Michigan State vs. Indiana Live Game Thread
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan State Spartans (4-4, 2-3 Big Ten) will take on the No. 13 Indiana Hoosiers (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) in the safe confines of Spartan Stadium for a Nov. 2 tilt.
Remember the rule of five. The game is over if the Spartans win that key statistical battle. For those who don't remember it, it has to do with sacks and turnovers. If the Spartans have three sacks and give up two, they are plus one. They are plus three if they get four turnovers and give up only one. That would give them a plus-four for the day. They want to get to a plus-five ratio every game.
The Hoosiers are aiming to go 9-0 for the first time in program history while the Spartans, a rare underdog in the history of this matchup, are looking to keep their bowl hopes alive. The Battle for the Ol' Brass Spittoon is sure to be a physical, competitive matchup this time around.
The Spartans have played some of their best football the past two weeks, though the latter week against Michigan was far inferior to the Iowa performance (the cause of this mostly due to play-calling).
The return of Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke makes a massive difference for the Hoosiers.
Staff Predictions
Aidan Champion, Indiana 24-14
The Hoosiers' top-five defense is going to be too much for the Spartans to combat down the stretch. Michigan State keeps it competitive early, keeping it close through three quarters, but Indiana locks in and halts the Spartans' offense while its own offense dismantles Michigan State when it matters most. The Spartans play a relatively clean game, limiting the penalties and turning the ball over just once. But on the other side of the ball, Michigan State is unable to get a takeaway for the second week in a row.
Michael France: Indiana, 31-17
Indiana is rolling right now. The Spartans are fresh off a heartbreaking loss that ended with pure rage and angst. How the young team handles it is to be determined. Expect the Spartans to play physical and try to out-tough the efficient, well-coached Hoosiers.
The Spartans will only go as far as their ability to take care of the ball. That is nothing new this season. They might keep it close at first, but Indiana will pull away as the game goes on.
Carter Landis: Indiana, 48-23
I hate to say it, but Michigan State will probably not come close in this one. Indiana is a well-oiled machine on both sides of the ball, plus they get Kurtis Rourke back. I don't see a way the Spartans pull this one off, especially if they turn the ball over as often as they have.
Spartan Walk never gets old pic.twitter.com/PlZ9ae0Bpd
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) November 2, 2024
START OF THE FIRST QUARTER:
SCORING UPDATE NO. 1: Jonathan Kim puts it through to get the Spartans on the board first. MSU leads, 3-0.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 2: Aidan Chiles connects with Nick Marsh for a touchdown. MSU leads, 10-0. Indiana loses a timeout on the challenge.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER: Spartans lead, 10-0.
START OF THE SECOND QUARTER:
SCORING UPDATE NO. 3: Kurtis Rourke connects with Zach Horton to get the Hoosiers on the board. MSU leads, 10-7.
INTERCEPTION: Aidan Chiles throws his 10th interception of the season.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 4: Ty Son Lawton punches it in for Indiana. Hoosiers lead, 14-10.
INTERCEPTION: Aidan Chiles throws his 11th interception of the season.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Rourke connects with Elijah Sarratt for a touchdown. Hoosiers extend the lead, 21-10.
2-MINUTE TIMEOUT
TIMEOUT: Hoosiers use their second timeout of the half.
TIMEOUT: Spartans use their first timeout of the half.
TIMEOUT: Spartans use their second timeout of the half.
TIMEOUT: Spartans use their third and final timeout of the half.
END OF FIRST HALF: Indiana leads, 21-10.
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The Spartans started strong, having one of their best quarters of football all season. Behind a stout defense and dominant play from wide receiver Nick Marsh, they took a 10-0 lead against the No. 13 Hoosiers.
Then, the self-inflicted mistakes so prevalent with this Spartans team arose. Chiles threw two interceptions, his 10th and 11th, and the Hoosiers capitalized. Indiana's offense opened up and made big-time plays and now they sit on an 11-point lead.
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START OF THE THIRD QUARTER:
SCORING UPDATE NO. 6: Indiana blocks a punt that roles out of the endzone for a safety. Hoosiers lead, 23-10.
PENALTY: False start against the Hoosiers.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 7: Rourke connects with Myles Price for a Hoosier touchdown. Hoosiers lead, 30-10.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 8: Hoosiers convert on a 29-yard field goal. Indiana leads, 33-10.
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER: Hoosiers lead, 33-10.
START OF THE FOURTH QUARTER:
SCORING UPDATE NO. 9: Omar Cooper Jr. rushes for a touchdown. Indiana leads, 40-10.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 10: Rourke connects with Elijah Sarratt for a Hoosier touchdown. Indiana leads, 47-10.
FINAL: Indiana defeats Michigan State, 47-10.
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