The words "success" and "Indiana football" have historically been antonyms. But this season in Bloomington, IN, has been different.
After a setback loss against Michigan, MSU looks ahead to the 8-0 Indiana Hoosiers this weekend at Spartan Stadium.
Between opening up the ground attack in a 12-point win over Iowa on Oct. 19 and the early display against Michigan, MSU's offensive line has turned a corner with its efficiency.
With the headlines all week being Michigan's desperate quarterback situation and MSU's handling of Iowa last weekend, it was the Spartans' inability to capitalize on good drives that ended up the story.
In an up-for-grabs matchup at the Big House against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday night, MSU football ended up in the losing column for the third straight time against its most heated rival.
Rivalry week has returned to the state of Michigan for the 117th time as Saturday's Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy will be won in Ann Arbor. With both teams at 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten, there's a lot on the line, mostly bragging rights for the next 11-12 months.
While Michigan football still has its physical, run-first identity, will play in front of over 100,000 fans at the Big House and has the last laugh in the rivalry, MSU's program enters Saturday with more momentum.
This Saturday, Oct. 26 will mark the 117th meeting between the in-state rivals. Here are some of MSU's best performances against Michigan since 2010.
Entering the 117th Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy this Saturday in Ann Arbor, MSU and Michigan's records are identical. But after losing 49-0 a year ago to the Wolverines at home, MSU has gained considerable momentum compared to its bitter rival, highlighted by a clear gap between each team's situation under center.
This year's battle for the Paul Bunyan trophy between MSU and University of Michigan will likely feature a more level playing field in Ann Arbor, both teams just seven games into new regimes under first-year head coaches.
MSU football freshman Marsh was awarded Big Ten Freshman of the Week Monday after catching eight passes for 113 yards. Kicker Jonathan Kim earnedBig Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors after making six field goals, a single-game program record.
MSU football bested Iowa 32-20 on Saturday, winning in the trenches against a stout Hawkeye squad. The story of the game, however, was the response of a young quarterback who struggled through the first half of the season and faced a pivotal moment Saturday in his first season as a starter.
What shaped up to be Iowa's game to lose in the trenches became a party for a struggling MSU run game of late. The Spartans totaled 118 rushing yards to Iowa’s 28 in the first half and ended the game with a 212-133 rushing yards advantage.
Coming off three straight losses and a needed bye week, MSU football can either flip the script against Iowa Saturday or drop its fourth in a row. The Spartans are at a crossroads.
