Know Your Opponent Week 8: Michigan State Spartans

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The Spartans are looking to hang onto the Spittoon for another year.

The Spartans are looking to hang onto the Spittoon for another year.

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

This Years Record: 5-1 (2-0) 1st in Big Ten East

Head Coach: Mark Dantonio 8th Year at Michigan State

Overall: 87-47 .583 (11th year)

At Michigan State 69-30

Bowls: 3-4

Last Years Record: 13-1 (8-0) Beat Stanford 24-20 in the Rose Bowl

Bowls Since 2000: 10 Appearances (5-5 Record)

Mascot: Sparty

Colors: Green and White

Outfitter: Nike

National Titles: 6

Conference Titles: 10

Heisman Winners: 0

Fun Fact: Michigan State played in what was dubbed the “Game of the Century” in 1966. It pitted the second ranked Spartans and the top ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The game ended in a tie and both teams claimed the National Championship

1. Sparty Starts Fast- Michigan State has taken a lead into halftime in each of their first six games. They are outscoring their opponents 194-49 in the first half. The Spartans take the will from their opponent early and make them try and score on a good defense.

2. Michigan State’s Offense is Very Good- The Spartans enter the Old Brass Spittoon game averaging 45.5 points per game. Not too shabby for a team that is know for its defense. Quarterback Conner Cook leads the MSU attack with 1,309 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. He has completed 58.3 percent of his passes and has only throw four interceptions in 2014. The Spartans leading receiver is Tony Lippett with 32 catches for 663 yards and eight scores. The running game is prolific as well. The Spartans average 248.3 yards per game on the ground, led by Jeremy Langford’s 555.

3. The Defense is still very, very dangerous- Despite losing five starters the Spartans are still very good on the defensive side of the ball. They have held opponents to just 22.3 points per contest. They have one of the best rush defenses in the nation, limiting opponents to 81.5 yards a game. The “Spartan Dawg” defense has also sacked the quarterback 22 times and has forced 18 turnovers (10 fumbles 8 interceptions).

4. Dantonio, Spartans Own Hoosiers and Spittoon- Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio owns a 5-0 record against the Hoosiers since arriving in East Lansing in 2007. They have won 16 of the last 18 matchups in the Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon, last relinquishing it to the Hoosiers in 2006.