Michigan State vs. USC Availability Report: WR Nick Marsh, RB Makhi Frazier good to go
Michigan State starting wide receiver Nick Marsh and starting running back Makhi Frazier are expected to play for the Spartans, but several other players are out for MSU and USC.
Ahead of Saturday's late-night matchup between Michigan State and USC (11 p.m. Eastern Time/8 p.m. Pacific Time on FOX) in Los Angeles, both programs released availability reports.
As expected, both Michigan State starting sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh and starting sophomore running back Makhi Frazier are available to play against the Trojans. Each player left the game in the victory over Youngstown State last week. On Friday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Marsh and Frazier would be able to play on Saturday. Sources tell Spartans Illustrated that both players are close to full health and are not expected to play with any sort of restrictions.
Marsh leads the Spartans in receptions (16), receiving yards (194) and receiving touchdowns (three). Frazier leads MSU in rushing attempts (43), rushing yards (206) and is tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns with two.
Meanwhile, as expected, Michigan State will be without redshirt junior offensive guard Luka Vincic on Saturday and beyond. Vincic started the game at right guard versus Youngstown State last week, but suffered a significant lower-body injury against the Penguins. Earlier in the week, MSU head coach Jonathan Smith mentioned that is likely Vincic will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. On Saturday, a MSU spokesperson confirmed that Vincic's season is over.
In addition to Vincic, sophomore defensive back Andrew Brinson and redshirt sophomore defensive back Caleb Gash are expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season as well. Brinson's season-ending wrist injury was originally reported by Spartans Illustrated, while a Michigan State spokesperson confirmed last week that both Brinson and Gash will miss the campaign.
Also, unsurprisingly, the Spartans will be without veteran wide receiver and kick returner Alante Brown on Saturday, and likely longer. The sixth-year senior suffered a lower-body injury during pregame warmups ahead of the game versus the Penguins last week. Smith said that Brown's injury is expected to be "long term," but the exact timeline was not specified.
A newcomer to this week's availability report is redshirt freshman linebacker Brady Pretzlaff. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore kicker Tarik Ahmetbasic, redshirt senior defensive tackle Jalen Satchell and redshirt senior long snapper Kaden Schickel are yet to play this season.
As for USC, the Trojans will be without sophomore wide receiver Zacharyus Williams, redshirt senior cornerback Prophet Brown, sophomore running back Bryan Jackson, sophomore cornerback Chasen Johnson (out for season), true freshman cornerback Alex Graham (Michigan native) and sophomore kicker Caden Chittenden. Additionally, junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane is listed as questionable.
