Michigan State @ Indiana football preview

Spartans look to start Big Ten season with a win

Pretty soon Big Ten officials are just going to have to start calling their offensive player of the week award to the Javon Ringer Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award.

For the third time in as many weeks, the senior running back delivered another clutch performance and claimed the honor. He ran over Notre Dame for 201 yards in the Spartans’ 23-7 victory.

Ringer also made history by becoming the first player in conference history to win the offensive player of week for three consecutive weeks. At 699 yards for the season, Ringer is second in the nation in rushing per game at 174.8. And the Heisman Trophy whispers are getting louder.

“It’s the person in him,’’ Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “It’s the intangibles within him that make him the back that he is. There are other guys who are just as explosive and just as fast, but it’s the things inside of him that make him special.’’

That really isn’t the news Indiana is looking for as the Spartans begin conference play Saturday in Bloomington, Ind.

The Spartans have won three consecutive games by playing old-fashioned conference football – a powerful running game complimented by a physical defense. In the last three games, Michigan State’s defense has yielded only 17 points.

While the national pundits may have been a little bored by the Spartans’ play last week, you can be sure there are few in the green and white who are really concerned about what they think.

And the Spartans know the conference schedule is set up for them to jump out to a 3-0 conference start before they play host to Ohio State on Oct. 18. Following Indiana, Michigan State plays host to Iowa and then travels to Northwestern.

Just about every team in the Big Ten is a mystery and the conference’s national standing is taking a hit. Regardless, the Spartans can be contenders provided they take care of their business.

They are better than these first three conference opponents. But they better not assume anything. While Ringer is rolling, senior quarterback Brian Hoyer’s struggles continue. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes against the Irish. He has thrown only one touchdown pass.

Indiana has been disappointing. The Hoosiers, who were coming off a bowl appearance last year, picked up expected victories against Western Kentucky and Murray State. However, they were soundly beaten by Ball State last week, 42-20.

Yet they know they can restore some credibility by pulling off the upset. The Spartan defensive gameplan will focus on Hoosier quarterback Kellen Lewis. The three-year starter has thrown for more than 5,200 yards and 42 touchdowns in the past two seasons.

However, he has not been anything special as he has averaged just 157.6 passing yards per game. He is very much the running threat because he leads the Hoosiers in rushing with 333 yards.

So if the Spartans can limit Lewis’ play-making ability, they should walk out of the Hoosier State with their fourth consecutive win.

Prediction: Michigan State 29, Indiana 18

MSU Notable:

• The only other player in Big 10 history to win a player of the week award three straight weeks was former Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny. He won for defensive player of the week in 2005
• Michigan State is beginning its 56 th year in the Big Ten and is 29-22-4 in conference openers.
• Senior strong Safety Otis Wiley leads the Big 10 in interceptions (4) and pass break-ups (4).

> Find more Big Ten football news online at Big Ten Fans!