The No. 7 Michigan State Spartans (7-0) look to extend their unbeaten streak as they meet the Indiana Hoosiers (4-3). The Big 10’s top passer, Connor Cook (1,672 yards, 13 TDs), and the top passer, Nate Sudfeld (1,741 yards, 11 TDs) will be key to the outcome of this matchup. It will begin Saturday, Oct 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ABC and ESP2.
Michigan State beat Michigan 27-23 last week. Aaron Burbridge had an outstanding performance in the win, registering nine receptions for 132 yards. Connor Cook had a big game as well, totaling 328 yards and a TD through the air. Indiana didn’t have the same success as Michigan State, losing in a close one against Rutgers 55-52. Nate Sudfeld had a big game throwing the ball for the Hoosiers, completing 32 of 42 passes for 464 yards, four TDs and two interceptions. Ricky Jones also had a big game with 119 receiving yards and a TD on six receptions.
Oddsmakers have deemed the Michigan State and Indiana game as an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment.
Despite a 7-0 Straight Up (SU) record this season, the Spartans have not fared well Against The Spread (ATS) with a 1-6 record. The Spartans have a strong passing game with an average of 14.4 yards per pass, good enough for 10th in the country. As for the Michigan State defense, there are important areas to keep an eye on. The Hoosiers will be matching up against a stout Michigan State pass defense, which only allowed 189.2 passing yards over their last five matchups. Michigan State usually gets off to a quick start in games, averaging 9.9 points in the first quarter. Michigan State has only earned an average of 4.7 penalties per game on the season, making them one of the least penalized teams in the nation (19th).
Across the field, the Hoosiers have 4-3 SU and ATS records this season. If earlier games are any indication, the Hoosiers will throw the ball a lot. They average 284 passing yards per game, good enough for 25th in Division I. The Hoosiers usually get a boost in the third quarter, when they average 12.3 points this year. Special teams usually provides a spark for Indiana. They average the 17th-most return yards in the nation with 121.4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Michigan State, ATS Winner – Michigan State
Notes
Michigan State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games.
Michigan State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Michigan State’s last 22 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Michigan State’s last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Michigan State’s last 5 games at home.
Michigan State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Michigan State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
Michigan State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Michigan State’s last 5 games when playing Indiana.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Michigan State’s last 7 games when playing at home against Indiana.
Indiana is 4-1 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Michigan State is 6-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
Nationally, the Michigan State passing attack is ranked 61st, while the Indiana pass defense is only ranked 127th. The Hoosiers passing game is ranked 25th, compared to the 75th-ranked pass defense of the Spartans.
