Meet the Opponent: Indiana Hosts Michigan State in Old Brass Spittoon Game

Both Indiana and Michigan State enter the Week 12 matchup with 3-7 records. Here's what you need to know about the Spartans, who travel to Memorial Stadium this weekend.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Old Brass Spittoon is on the line in Bloomington this weekend. With both Indiana (3-7) and Michigan State (3-7) eliminated from postseason contention last Saturday, the two teams hope to salvage their seasons with a win in the rivalry game.

Indiana won last year's meeting in East Lansing, 39-31. The Hoosiers have claimed two victories in the last three matchups and will look to win the rivalry game in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 1960s. 

Here's what to know about the Spartans:

Key Offensive Players

• Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter has been a bright spot for Michigan State's offense this season. He's racked up 711 yards on the ground and scored four touchdowns on 167 carries. Carter has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in three games this year, but hasn't done so since Michigan State's Sept. 30 trip to Kinnick Stadium in a 26-16 loss to Iowa.

• Wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. is the top pass-catcher for the Spartans this season, hauling in 34 passes for 447 yards and two trips to the end zone. His best performance of the year came two weeks ago, totaling 94 yards and a touchdown on four catches in a 20-17 victory over Nebraska.

• Quarterback Katin Houser took over for Noah Kim as the starter after the first five games in the season. He's shown flashes of potential, but the redshirt freshman is also subject to mistakes. Houser has completed just 57.1% of his passes this season with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Key Defensive Players

• Linebacker Cal Haladay isn't just one of Michigan State's top defensive players, he's one of the best in the Big Ten. The Spartans have leaned on his veteran leadership through most of the season and he's capable of making big plays regularly. Haladay has piled up 74 stops, including five tackles for loss. He's also responsible for a sack and an interception.

• Senior defensive back Angelo Grose is a player Indiana will have to be cautious of in the passing game. He's already broken up five passes and intercepted two this season. Grose flies all over the field and can hurt offenses in multiple ways. On the year, he's responsible for 52 tackles. 

Michigan State Notes

• Struggling to Score: The Spartans average just 16.7 points per game this season, the worst in the Big Ten. Michigan State has scored 20 points just twice in conference play this season and has been held under 10 on four occasions. 
  
  
• Turnover Issues: The offense hasn't helped its cause much this season. Michigan State has turned the ball over 19 times in 10 games, tied for second-worst in the Big Ten. Indiana's concern? The Spartans have actually cleaned it up a bit the last two weeks, ending games against Nebraska and Ohio State without a turnover.

• Hoping to Salvage a Season: Michigan State's season has been a tumultuous one. Last weekend, the Spartans were officially eliminated from the postseason after suffering a 38-3 loss to Ohio State. A win over Indiana and bringing the Old Brass Spittoon back to East Lansing would certainly be a bright spot for interim coach Harlon Barnett and the team this season.

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