If we look back at MSU history- we have had some instances of the back-up QB indeed being better-
Relf > Tyson Lee
Lee > Carroll
Carroll > Henig
not gonna even start on Madkin vs Fant
Sleepy > Tony Shell
Don Smith ended up being better than Bond- but Bond as a Sr > Smith as a Fr
There is actually quite a bit of precedent for the back-up QB being the better option at State