Michigan State football: What we learned, what to watch vs. Illinois

EAST LANSING — Looking back at Michigan State football’s 47-10 loss to No. 10 Indiana and looking ahead to the Spartans’ bye week and ensuing trip to Illinois.

Next up for the Spartans: Illinois Fighting Illini

Matchup: Michigan State (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten) at Illinois (6-3, 3-3).

Kickoff: Time TBD, Nov. 16; Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

TV/radio: TV TBD, WJR-AM (760).

Know the foe

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 2: Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate after a fumble by Luke Altmyer #9 of the Illinois Fighting Illini sealing the win for Minnesota at Memorial Stadium on November 2, 2024 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

FALLING BACK: Michigan State football suddenly goes from best version to worst in Indiana loss

Bret Bielema’s team started hot and sat just outside the top 20 after beating Michigan on Oct. 19. But the Illini have dropped three of their past five games, including their last two, and fell out of the coaches poll on Sunday. The latest loss Saturday came at home against Minnesota, a 25-17 defeat that followed a 38-9 loss at No. 1 Oregon a week earlier. Illinois ranks tied for 96th in total offense (356 yards per game) and 84th in scoring (24.9 points), while its defense is 67th in yards allowed (365.4) and 32nd in points permitted (21.1). Two of the Illini’s three Big Ten wins came in overtime — 31-24 at Nebraska on Sept. 20 and 50-49 at home to Purdue on Oct. 12. Junior quarterback Luke Altmyer, a 2023 transfer from Ole Miss, has averaged 210.3 yards per game while completing 62.8% of his passes with 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions. The Illini offense ranks 89th in rushing (142.4 yards) while their defense is 76th against the run (154 yards). Like MSU, Illinois is off this week before the two meet for the first time since 2022, when the Spartans went on the road…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-learned-watch-194401873.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2024-11-03 19:44:01

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.