The Michigan State Spartans play host to the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon in a crucial Big Ten showdown from Spartan Stadium. The Hoosiers find themselves simply searching for a win, as they come into this one having lost seven in a row, winless in the Big Ten. For the Spartans, a slow start has given way to two straight wins, as they eye bowl eligibility in this one. The Spartans came away with the win last season and have won four of five overall, as they welcome the Hoosiers to a difficult environment in this one.
It has been nothing short of a rough season for the Hoosiers and even though they're only a few years removed from competing for a Big Ten championship, they now find themselves winless in the conference. A 3-0 start gave way to some life early on, though, with the lack of quality surrounding those opponents, it was difficult to take much stock in that success. The Hoosiers have now lost seven in a row, all to Big Ten teams, and with this being their second-straight road game and third in four games, it's difficult to imagine them turning things around suddenly in this one. The offense remains in shambles, while the defense has struggled to hold up, even against the weaker of Big Ten opponents.
The wide receiver room is beaten up in this one and with the offense limping along, it's difficult to do that with the injuries they're dealing with. Cam Camper (knee) remains out for the season, while DJ Matthe ws (knee) is questionable as well. With linebacker Cam Jones (foot) remaining out as well, the defense will miss a key force.
Celebrating the best long snappers in college football – @SeanWracher95 is a semifinalist for the Mannelly Award. pic.twitter.com/xHrVLWpeyO
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) November 15, 2022
Indiana's offense is brutally bad and considering some of the absences on the outside, questions abound as to how this team will find success in this one. They rank 115th nationally in total yards and while they are 60th in passing, the lack of options at the receiver is bound to impact that number. Without a running game as well, controlling the game seems unlikely for this group. Connor Bazelak or Dexter Williams II are expected to see the snaps at quarterback but even with the starter up in the air, it's clear this team is trying to limp through the last few weeks of the season.