Michigan State benches Aidan Chiles, redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic to start at QB

Michigan State is making a change under center. The Spartans have decided to bench Aidan Chiles and start redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic at quarterback against Minnesota, per the pregame radio broadcast.

After starting the season 3-0, Michigan State has lost five consecutive games. Worse, they haven’t looked particularly competitive against Big Ten competition thus far. With four games remaining in the season, Jonathan Smith has decided it’s time for a new starter.

To his credit, Milivojevic has done well in limited opportunities. He’s completed 22 of 37 pass attempts for 281 yards, three touchdowns and one pick in 2025. Additionally, the quarterback has run for a touchdown in his time on the field, as well.

Even if he hasn’t been starting, Milivojevic has been earning the respect of his peers: “I really have a great deal of respect for the way he works and goes about his process on a weekly basis,” MSU offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren earlier in October regarding Milivojevic, via Tyler Gaylord of The State News. “He’s been awesome that way.”

Center Matt Gulbin heaped praise on the quarterback as well: “I really like Alessio,” he said earlier this week, per Gaylord. “He takes control of the huddle, gets the call out, he’s decisive with it. I think he’s grown a lot since I’ve been here and he does a good job.”

As for Chiles, it remains to be seen what’s next for him, and when his next opportunity will come now that he’s been benched. He’s completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,392 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions this season, averaging 174 yards passing per game.

Michigan State and Minnesota both need wins, but only one will be able to celebrate at the end of Week 10. We’ll see if Milivojevic is the answer, or if the Spartans continue to look for answers in a lost season.