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Michigan State Football: What challenges do Indiana Hoosiers present?

By Stephen Robb

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 21: Linebacker Byron Bullough #38 of the Michigan State Spartans makes a shirt-tail tackle on wide receiver J-Shun Harris II #5 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 21: Linebacker Byron Bullough #38 of the Michigan State Spartans makes a shirt-tail tackle on wide receiver J-Shun Harris II #5 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football takes on Indiana in Bloomington on Saturday night. How good is Indiana and should the Spartans be concerned?

Michigan State had a bye last week and Indiana took it to a Ball State team that pushed Notre Dame, who beat Michigan. How good is Indiana? They are sneaky good. If the Spartans are too careful then they could end up losing this contest. Yes, ‘too careful’ it was the conservative play-calling that led to MSU’s downfall against Arizona State, among other things.

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Indiana has given the keys to the team to sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey. He has thrown for 479 yards and tossed in five touchdowns. While not a super impressive stat line, he just makes plays and when the Hoosiers need a big play he gets it done. He had the big throws against Virginia and also adept at scrambling. He can hurt a team on third downs with his legs. The Spartans have been susceptible to this.

The Hoosiers also have freshman running back Stevie Scott who is a load at 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds. Michigan State has played the run well, but they have not faced a running back like Scott yet. If this game is close in the second half, watch for Indiana to give Scott more carries. They played a little option with Ramsey and Scott, which has worked effectively.

Michigan State has struggled against Indiana team in the past they could be ripe for an upset this week.

The Hoosiers are balanced on offense, though they’re more productive with the run than throwing the pigskin. They go no-huddle and this helps out their running game. It’s what Penn State did a few years ago to help their young offensive line. Indiana cannot slug it out in the trenches unless they go hurry-up.

MSU has struggled at getting pressure and this game may be no different. Indiana will likely throw slants and then take some big shots down the field.

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Prediction: I don’t like this matchup this early in the year. While MSU is favored by four points, I can see them losing this game late. There are multiple problems on offense and defense for MSU and Indiana is the type of team that can expose them like they did last year until MSU rallied in the fourth.

Final: Michigan State 23, Indiana 28

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