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Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions vs. Indiana in Week 8

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Madre London #28 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after scoring during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Madre London #28 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after scoring during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Saturday’s Michigan State football game against Indiana will be crucial for the Spartans’ Big Ten title race. Here are some bold predictions.

Starting the Big Ten campaign 4-0 is something no Michigan State football fan thought would even be possible at this point in the 2017 season, but the Spartans are staring that record down. With a win over the 3-3 Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, the Spartans would improve to 4-0 in conference play and become bowl eligible in Week 8.

What a long way this team has come. From 3-9 and 1-8 in conference action last season to 3-0 through three conference games in 2017 and a 5-1 overall record. Getting to a bowl was the first goal for Mark Dantonio and he’s likely to accomplish that before the end of October.

Indiana won’t be an easy win, though. The Hoosiers might be 0-3 in conference play, but they have faced three of the best teams in the Big Ten: Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. Saturday’s game will tell us a lot about the Spartans.

Here are five bold predictions for Michigan State’s matchup with Indiana on Saturday.

5. Spartans will have a return touchdown

As we learned last week, freshman athlete Connor Heyward can tote the rock on kick and punt returns. He was given the return role after Laress Nelson struggled to field the ball properly against Michigan which backed the Spartans up in the field position battle.

Against Minnesota, Heyward looked strong, quick and explosive. He didn’t have that lightning-quick speed that is coveted in return men, but he was deceptively fast for how big and strong he is.

It’s been a while since Michigan State had a return touchdown, but Heyward will change that on Saturday afternoon with a kickoff returned for a score. It might even be the opening kickoff, assuming the Spartans receive the ball to start the game. Imagine the confidence that would come from it.

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