The skies above Spartan Stadium are gray with occasional lightning strikes near the stadium. According to the Lansing State Journal, officials delayed the opening of the gates until 6:30 and MSU police have asked fans in the area to shelter in a car or shelter locations at Wells Hall, Old Horticulture, Natural Science, Bessey Hall, Engineering Building and the Auditorium.

Michigan State vs. FAU time today

• Date: Friday, Aug. 30.
• Where: Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
• Time: 7 p.m. ET. (delayed due to weather).

What channel is Michigan State vs. FAU game on today?

• TV channel: Big Ten Network.
• Streaming live: Fubo (free trial)
• Radio: WJR-AM (760) in Detroit.

MSU vs. FAU will be broadcast on Big Ten Network. Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play) and Brock Vereen (analyst) will call the game from the booth in East Lansing, with Dannie Rogers reporting from the Spartan Stadium sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Michigan State vs. Florida Atlantic pregame: What you need to know

Given the turnover on the coaching staff and roster, there is plenty of intrigue about what Michigan State will look like. Smith orchestrated a turnaround at Oregon State, though it took a few years, and turned the Beavers into a top team in the old Pac-12 with a balanced offensive attack and solid defense.

He will try to follow the same blueprint in East Lansing to find success in the expanded Big Ten.

On offense, the Spartans could have up to eight new starters headlined by Chiles under center. The faces on the line of scrimmage will be almost entirely new, with four new starters on the O-line and a new tight end in Jack Velling, who also transferred from the Beavers. Leading rusher Nate Carter returns to the backfield, while Montorie Foster Jr., Jaron Glover, and Alante Brown return at receiver, with four-star freshman Nick Marsh (River Rouge).

Maverick Hansen and Khris Bogle are the two returning starters on the defensive line and will be joined by new starters, whether it is defensive end Jalen Thompson or a transfer like Quindarius Dunnigan. The back seven is mostly returning players like Cal Haladay and Dillon Tatum to give new defensive coordinator Joe Rossi experience to work with.

Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press covering the city's professional teams, the state's two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22, and email him at jramsey@freepress.com.

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