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Indiana Football vs. Michigan State: Key Storylines, preview, and prediction

By Trevor Gersmehl

Nov 7, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Cameron McGrone (44) tackles Indiana Hoosiers running back Stevie Scott III (8) during the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Cameron McGrone (44) tackles Indiana Hoosiers running back Stevie Scott III (8) during the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Storylines for Indiana football vs. Michigan State football:

Indiana

Can the Hoosiers focus on this game?

This could be a potential trap game for the Hoosiers if they are not careful. With Ohio State lying in wait next week, it could be easy to look past Michigan State. At the same time, the Spartans are going to be determined to put on a better show than their dismal performance against Iowa.

Full transparency: there is no reason Indiana should not win this game. They are more talented by far, better coached, and have more at stake than Michigan State.

Still, we have already seen that the Spartans are capable of pulling off an upset. If Tom Allen gets all his guys locked in on this game, it should be a repeat of last week for Mel Tucker and his team. If not, then the Hoosiers could be on the upset alert.

Michigan State

Can the Spartans get Rocky Lombardi going?

Junior Rocky Lombardi has shown he can be a pretty good quarterback through the first three weeks of the season. Lombardi has tossed for 869 yards so far, albeit on subpar efficiency (58%). He has thrown six touchdowns to five interceptions, but his standout game was against Michigan where he three touchdowns and no picks.

Indiana cannot allow Lombardi to have a game as he did against Michigan. Part of this task is containing receivers Jayden Reed and Ricky White, who have both had stellar individual performances against Michigan and Rutgers respectfully.

The Hoosiers have had a solid pass defense thus far, but two of their three opponents have been running quarterbacks. They did a great job against Michigan’s Joe Milton last week, and need to do more of the same to beat Michigan State.

Key Players

Indiana

Michael Penix Jr. QB: 250 passing YPG, 7 touchdowns (season)
Whop Philyor, WR: Last season vs. Mich St — 14 receptions, 142 yards, 2 touchdowns
Ty Fryfogle, WR: Last game vs. Michigan — 7 receptions, 142 yards, 1 touchdown

Michigan State

Rocky Lombardi, QB: 289.6 passing YPG, 6 touchdowns, 5 interceptions (season)
Ricky White, WR: 10 receptions, 223 yards, 1 touchdown (season)
Jayden Reed, WR: 13 receptions, 153 yards, 2 touchdowns (season)

Prediction: Indiana 42, Michigan State 17

Next. Indiana Football versus Michigan State: Know your opponent. dark

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