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Michigan State at Indiana Odds

The Michigan State Spartans head to Bloomington, Indiana to take on the Hoosiers in an early season Big Ten matchup on Saturday, September 27 at 12:00 EST on ESPN. Michigan State leads the all-time series with Indiana 39-15-2 and is coming off a big win over Notre Dame last week. So not surprisingly, Michigan State finds itself as an 8-point favorite with the total set at 51.

Since opening the year with a tough seven-point loss at Cal, the Spartans have bounce back to win three straight games, including a convincing 23-7 victory over the Fighting Irish last week. Michigan State hopes its momentum can carry over this week so the Spartans can get off to a good start in conference play.

Michigan State has struggled, to put it gently, in the Big Ten the past few seasons, posting a pathetic 6-18 record. The Spartans are hoping that this season can be different.

Michigan State used a run-heavy attack in its most recent win over Notre Dame. Running back Javon Ringer pounded the Irish for 201 yards and two scores. Overall, the Spartans amassed 346 total yards and were impressive by scoring on all four of their red zone chances. A strong ground game will be vital to winning on the road this week. The Spartans are averaging 195.2 yards on the dirt this season and Ringer has been one of the best in the country with 699 yards and 11 touchdowns through just four games.

Defensively, the Spartans have been just as strong, limiting its opponents to just 13.8 points per game. Michigan State has been particularly tough on ground attacks. It is allowing just 107 rushing yards per games and only a 3.8 yards per carry average. The defense was completely dominant last week, holding the Irish to a trivial 16 yards on 22 carries. The Spartans also came up with three big turnovers last week.

Indiana got off to a fast 2-0 start in 2008 before getting pounded by the MAC’s Ball State 42-20 last week. Perhaps the loss couldn’t have come at a better time as it will have the Hoosiers much more focused heading into Big Ten play. Like Michigan State, Indiana has also been attrocious in conference play. Since 2002, the Hoosiers are only 10-38 in the Big Ten. Indiana will be faced with another daunting number this week as the Spartans have taken nine of the last 11 meetings.

Also like Michigan State, Indiana’s offense has been gobbling up yards on the ground, averaging an awesome 269 per game in the early going. The Hoosiers are averaging 447 total yards per game and 32 points per contest. Indiana’s offensive success begins and ends with QB Kellen Lewis, who leads the team with 331 rushing yards while averaging 9.5 yards per carry. Michigan State is going to have to contain Lewis to come out on top this week.

Running back Marcus Thigpen has given the Hoosiers another solid running option. The senior has gained 152 yards and added a pair of touchdowns in the early going.

Indiana racked up 415 totals yards on the Cardinals last week, but a pair of interceptions by Lewis proved to be costly. Success this week depends on Indiana taking care of the football.

The defense has allowed 298 total yards per game resulting in 19.3 points per game thus far, but this unit will face its stiffest challenge yet in stopping Javon Ringer. Indiana has done a good job against the run, limiting opponents to 105 yards per game and a mere 3.2 yards per carry. The Hoosiers will have to really tighten things up this week however, after being hit in the mouth with 224 rushing yards by Ball State.