Michigan State Football vs Indiana: Preview, predictions and live stream
By Dana Becker
Michigan State football returns home from a two-game road streak carrying momentum and confidence as they welcome Indiana to East Lansing for a Week 8 Big Ten tilt.
The Spartans last played at home on Sept. 30, besting Iowa by a final of 17-10. That concluded a four-game stretch of home dates to begin the season that saw MSU go 3-1, falling only to Notre Dame.
Michigan State (5-1, 3-0) scored an upset over arch-rival Michigan back on Oct. 7, 14-10, and slipped past Minnesota last week, 30-27, to remain unbeaten in conference action.
Indiana, meanwhile, meets its fourth ranked Big Ten opponent in search of a win for the first time against such foe. The Hoosiers (3-3, 0-3) lost in their season opener to Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan. Against the Wolverines, though, Indiana showed some promise, taking the game to overtime before falling, 27-20.
This contest marks the start of a key stretch for Michigan State, as they head to Northwestern next weekend before November dates with Penn State and Ohio State that will likely help shape the conference standings as we approach December and the Big Ten championship game.
It is also important for Indiana, as the Hoosiers try to get bowl eligible with games vs. Maryland, Wisconsin, Illinois, Rutgers and Purdue on the horizon.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich
Venue: Spartan Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: ABC Live Stream
Keys to Victory
This remains a very young Michigan State team that is coming off a 3-9 season a year ago. However, the Spartans have shown they are ready to compete with the big boys of the Big Ten after wins over Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota in recent weeks. Now, they must continue to push forward and learn from their mistakes on the fly for head coach Mark Dantonio.
Dantonio will likely remind his team of the sting felt by a 20-point home loss to Notre Dame almost a month ago, keeping their focus on Indiana and not ahead to dates with Penn State and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks next month.
Brian Lewerke has become the focal point to the Spartan offense, passing for 1,177 yards with nine touchdowns. He’s also added 318 yards and three scores on the ground, with lead back LJ Scott racking up 408 yards and also three touchdowns.
Felton Davis III and Darrell Stewart Jr. are the leading receivers and should be able to test the Hoosier secondary. Davis III has 300 yards on 24 catches, with Stewart Jr. adding 237 more on 21 grabs. Hunter Rison is averaging 14-plus yards per reception.
Indiana pushed Michigan to the brink last weekend, coming up just short in overtime. The Hoosiers gave the Buckeyes a scare back in August, but were throttled by Penn State, 45-14, to close out September.
The offense is now controlled by Peyton Ramsey, who supplanted Richard Lagow as starter. Ramsey is 81-for-130 for 815 yards with seven touchdowns in the air and has another 185 yards and two scores on the ground. He provides more of a dual-threat than Lagow did under center.
Morgan Ellison, another part of the Hoosier youth movement, leads the team with 426 yards rushing, averaging five yards per carry. Simmie Cobbs Jr. will look to control the middle of the field in the passing game, as he has 37 catches for 409 yards, with Ian Thomas providing the big-play threat.
Thomas caught a 71-yard touchdown pass earlier this year and averages over 15 yards per catch.
Prediction
As long as the Spartans can avoid costly turnovers and penalties, they should be able to wear down Indiana and put together sustained drives that result in touchdowns.
Next: 25 Bold Predictions for the Top 25 - Week 8
The biggest issue for Michigan State in its loss to Notre Dame earlier this year was mistakes, as they had three first half turnovers that resulted in a 14-point swing in the direction of the Irish.
Indiana has good offensive skill players and if given the chance, the Hoosiers and head coach Tom Allen will find holes in the MSU defense.
Final Score: Michigan State 27, Indiana 17