GAME NOTES: Big Ten rivals meet this Saturday in Bloomington as the Indiana Hoosiers play host to the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. The Spartans have not gotten off to the start that they had hoped in 2004, having won just one of their first three contests. They suffered a 31-24 loss last weekend at home to Notre Dame, marking just the second loss to the Fighting Irish in their last eight meetings. Despite the setback, the Spartans are still an impressive 17-6 against non-conference opponents since 1999. As for the Hoosiers, they were dealt their first loss of the year last weekend by Kentucky. The Wildcats outlasted Indiana, 51-32, marking the team's second straight game away from Bloomington. The Hoosiers have the luxury of playing their next two contests at home, but those games will be played against these Spartans and the always imposing Michigan Wolverines (October 2nd). This matchup will mark the 53rd all-time meeting between these two schools, with the Spartans holding a 37-13-2 series advantage. MSU has also won seven of the last eight meetings, including a 31-3 victory last season in East Lansing.

Although MSU scored 24 points in its loss to Notre Dame last weekend, only 10 of those points were scored by the team's offense. QB Drew Stanton had the offense's lone touchdown, finishing with 49 rushing yards on just eight carries. Jehuu Caulcrick led the team on the ground with 85 rushing yards and was able to average an impressive 5.7 ypc. QB Stephen Reaves started the game for the Spartans but had his worst showing of the year, completing just 7- of-20 pass attempts for 66 yards and three interceptions. Stanton replaced Reaves under center and played considerably better, throwing for 110 yards on 8-of-12 passing. MSU finished with only 176 passing yards as a team in the setback and also converted only 4-of-14 third-down opportunities. Although Jason Teague had only 21 yards on the ground against Notre Dame, he is still leading the Spartans this season with 174 rushing yards and one touchdown. The running attack has not been the team's problem, instead it has been inconsistency at quarterback. Three players have spent time under center for MSU, combining to complete just 49.5 percent of their passes for 638 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. Stanton could be given the nod at quarterback this weekend for the Spartans.

Notre Dame's offense pretty much had its way with MSU's defense last week, gaining 388 total yards. The Fighting Irish controlled the tempo of the game by imposing its will on the ground, rushing for 173 yards and two scores. Eric Smith finished as the team's leading tackler with 12 stops and also recovered a fumble and broke up a pass. Jason Harmon chipped in with 11 stops and fumble recovery, while Jaren Hayes, Clifton Ryan and Kevin Vickerson each had a quarterback sack. Stopping the run continues to be the soft spot for MSU, which is allowing opponents to run for 194.3 ypg. That being said, the pass defense has shown promise, giving up just 183 ypg and one passing touchdown. Smith currently has a squad-best 36 tackles (21 solo) for the Spartans, while Ronald Stanley has 31 stops and 2.5 TFLs. Jason Harmon and Tyrell Dortch have the squads only two interceptions through three games, but Roderick Maples has been able to post an impressive six broken up passes already.

Indiana's offense did its part in the loss to Kentucky, finishing with 412 total yards of offense and 176 yards on the ground. It was also the third straight game that the Hoosiers had been able to score 30 or more points. BenJarvus Green-Ellis had another outstanding game at tailback, finishing with 115 rushing yards on 23 carries (5.0 ypc). Green-Ellis now has five 100-yard rushing performances under his belt in only his sophomore campaign with the Hoosiers. Chris Taylor had the squad's only rushing touchdown of the game and was able to run for 32 yards off of five attempts. Quarterback Matt LoVecchio had one of his best games under center for the Hoosiers, throwing for 236 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Courtney Roby was once again LoVecchio's target of choice, hauling in seven receptions for 184 yards and two scores. Roby's performance marked the fourth-best single-game receptions and second-best reception yardage single-game totals of his career. The talented wideout now has 16 receptions for 286 yards and three touchdowns this season. The next leading receiver on the team is Travis Haney, who has just three catches for 71 yards.

The play of Indiana's defense last weekend was nothing short of horrific. The Hoosiers not only gave up 51 points, but also 28 first down, 560 yards of total offense and 355 yards on the ground. Kentucky was allowed to convert 6- of-13 third-down opportunities and score all seven times it entered Indiana's red-zone. Kyle Killion finished as the team's leading tackler with 13 stops, 10 of which were solo tackles. Paul Szczesny contributed with 11 tackles and a TFL, while Kenny Kendal had the team's only sack of the game to go along with five stops, two TFLs and two forced fumbles. Indiana's struggles on defense will continue to be an area of concern for head coach Gerry DiNardo. His squad is currently giving up over 481 ypg of total offense and opponents are running all over the Hoosiers at 215.7 ypg. Killion has been one of the few bright spots on this side of the ball, leading the team in tackles (32), TFLs (4.5) and sacks (three). He has also recorded an interception, a forced fumble and fumble recovery this year.

Indiana's offense should be able to put some points up on the board against these Spartans, but it will be the play of the Hoosier defense which decides the outcome of the game. If MSU again gets inconsistent play from the quarterback position, Indiana should be able to squeak out a home win.

Predicted Outcome

Indiana 31, Michigan State 30