Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will beat Indiana in Week 4

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans drops back to pass during the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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BLOOMINGTON, IN – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Bryce Perkins #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers runs the ball downfield during the first quarter of the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

4. Indiana’s run defense is porous

While Michigan State has an elite run defense, the Hoosiers have one that’s, well, not nearly as elite. In fact, Michigan State allowed about 150 yards less on the ground, per game, than the Hoosiers and they have faced FIU, Virginia and Ball State — not exactly elite ground attacks.

If there’s one game where the Spartans could break through on the ground and finally get LJ Scott going, it’s this one.

Ranking 95th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game as well as yards per attempt (4.8), the Hoosiers have been gashed by opposing ground attacks and that will continue as Michigan State is trying to establish its run game.

Expect LJ Scott to break the 100-yard mark for the first time this season while Connor Heyward, La’Darius Jefferson and even Weston Bridges get into the action, combining for another 100 yards. The Spartans, as a team, will break 200 yards rushing and Brian Lewerke will add 50.

This will feel like an old-fashioned ‘pound, green, pound’ game.

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