Michigan State vs. Indiana Prediction, Game Preview

Michigan State vs. Indiana prediction and game preview. Projecting the winner of Saturday’s Big Ten matchup between the Spartans and Hoosiers.

Michigan State vs. Indiana Game Preview

When: Saturday, Oct. 1 – 8 p.m. ET
Where: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.
TV Broadcast: Big Ten Network

Michigan State now faces an uphill battle in the Big Ten race, and it’ll be even worse if they stumble Saturday night. The Spartans were embarrassed on their home field last week, falling 30-6 to Wisconsin and scoring their fewest points in a conference home game since 1985. The secondary allowed numerous completions in third-and-long situations, and that could pose a problem against the Hoosiers.

Richard Lagow threw for a school-record 496 yards last week against Wake Forest, 208 of them coming via eight completions to Ricky Jones. The problem? Lagow also threw five interceptions and Indiana lost, 33-28, to drop to 2-1.

What to Know About Michigan State

The Spartans will need better play from quarterback Tyler O’Connor. He was a half-second late on most throws against Wisconsin and tossed three picks while being sacked four times, with the majority of those sacks coming because he held onto the ball too long.

Michigan State also needs to get the ground game going again. The Spartans had 260 yards on the ground in the win over Notre Dame, but finished with just 75 against the Badgers. LJ Scott’s fumble with the Spartans driving for the tying score was returned for a touchdown that gave Wisconsin all the momentum it would need.

What to Know About Indiana

Lagow’s 47 pass attempts last week were 20 more than he had in each of his first two games, when he combined for four touchdowns and didn’t throw a pick. The Spartans’ secondary has been vulnerable, but the Hoosiers still might want to cut his volume of throws considering all the mistakes he made against Wake Forest.

Devine Redding is a dangerous running back and should see more carries than the 16 he got last week. He combined for 245 yards in his first two games.

Advantages

Offense: Michigan State – O’Connor should look Donnie Corley’s way more often this week.

Defense: Michigan State – The secondary has had its issues but the Spartans are solid up front and in the middle.

Special Teams: Michigan State – Indiana kicker Griffin Oakes has missed twice inside 40 yards.

Coaching: Michigan State – Dantonio is one of the best in the business.

Intangibles: Indiana – The Hoosiers knew what they were doing when they scheduled this game at night. Michigan State likely won’t have an easy time winning its eighth straight meeting in the series.

Matchup To Watch

Lagow vs. Michigan State’s secondary

The Spartans’ defensive backs used to call the secondary the “No Fly Zone.” That’s certainly not the case anymore with teams finding it relatively easy to pick it apart. Lagow is going to let loose, Michigan State needs to be prepared to stop him.

Betting Odds

Spread: Michigan State -8.5
Over/Under: No line