Through four games, the junior is averaging more than 100 yards on the ground and more than 150 yards through the air per game. He also has five total touchdowns.

MSU’s defense has developed more confidence and chemistry each passing game. After sacking opposing quarterbacks three times in their first three games, the Spartans matched that total last week when they sacked quarterback Jimmy Clausen three times, while also picking him off twice.

EDGE: Push — MSU teams in the past have struggled mightily against mobile quarterbacks who can hurt them in a variety of ways, and Lewis certainly fits that mold.

Although MSU’s front four was successful against Notre Dame, a key reason for many of the Irish’s mistakes was due to the pressure brought by the linebackers and secondary.

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi’s game plan will be a key.

MSU running back Javon Ringer vs. Indiana strongside linebacker Will Patterson

Patterson garnered various preseason accolades, including second- and third-team All-Big Ten recognition from various magazines after making 104 stops last year and leading Indiana in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.

This season, Patterson is tied for second on the Hoosiers with 14 tackles.

Ringer, who is always respected in the Big Ten, is slowly gaining attention on the national stage after carrying MSU’s offensive load through the first four games.

EDGE: Ringer — Obviously, we’re going with Ringer, who was MSU’s bread and butter during the nonconference season. Still, Patterson is a hard hitter, and if the two meet, the junior linebacker has a knack for causing fumbles. Ringer has fumbled twice this season.

Indiana defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton vs. MSU offensive line

While Middleton garners the most attention, sitting on preseason watch lists for various national awards at right end, Kirlew is continuing his dominance on the leftside. Somewhat overshadowed by Middleton, Kirlew, also a junior, leads the Hoosiers with 17 tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss.

MSU’s offensive line has garnered praise for its part in aiding Ringer’s early season success.

The line also has pass-blocked well this season, having allowed just one sack.

Left tackle Rocco Cironi will be responsible for protecting Hoyer’s blind-side from Middleton.

EDGE: Indiana — The key reason MSU’s offensive line has only allowed one sack this season is because the Spartans have run the ball nearly 64 percent of the time — although it seems like they’ve done so a lot more.

Middleton and Kirlew have proven they’re two of the best, if not the best, defensive ends in the conference.

Indiana punt returner Marcus Thigpen/kick returner Ray Fisher vs. MSU special teams

The Hoosiers can hurt any team with big plays and the Spartans saw that firsthand last year when Lewis scored on Indiana’s first play of the game on a 59-yard touchdown run.

Thigpen is one of those rare athletes who has the ability to break free at any time. He doubles as a track star for the Hoosiers, taking sixth in the 100-meter dash in the 2007 Big Ten Outdoor Championships with a time of 10.67 seconds.

In order to avoid the big play, the Spartans will need booming kicks from senior kickoff specialist Todd Boleski and high pooch punts from sophomore punter Aaron Bates, who’s done a nice job with those this season.

EDGE: MSU — Thigpen is a speedster, but the Spartans have a variety of weapons on special teams in addition to its specialists.

Junior cornerback Ross Weaver, senior strong safety Otis Wiley and junior linebacker Brandon Denson are just a few of the Spartans who have embraced their roles on special teams by playing with maximum effort and have turned them into an advantage for MSU.