Michigan State vs. Indiana Prediction, Game Preview

Can Michigan State (7-0) refocus after one of the most stunning finishes in college football history? There’s no chance to relax against an Indiana (4-3) offense that ripped up Rutgers last week, but comes in on a three game losing streak. Check out the Michigan State vs. Indiana prediction and preview.

Indiana vs. Michigan State Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Game Time: 3:30 pm
Venue: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
Network: ABC/ESPN2

Follow, Contact @PeteFiutak

Why You Need To Care

Indiana knows how to make things interesting. They might not be consistent, and they might have been blown away last year by the Spartans, but with QB Nate Sudfeld back at the helm – and sort of healthy – the offense has the upside and ability to potentially pull off the major upset. The defense isn’t going to slow down the Spartans if they have their heads on straight, but the attack is good enough to keep the pace. With Iowa and Michigan up next, it’s not going to get any easier for IU, but Maryland and Purdue are winnable games at the end of the regular season to get bowling.

Michigan State might be unbeaten, but it’s about as shaky an unbeaten as it gets, struggling to get by Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers, and last week, of course, against Michigan. Is this a really good team that’s improving as the season goes on, or is this a flaky squad way overdue to get tagged? This is a dangerous trap game before going to Nebraska on the road, and there’s still the Ohio State showdown coming a month from now, but simply getting past the Hoosiers this week will be good enough – survive and advance.

Why Indiana Will Win

The Indiana passing game has its guy back. With Nate Sudfeld, the Hoosiers were cranking up at least 200 passing yards per game without a problem. With runner Zander Diamont under center, the offense changed around and didn’t have the pop. IU should be able to push around a mediocre – by its standards – Michigan State secondary that’ll have to get used to all the midrange plays that end up rolling for decent yards after the catch. With this offense, IU can keep up any pace, and it can come back If it gets down and MSU takes the second half off – which it’s been doing more often than not in games against the mediocre.

Why Michigan State Will Win

Connor Cook, let’s rock. The Indiana defense is getting ripped to shreds by anyone who can throw, allowing 245 yards or more per game and getting destroyed by Rutgers last week for 386 yards and three scores. In a game like this, Michigan State will go back to the normal plan of running reasonably well, relying on the defense, and using Cook to make the third down throws – but it’ll be too tempting not to bomb away. In his two games against the Hoosiers, Cook completed 73% of his throws for 567 yards and five scores with two picks. Expect him to come up with yet another big day, especially working with …

Player Who Matters

Aaron Bubridge caught 29 passes for 358 yards and a score last year as a steady producer good for two catches a game – and that was sort of the norm for his career coming up with 29 grabs as a freshman and 22 as a sophomore. Over the last two games against Rutgers and Michigan, the veteran has 19 catches for 288 yards, making it 44 catches on the year for 702 yards and four scores. Connor Cook’s No. 1 target, the 6-1, 208-pounder is able to get deep, and he’s able to battle, fighting all game long against Jourdan Lewis in the win over the Wolverines. Considering Rutgers star WR Leonte Carroo caught seven passes for 157 yards and three scores last week against IU, Burbridge should have a nice day.

What’s Going To Happen?

Michigan State is going to sweat. It’s not going to need a dropped punt snap to get out alive, but it’ll be pushed a bit by the Indiana passing game in what should be a fun battle for about three quarters. Connor Cook will come up with two key scoring drives and everyone will calm down, but MSU has to be careful.