Staff Picks: Predicting Indiana's Week 8 matchup with Michigan State

Indiana football is 6-0 and ranked the No. 3 team in the country after a road win over Oregon last weekend.

Now, the Hoosiers return home to the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium for the first time in nearly a month to play host to the Spartans of Michigan State.

Each week throughout the season, our staff will break down the upcoming matchup and make their predictions on how things will play out. From big-picture storylines to score forecasts, our weekly picks aim to give fans a snapshot of expectations heading into game day.

This week, the focus is squarely on the Hoosiers’ first home game since Sept. 20, a meeting with the Spartans and chance to improve to 7-0.

Zach’s Pick

To most, this game may seem like a “trap” game. Indiana is riding high off of one of the biggest wins in the history of the program, the Hoosiers are ranked No. 3 in the country and Curt Cignetti just picked up a massive new contract. This has all the makings of a trap game — except, I don’t think it will be. If there’s one thing Cignetti and his Hoosiers aren’t, it’s complacent. This team understands the need to treat Michigan State like they would treat any other opponent. What stands out about this team is that they don’t just say those types of things, they go out and show it. I don’t think there will be any hangover for the Hoosiers in this one as they roll to 7-0 on the season.

Prediction: Indiana 49, Michigan State 7

Alec’s Pick

Indiana is coming off of its best win in the Curt Cignetti era — and one of the best wins anywhere in the country over the last few years. As Cignetti says, however, ‘rip off the rearview mirror’. The Hoosiers head into its homecoming game against Michigan State looking to avoid any letdown — and I don’t think there should be much to worry about. Indiana is clearly on a mission this year and are one of the most balanced and best teams in all of college football. Michigan State doesn’t bring in a lot of confidence or talent and struggles to slow down opposing offenses. I don’t think this one is close at all and look for Indiana to keep rolling.

Prediction: Indiana 45, Michigan State 10

Colin’s Pick

After six straight weeks of victories, Indiana is finally getting the respect of the college football world. The Hoosiers are BIG favorites against Michigan State on Saturday, and for good reason. The Spartans have begun Big Ten play 0-3 and haven’t looked great in any aspect. Indiana, however, has dominated all three phases in practically every game it’s played. I think the Hoosiers roll, with the bigger question being if they cover the spread in expected rainy conditions inside Memorial Stadium.

Prediction: Indiana 45, Michigan State 10

Kyler’s Pick

Indiana is coming off their biggest win in program history over the Ducks last weekend and now face one of their rivals in Michigan State this weekend. Let’s face it however, Michigan State is nowhere near the level of what Indiana is. The Hoosiers are a legit title contender and have showed no signs of slowing down. I don’t even consider this a slight trap game at all. The Hoosiers will win big over Michigan State and keep rolling towards the CFP.

Prediction: Indiana 42, Michigan State 10

Drew’s Pick

Indiana Football has put themselves in the driver’s seat to play in the Big Ten Championship game in December, but it all comes down to taking care of business. After a big win over Oregon, it can be easy to look past a Michigan State team that was dominated at home by UCLA a week ago. The message from Curt Cignetti and the players has been clear: this game is the most important because it is the next game. If Indiana is able to move forward after last week’s program-changing win and is ready to go on Saturday, they should have no trouble with Michigan State. The Spartan defense has been easily exposed this season, and I expect the Hoosiers to have little trouble moving the football. On the other side of the football, the Indiana defense has given everyone problems, allowing just five offensive touchdowns all season. Indiana is the better team, and Cignetti has consistently shown that his teams don’t sleepwalk through the easy games. I expect the Hoosiers to put this game away relatively quickly and cruise to their 7th win of the season.

Prediction: Indiana 45, Michigan State 6

Coach Griff’s Pick

Indiana looks primed to dominate Michigan State, and my prediction is a decisive 45–14 Hoosier victory. The numbers back it up: IU enters the matchup averaging nearly 45 points per game, ranking among the nation’s elite in scoring efficiency, while Michigan State’s defense is surrendering over 31 points per outing. ESPN’s analytics give Indiana a 96% chance to win, and the Fox Sports Data Skrive model projects an even larger margin at 49–7. Add in IU’s top-10 third-down conversion rate (54%) against an MSU defense ranked near the bottom nationally in that category, and the mismatch becomes glaring. The Hoosiers’ defense is just as dominant, sitting top-five nationally in yards allowed, while Michigan State’s offense struggles to move the ball with consistency. Factor in last season’s 47–10 IU win in East Lansing, and the stage is set for another lopsided result. And history adds an intriguing wrinkle — in the last five meetings between Indiana and Michigan State, the visiting team has come out on top each time. With the Brass Spittoon on the line, I’m confident Indiana rolls to a 45–14 victory in Bloomington.

Prediction: Indiana 45, Michigan State 14

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