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Michigan State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Indiana in Week 11

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 28: Michigan State Spartans players celebrate after a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 40-31. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 28: Michigan State Spartans players celebrate after a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 40-31. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Nov 7, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) warms up before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) warms up before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Rocky Lombardi passes for over 300 yards

I’ve been extremely hard on Rocky Lombardi this season. I was hesitant to buy in after a 300-yard performance against Rutgers but then I warmed up to the idea following a 300-yard outing against Michigan. I was brought all the way back down to earth when he struggled against Iowa, completing less than 50 percent of his passes and throwing three interceptions.

But for all the criticism I’ve bestowed upon Rocky, I do give him credit for one facet of his game in particular: he throws one heck of a deep ball.

This is an area that Brian Lewerke struggled with after his shoulder injury and it seems as if Jay Johnson worked with him plenty this offseason and it’s paid off. He knows how to put some air under the ball and let his athletic receivers make plays. He’s not afraid to take shots against vulnerable secondaries and I think that’s what Indiana has.

The Hoosiers are giving up over 230 yards per game through the air and with Lombardi being able to spot weaknesses down the field and the Spartan receivers playing well this season, I see him passing for over 300 yards for the third time in four games.

Will it be enough, though?

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