DawgmanRadio: Getting to know Michigan State with Spartan Tailgate's Stephen Brooks

Dawgman.com's Kim Grinolds spoke this week with Stephen Brooks, the beat writer from Spartan Tailgate, the 247Sports' site covering Michigan State athletics, and Stephen was nice enough to offer some insight into what Washington fans should expect to see from the Spartans this upcoming Saturday in East Lansing, Mich.

Starting with setting the scene, Kim and Stephen talk a little about Michigan State and the last time UW played back at Spartan Stadium in 2023 and the mood around the program when Pat Fitzgerald was named the head coach ahead of the 2026 season. Stephen also offers up some insight into the Spartans' up-and-down season, which has culminated so far in an upset victory over in-state rivals Michigan this past weekend.

Then they get into the matchup of Michigan State's offense versus Washington's defense. Stephen talked about the key contributors on that side of the ball for the Spartans, as well as what has held them back on offense this season.

There's also a connection there as Michigan State's OC is Nick Sheridan, who was Washington's TE Coach under Kalen DeBoer, and Stephen talks about what he's done so far in East Lansing.

They switch sides and Stephen talks about the defensive standouts that the Spartans will count on to try and stop Demond Williams and the UW offense. It's a group that Stephen says has 'outplayed expectations'.

And if the Spartans have a chance at a field goal to win it all, how confident is Stephen that Michigan State will come away with the victory?

To finish the preview, Stephen talks about the game day atmosphere and the crowd that is expected for a classic Big Ten game played in Michigan in November.