The Indiana–Michigan State football rivalry dates back to October 28, 1922 and is symbolized by the “Old Brass Spittoon,” awarded annually to the victor Michigan State holds a commanding lead in the all-time series (50–19–2), but the momentum has shifted recently: Indiana edged out a 47–10 triumph in East Lansing on November 2, 2024
That rout—marked by 47 straight Indiana points—had big implications. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke passed for 263 yards and four touchdowns, with Amare Ferrell snagging a multi-interception game (africa.espn.com). Indiana nullified MSU’s rushing offense (–36 rushing yards!)—a record defensive performance for IU (reddit.com).
Michigan State, meanwhile, endured an early season collapse under new head coach Jonathan Smith, finishing the game with only 10 points—their only tally in the first quarter (africa.espn.com). Smith admitted afterward that MSU “got exposed … when you don’t execute very well” (freep.com).
What Went Wrong for MSU?
- Offensive struggles: MSU was held to 193 total net yards—163 via rushing and 229 total offense—and succumbed to four Rourke TD passes (en.wikipedia.org).
- Player interruptions and staff turnover: The season followed the turmoil of Mel Tucker’s firing and interim management .
- Inertia: Indiana’s defense held MSU to just seven rushing first downs and stifled their offense for large stretches (iuhoosiers.com).
- Rejuvenation under Jonathan Smith: A️fter rebuilding, Smith is stressing consistency—something missing against the Hoosiers (freep.com).
- Indiana’s red-zone dominance: They scored on 83% of their red-zone trips and averaged 46.5 PPG, ranking second nationally (bvmsports.com).
- MSU defense vs. IU offense: MSU’s defensive line must pressure Penix Jr. and disrupt the IU run-heavy attack (Michael Penix Jr., Stevie Scott III, Sampson James) (si.com).
- Ball control is critical: IU leads the Big Ten in takeaways; MSU’s turnover rate was nine in just three games (si.com).
- Emotion of the Spittoon: Indiana’s undefeated vibe and MSU’s desire to reclaim home turf inject ample intensity (en.wikipedia.org).
Recent Matchup at Breslin Center
On February 11, 2025, Indiana handed Michigan State a 71–67 upset in East Lansing, marking MSU’s first home loss of the season (assemblycall.com). Several factors stood out:
- Zone defense switch: Indiana’s zoning in the second half suffocated MSU’s perimeter game—they shot just 4‑for‑23 from three-point range (assemblycall.com, insidethehall.com).
- Post dominance: Malik Reneau (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Oumar Ballo overwhelmed MSU’s interior defenders (assemblycall.com).
- Foul trouble: MSU bigs Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper were hampered by fouls, limiting their impact (insidethehall.com).
- Clutch free throws: Indiana sank 18 free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal victory .
- Legacy moment delayed: The sentimental storyline of Tom Izzo nearing Bob Knight’s Big Ten win record was paused by this defeat .
- Illinois exploited MSU’s Achilles’ heel: Key shooters struggled with zone coverage, as MSU sits near the bottom in three-point percentage (~29% before the game) .
- Interior defense lacking: Indiana attacked off the block; MSU lacked a true defensive anchor to counter Reneau and Ballo .
- Coaching reaction: Postgame, coach Izzo acknowledged flaws in player execution and staff preparation (insidethehall.com).
Despite the loss, MSU rebounded strongly, clinching a tie atop the Big Ten with wins over Michigan and Maryland (en.wikipedia.org). Meanwhile, Indiana remains a wild card: inconsistent, but capable—especially with interior scorers Reneau and Ballo (assemblycall.com).
On the Gridiron:
- Clean up turnovers: Ball security is paramount—Indiana thrives on takeaways (iuhoosiers.com).
- Offensive identity: Leverage MSU’s average 137 rush yards per game—beat IU’s porous front (160.9 rush yards allowed/game) (thehoosiernetwork.com).
- Defensive adjustments: Pressure the QB; IU’s strength lies in red-zone efficiency (83%) and interconnected run/pass game .
- Emotional resolve: Emphasize rivalry hunger and hash out adjustments learned from the 47–10 drubbing .
- Prepare for zone: Develop strong rotation, ball movement, and paint focus to counter IU’s mid-court setup .
- Reinforce interior defense: Match up better against IU bigs, especially in foul situations .
- Prioritize floor spacing and free throws: Spread shooters, drive the lane, and convert at the line to prevent late-game free-throw losses .
- Mental toughness: Reset post-Izzo milestone disappointment; shift focus back to fundamentals and adaptability.
Dates to Watch
- Football: Next meeting set for October 18, 2025 in East Lansing (en.wikipedia.org).
- Football: Regular season ends in November—MSU will eye redemption post the previous October loss.
- Basketball: Future matchups will depend on Big Ten scheduling post-2023 expansions.
Trends & Predictions
- Indiana’s football squad continues trending upward with elite QB play, a dynamic run game, and stingy red-zone defense—Poised to claim another brass spittoon.
- MSU’s football team remains inconsistent but is building foundations under Coach Smith. Their chances hinge on discipline and turnover mitigation.
- In basketball, Indiana remains a spoiler with their zone and post play; MSU looks to adapt through tactical changes and personnel adjustments.
- Football: MSU’s redemption lies in addressing systemic mistakes—turnovers, execution breakdowns, strategic game planning, and emotional readiness at home.
- Basketball: It hinges on learning from lessons in zone offense, bolstering interior toughness, and executing with composure in crunch time.
- Football: MSU is set to wage a comeback after a lopsided October 2024 loss. The focus? Ball control, emotional edge, and red-zone discipline.
- Basketball: MSU must neutralize Indiana’s zone, stop the interior feed, and ensure consistency through strategy and mindset.
- Where redemption thrives: It’s not in brute resilience alone, but in learning from past failures, adapting under pressure, and reclaiming the pride of East Lansing. like a sharper breakdown of key players, plays, or match highlights. And I can dig deeper into Indiana’s blueprint for dominating these games—or Michigan State’s master plan for a comeback.
