Michigan State opponent preview: Indiana defense

The Michigan State Spartans welcome the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers to Spartan Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Indiana is certainly not a cheap 8-0 team. Curt Cignetti’s team has blown opponents out of the water in his first season as head coach at Bloomington.

Michigan State comes into this game deflated after losing a viable rivalry game against Michigan. They must find a way to regain their confidence in one of college football’s most surprising stories.

Unfortunately for a Spartan offense that shows flashes but doesn’t get going, Indiana’s defense is one of the best in college football.

Cignetti’s defensive coordinator is Bryant Haines, who joins him from James Madison. Haines previously served as an assistant at Indiana in 2012.

Haines has a basic 4-3 defense that is fast, physical and aggressive. The Hoosiers have an elite pass rush and won’t be afraid to blitz.

Michigan State has done well against the blitz this season, but Indiana hasn’t allowed teams to have success against them on any level.

The Hoosiers rank fifth in the nation in total defense (269.5 yards allowed per game), 24th in passing defense (183.4 yards allowed per game), fourth in rushing defense (86, 1 yards allowed per game) and seventh in scoring defense (14.1 points). allowed per game).

The Hoosiers are led by linebacker Aiden Fisher, who also followed Cignetti from James Madison to Bloomington. He has 75 tackles on the year, which ranks 11th in college football. He has done a great job leading the defense as a middle linebacker and consistently blowing up plays.

In Indiana’s pass rush, there are several bodies that can get after the quarterback, namely Mikail Kamara, who leads the team in sacks with seven. Kamara has put himself on NFL Draft boards by showing off his elite explosiveness from the edge.

James Carpenter has three sacks, while Tyrique Tucker has two. Michigan State’s offensive line must be a match for this dangerous Hoosiers front.

Not only does Indiana get after the quarterback and stop the run, but they also do a good job of not letting the quarterbacks get beat over the top. Led by D’Angelo Ponds, who, you guessed it, transferred from James Madison, the Indiana high school has shut down opposing offenses.

This is yet another elite defense Spartans will be confronted. Things are coming together on that side of the ball, but their turnover issues can’t exist if they want a chance to take down this impressive Indiana team.

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