Scouting Report and Prediction: #6 Michigan State 5-1 (2-0) vs. Indiana Hoosiers 3-3 (0-3)

A look at this weekâ€™s opponentâ€¦

Once again, we find ourselves facing another opponent where my opening line is â€œThe Spartans are truly facing themselves this week.â€ The Hoosiers offense scheme is dangerous, but their defense is horrible. Decimated by injury at the QB position, the Spartan defense should have a field day.

When MSU has the ballâ€¦

The Spartans need to use this game to get ready for the next two: Michigan and Ohio State. They need to come out scoring and continue that all the way through the fourth quarter. This is not going to be a game that they can take their foot off of the gas.

The Hoosiers will have a young QB and even if they are down big in this game, they need him to get better quick needing three wins to get to a bowl. Some believe (I do not) that if Wilson fails to do that, his job is on the line. If an offensive player gets a scholarship from Wilson that in itself speaks to the playerâ€™s talent. The MSU offense must come out, put up monster numbers, and NOT let up.

Indiana will not quit. Their offense has had success against MSU and they are fighting for a bowl. Make this certain, a MSU offense that DOES NOT SCORE in the fourth quarter this week, will be on upset alert.

When MSU is on defenseâ€¦

The Spartans defense needs to sure up the backend defensive back play. Indiana will try to put as much on their star RB as they can. Tevin Coleman is a super player, and MSU will play conceptually the same way they did against Ameer Abdullah and the Huskers.

Sell out to stop the run and dare the QB to beat them. He will get some throws in, but MSU must dominate. The Spartans have to destroy the Hoosiers will to fight. That will be tough.

Wilson canâ€™t coach D, but his teams are resilient. They are a points machine and a lack of success early wonâ€™t bother them. They will keep on coming.

Intangiblesâ€¦

Can MSU beat itself? Yes. Will they? I told you after the Oregon game they wouldnâ€™t take their foot off the gas again. I was wrong. I take full responsibility. I now will have to see it each week. I THINK they will, but I am not certain.

Bad turnovers, wasted drives, and a prolific scoring Hoosier team can be trouble. IU canâ€™t beat MSU. MSU can beat MSU.

Predictionâ€¦

I think MSU does respond this week. The heat has been turned up on the players and even on the coaches. To their credit, no one ran from that. They embraced it. The Old Brass Spittoon stays with the good guys. I say MSU wins this 41-17.

I normally give you people pages of analysis. Not this week. Not necessary. On paper MSU should destroy the Hoosiers. This game is about the man in the mirror.

Add us as a preferred source on Google