Game Day Primer: Indiana vs. Michigan State

Photo by: amanda pavelka/hoosier huddle

Written by T.J. Inman

Game 5 Primer – Michigan State Spartans

What: Indiana (3-1) at Michigan State (3-1)

Where: Spartan Stadium

When: Saturday, September 28 at 3:30

How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. You can also listen to the game on the IU Radio Network with the legendary Don Fischer on the call.

Series History: The two Big Ten rivals have played 65 times and battle for the Old Brass Spittoon. While it is not nearly on the level of the Old Oaken Bucket, it is a “trophy game” and the winner of this game will have the traveling relic for a year. MSU has won 47 of these contests, IU has won 16 and the two have tied twice. The Hoosiers have not won in East Lansing since 2001 and MSU has won nine of ten in the series. 

What’s at Stake: Beyond playing for the Old Brass Spittoon, this is a big game for both sides. After an impressive and dominant win at Northwestern, the Spartans are ranked in the Top 25 (25th) and the vulnerability of Michigan has to have their fans thinking of another nine or ten win season. With a difficult schedule to come, Michigan State cannot afford a loss at home to Indiana. The Hoosiers have a chance to improve to 4-1 heading into an open week and a win would be a major building block as Tom Allen continues to try and build IU’s program into a consistent winner. Perhaps most importantly, this would be a victory that most were not counting on in IU’s quest to reach a bowl game.

What to Watch For

1. Scoring on the Immovable Object

Indiana is hoping to have Michael Penix back at quarterback. He has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury but Tom Allen said on Monday that Penix would practice this week and they hoped he could play on Saturday. With left tackle and leader Coy Cronk out, IU will need every weapon they can get because they will be playing on the road against perhaps the nation’s best defense. The Spartans have not allowed more than 17 points (Western Michigan) in a game this season and they are the top ranked defense in the S&P+ rankings. Watching the two most applicable games the Spartans have played (vs. Arizona State and at Northwestern) and studying the box scores gives a very clear idea of just how tough this defense is. Arizona State had 140 passing yards and could only muster 2.9 yards on 26 carries. They had one play of 40 yards and no other play of more than 16 yards. Northwestern was similarly stunted. They had runs of 17 and 21 and managed 3.2 yards per carry on 44 attempts (!) but only threw for 126 passing yards and had a long pass play of 20. Michigan State keeps everything in front of them and they tackle extremely well. If you are able to find any space, the Spartans close that space and bring the play to an end before big gains can occur. Opposing offenses have to be extremely efficient over a long drive because Michigan State is going to make you use 12-15 plays to move the ball down the field and into scoring territory. Offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer is going to have come up with some creative plays to give IU a chance at explosive plays and the Hoosiers will have to execute them without miscues (remember the missed wheel routes the past two seasons against MSU?).

2. Convert Scoring Chances

Even if the Hoosiers are able to have a great day against the Michigan State Spartans, the game is likely going to be played at a pace that will put scoring chances at a premium. Simply put, if Indiana is able to get into scoring territory, finishing with points will be a requirement. IU will need to convert on any field goal opportunities and ideally, all red zone opportunities will end in touchdowns. The Hoosiers have been fairly successful this season in the red zone. 82.35% of red zone drives (14 of 17) have resulted in scores and 11 of the drives have ended in touchdowns. The margins for success will be very small in this area and the Hoosiers will likely need their veteran receivers to make competitive catches.

3. Keep the Spartans Offense Struggling

If Michigan State could be judged on only one side of the ball, they would be College Football Playoff contenders. However, football requires offense as well as defense and the Spartans continue to struggle on that side. Brian Lewerke has looked more like the player he was last season as opposed to the standout season  he had in 2017. He is very capable of making really tough throws and they have some decent weapons in Darrell Stewart and Cody White but Lewerkemakes a lot of mistakes and misses throws he should not be missing at this stage of his career. This is particularly true if you can apply pressure to him and get past the less than stellar offensive line. The running game, much like Indiana’s, is not explosive enough. IU has been fairly efficient but the Spartans are still trying to find that. The primary running back is going to be Elijah Collins and he had 4.5 yards per carry against Northwestern. Indiana’s defense cannot let Michigan State’s offense get comfortable or confident and keeping the Spartans behind schedule (forcing 2nd or 3rd and longs) will be paramount.

Inside the Numbers: Indiana at Michigan State

PhOto by: sammy jacoBs/hoosier huddle

Written by Andrew Walker

The Indiana Hoosiers are coming off of a convincing and predictable win against UConn last weekend 38-3. Peyton Ramsey and co. was able to pick apart the Husky defense with ease. The Hoosier defense did their part to hold UConn to only three points. Overall, Indiana had what it takes to beat a team like UConn, but their upcoming game against Michigan State will be a different story. Let’s take a look inside the numbers for both teams to see where they stand. 

Third down conversions

Indiana - 49%

It’s no secret that Indiana’s third down conversion percentage has been trending up from last season. Up from about 42% to almost 50% is a great increase in efficiency, and is ultimately giving the Hoosiers more chances at the endzone. Indiana is scoring on average seven more points this year, compared to last year and a continually rising third down conversion percentage is helping that. 

MSU - 45%

The Spartans have had their own troubles getting to the first down marker on third downs as well this year. Last year, however, MSU was abysmal in third down conversions at only 33%. 

Penalty yards

Indiana - 21 for 209 yards

In football, there’s little more  than yards taken away from your team by way of penalty. The Hoosiers have been relatively successful at keeping penalties down, so that’ll have to keep being a point of emphasis if Indiana wants to come out successful in East Lansing.

MSU - 31 for 280 yards

The Spartans have been surprisingly bad at keeping the yellow flag off the turf in 2019. It’s proven to be a weakness for MSU, and with a somewhat important game coming up against an Indiana team that might have a good shot at making it a game, the Spartans need to keep penalties to a minimum. 

Passing numbers

Indiana - 308 YPG and nine TDs on the season

For Indiana to continue success in the passing game, Mike Penix needs to be the starting QB and play well. I don’t think it’s any secret that Peyton Ramsey can’t run Kalen DeBoer’s offense as well as it should be run. The ability for Penix to come into a game and lead this team makes Indiana about as good as they can possibly be, and the Hoosiers hope to see that on Saturday. 

MSU - 268 YPG and seven TDs on the season

Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke has been doing very well to start of the season. He’s completing over 60% of his passes and has accounted for all seven passing touchdowns. The Spartans don’t throw the ball as much as Indiana does, thus accounting for less YPG, but don’t count out Lewerke and the receiving corps in the redzone to make a play.