Just a couple of years ago, Michigan State hit the reset button. Mel Tucker was out, Jonathan Smith was in, and optimism filled East Lansing. Fans were ready to turn the page and believe again.

But there was one problem — Michigan State didn’t have a quarterback who could make them an instant contender.

Enter Aidan Chiles, the talented young QB who followed Smith from Oregon State. Smith promised a player with elite upside — athleticism, a live arm, and the poise to lead the Spartans into a new era.

A season and a half later, it’s fair to say we’ve seen enough to know the ceiling might not be what was advertised. Maybe it’s time to stop clinging to the past and start looking toward the future — namely, redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic.

Chiles has shown flashes against lower-tier opponents, but he’s struggled when the lights are brightest. His Big Ten performances have been inconsistent at best, and last week’s rivalry loss to Michigan may have been the breaking point.

Chiles looked completely overwhelmed — like a freshman thrust into varsity action. He failed to convert a crucial QB sneak, fumbled on a key drive, and finished just 14-for-28 for 130 yards. And while Michigan’s defense is solid, it’s not legendary. The offense sputtered until Smith finally turned to Milivojevic, who promptly went 6-for-7 for 70 yards and a touchdown on the game’s final drive.

It’s clear Michigan State needs change — both at quarterback and on the sidelines. But since a coaching change midseason isn’t likely, the QB position is where that change has to start.

Milivojevic’s sample size is small, but he’s shown composure and touch when given a chance. His lone poor outing came against UCLA after Chiles was injured, but the game was already out of reach.

A redshirt freshman from Naperville, Illinois, Milivojevic was one of the top quarterback prospects in the state. As a senior at St. Francis High School, he completed 73% of his passes for 3,408 yards and 40 touchdowns, adding another nine scores on the ground. He was ranked among the top quarterbacks in the 2024 class by every major recruiting service.

The Spartans’ season — once 3-0 and full of promise — has unraveled quickly. Four games remain, all technically winnable, though it’s hard to see more than one likely victory. That’s exactly why Michigan State should start looking ahead.

We know what Aidan Chiles brings to the table. It’s time to find out what Alessio Milivojevic can do.

Sometimes the hardest decision is also the right one.