Michigan State Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by toughness

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs into the tackle of Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs into the tackle of Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – SEPTEMBER 22: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to throw the ball under pressure from Charles Campbell #93 and Nile Sykes #35 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – SEPTEMBER 22: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to throw the ball under pressure from Charles Campbell #93 and Nile Sykes #35 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Indiana always seems to give Michigan State a tough test and 2019 will be no different.

While it looked like Peyton Ramsey would be back as the Big Ten’s top returning passer from a year ago with 2,875 yards and 19 touchdowns, he was beat out this summer by redshirt freshman Michael Penix for QB1. While that was a shocking development, Penix might give the Hoosiers the best chance to win.

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Stevie Scott is back after a breakout freshman season where he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns on 5.0 yards per touch. Nick Westbrook and Donavan Hale round out the top returning skill position players who had over 500 receiving yards each last year.

Michigan State went into Bloomington a year ago and scored 35 points on the Hoosiers in a two-touchdown win and the Spartans should expect the same fate this time around, especially facing a mediocre defense.

Will the Spartans put up 30-plus points? Who knows, but Indiana ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten on defense, but Michigan State should win this one at home.