Indiana Football Game Preview: Michigan State – key question, injury report, how to watch
Indiana football is coming off the program’s biggest win in decades, but Curt Cignetti and his team have quickly turned their attention to their week eight matchup against Michigan State.
The No. 3 Hoosiers are coming off a huge win against No. 8 Oregon last week and are off to their second consecutive 6-0 start.
Michigan State is coming off a loss to UCLA and heads into this one 3-3. Head coach Jonathan Smith is in his 2nd year with the Spartans, having gone 8-10 over the last season and a half.
The Spartans have yet to win a conference game and will be looking to shock the nation and knock off the Hoosiers in Bloomington.
Below is the full preview ahead of Saturday’s week eight game.
Opposing Q&A: Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith previews Week 8 clash with Indiana
Key Question
Hangover game: How does Indiana Football handle the noise and ‘rat poison‘
Last Saturday’s big win over Oregon brought a lot of things to Indiana Football, including praise from the national media.
While that might seem like a good thing, that the Hoosiers have finally earned the respect of the national media, it’s not in everyone’s eyes.
Curt Cignetti calls it rat poison for a reason.
Michigan State comes to Bloomington without a Big Ten win and presents what should be a relatively easy game for Indiana Football.
That type of thinking is what gets teams in trouble.
“Rip off the rearview mirror, so to speak. Total focus on Michigan State. I think the key now is our response coming off of this game,” Curt Cignetti said during his weekly press conference.
It’s easy to look ahead at what Indiana Football could do this season, but staying in the present will be crucial.
While Indiana has no games left against ranked opponents, that does not mean they have an easy road to the Big Ten Championship.
Every team will be looking to be the first one to give the Hoosiers their first loss, including Michigan State.
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The players have echoed Cignetti’s message of staying focused on the next game, but saying it and doing it are two different things.
Indiana is a big favorite on Saturday, and deservedly so, but coming out ready to go and taking care of Michigan State will be proof that they are focused on the now.
Coach Q&A: Curt Cignetti talks ahead of Week 8 battle with Michigan State
Matchup History
Indiana football has faced Michigan State 71 times, with the Spartans leading the all-time series 50-19-2.
The first matchup between the two schools happened in 1927, with Indiana winning 33-7.
In last year’s matchup, the Hoosiers were able to reclaim the Old Brass Spittoon with a 47-10 win in East Lansing after trailing 10-0 early in the game.
The 37-point differential was the largest margin of victory for the Hoosiers in the series.
This will be the 15th consecutive year the two programs face off, dating back to 2011, and the 67th time for the Old Brass Spittoon.
On3+ Early Look: Meet Indiana’s Week 8 opponent, Michigan State
Injury Report
Running back Lee Beebe suffered a knee injury in week three and will miss the rest of the 2025 season.
Redshirt-senior safety Bryson Bonds is out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in week one.
True freshman safety Byron Baldwin Jr. was called day-to-day by Cignetti after week one. He is still yet to make his debut for Indiana. His status for Saturday is in doubt.
Game Week Q&A: Roman Hemby, Isaiah Jones, D’Angelo Ponds preview Week 8 clash with Michigan State
Quick Hitters
Who? Michigan State 3-3 (0-3) vs #3 Indiana 6-0 (3-0)
When? Saturday, Oct. 18 | 3:30 p.m. ET
Where? Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, Ind.)
TV: Peacock
Radio: Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network
Spread: Indiana -27.5 per BetMGM
Over/Under: 49.5 per BetMGM
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