No.3 Indiana hosts Michigan State in week eight of the college football season. After going on the road in week seven and defeating Oregon 30-20, Indiana opened as 27.5 point favorites to defeat the Spartans and keep the Old Brass Spitton. Memorial Stadium is expected to be sold out on homecoming weekend for Indiana.
Here's three big points to look for in Saturday's matchup.
1. MSU has nothing to lose
The Spartans are currently 0-3 in conference play. Their latest loss was last week against UCLA in week seven. The Bruins marched into Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan, spoiling the Spartans homecoming. It was a high scoring game with a final of 63-61. The third straight loss left a negative taste for many Spartan fans.
Coming into Bloomington on Saturday one can imagine Michigan State has a chip on their shoulder. They have the opportunity to try and redeem themselves and potentially turn their season around. Saturday is a chance to upset the No. 3 team in the country who just came off a program-defining win, or hang in the game competitively with them through all four quarters. They have nothing to lose, at the very worst it's another loss on their resume.
Certain factors will have to play in favor for the Spartans to make that happen. The crowd will certainly be an issue to navigate for MSU. While their stadium at home sits about 22,379 more than Memorial Stadium, a packed house can get very loud. They will need their quarterback Aidan Chiles through all four quarters. Chiles exited the game early against UCLA with an injury. He is listed as available according to MSU however the key is that he is healthy and can stay in the game if he does play. Finally, head coach Jonathan Smith needs the full attention of his locker room. The coach who is currently in the second year at the helm of MSU’s program has faced adversity lately asking if he is really the man for the job. Part of proving that he will start today if the Spartans can hang with the Hoosiers.
2. Michigan State has a competitive receiver in Nick Marsh
Bryant Haines and his defense will have their hands full trying to contain Michigan State's top receiver, Nick Marsh. When these two teams met in 2024 Marsh was a challenge for Indiana's secondary. He recorded five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. Marsh has full capability to move the ball for MSU again this year and be a huge asset for them in the game Saturday. In 2025 he’s totaled 29 catches for 340 yards and four touchdowns across six games, averaging about 11.7 yards a play when he gets the ball. He is a really dynamic playmaker and will be a challenge for Haines and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.
3. Indiana needs to apply pressure always
Coming off a statement win against Oregon it's important that Indiana not let the momentum get the best of them. Head coach Curt Cignetti made it clear earlier this week: it’s time to “rip off the rearview mirror” and focus forward.
Last year Indiana's defense had no issue breaking through the MSU offensive line, sacking Chiles seven times in the 2024 matchup. This year they will want to not only focus on replicating that success but also forcing MSU to turn to the pass more than run. While the Spartans do have an elite receiver in Marsh the rest of their receiving core is a little more shaky and they've been more consistent and even explosive in the run game. Chiles himself is also not afraid to rush. So breaking through the line, getting to Chiles and ultimately stopping the run if Michigan State chooses to capitalize on it will be important for Indiana.
As for the Spartan defense, it’s a group that has really struggled on every cylinder this season. They have a lot of gaps and don't really apply the pressure like they need too. That is going to be an advantage for Indiana. The offense, if they play their cards right, could apply the pressure of playing quickly and efficiently, finding the endzone early and consistently. The offense could very well have a field day against the MSU defense.
Nothing is promised, there are no gimmies in college football and it will be important that Indiana treats this game like any other if they want to keep an undefeated record. The battle for the Old Brass Spittoon is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Peacock.
