Know Your Opponent: Old Brass Spittoon Game (No. 10 Michigan State)

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Head Coach: Mel Tucker

Overall: 2nd Season, 8-5 (.615) Overall

Bowl Appearances at Michigan State: 0

2020 Record: 2-5 (2-5, 7th in the Big Ten East)

Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 14 (7-7)

Mascot: Sparty

Colors: Green and White

Outfitter: Nike

National Titles: 6

Conference Titles: 11

Heisman Winners: 0

2021 Record: 6-0

Last Week: WIN @ Rutgers 31-13

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Payton Thorne (98-157 passing (62.4%), 1575 yards, 14 TDs, 2 INTs)

Rushing: Kenneth Walker III (129 rushes, 913 yards, 7.1 YPC, 9 TDs)

Receiving: Jayden Reed (23 receptions, 492 yards, 5 TDs)

Tackles: Xavier Henderson (52 tackles, 32 solo, 1 PD, 2 Sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF)

Stat of the Week: Michigan State became just the fifth team in FBS history to have a game with a 300-yard passer, 200-yard rusher, and 200-yard receiver in last Saturday’s win over Rutgers.

Michigan State’s Talking Points

1. Another Top-10 Foe.

For the fourth time in six games, Indiana will face a ranked opponent this weekend. The Mel Tucker era of Michigan State football looked gloomy last season, but things have turned entirely around this year. The already bowl-eligible Spartans average 36.7 points per game, good for 23rd in the nation and 3rd in the Big Ten.

2. Heisman Candidate Running Back.

In an extremely balanced, dynamic offensive attack, the Spartans are led by Wake Forest transfer running back Kenneth Walker III. After eclipsing 200-yards for the second time this season last weekend, Walker III jumped up to the 4th best odds (+1400) to win the Heisman Trophy according to BetMGM. Only one time this season has Walker averaged fewer than 5.3 yards per carry.

Walker had a 94-yard rushing touchdown on Saturday and finished the day with 232 yards on 8.0 yards per carry. He has nine rushing touchdowns already and over 900 rushing yards.

Walker would be the first Heisman winner for Michigan State.

3. The One Weakness.

After a 6-0 start has developed playoff aspirations, Spartan fans will have one fear moving forward: their secondary. Michigan State is allowing 301.7 passing yards per game, good enough for the dead-last pass defense in the Big Ten.

The Spartans went up against Western Kentucky one week after the Hoosiers did, and produced similar results defensively; WKU QB Bailey Zappe threw for 488 yards and 3 TDs despite the 48-31 loss.

With Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan all still left on the schedule, these numbers have come against weaker members of the Big Ten and non-conference foes. If Indiana is to find success this weekend and spoil Michigan State’s perfection, they’ll need to do it through the air.