After taking down Nebraska last weekend, Michigan State’s schedule for October suddenly looks pretty soft. Purdue, the Spartans’ next opponent on Saturday, is up next and certainly has a lot to do with that, but afterward, MSU faces Indiana and Michigan before hosting Ohio State Nov. 8. That situates Michigan State in “just take care of business” mode this weekend against a Purdue team seeking its first winning streak of the season.
How to watch Michigan State vs. Purdue: Game guide, TV schedule, streaming, odds
After a huge Week 6 game, the Spartans roll into West Lafayette to meet a mismatched Boilermakers squad.
Against the Huskers, the Spartans raced out to 27-0 first-half lead and held on for a 27-22 win. Better second-half play will of course be the order moving forward, but should also not be a problem vs. the Boilermakers. Purdue ranks 105th with 351.8 yards per game and 84th with 26.2 points per game.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC/ESPN2 (Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Jeannine Edwards)
Radio: Michigan State, Purdue
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Our sites on these teams
The numbers
Rankings and records: Michigan State is 4-1 (1-0 Big Ten) and ranked No. 8 in both polls. Purdue is 3-3 (1-1) and unranked.
Vegas: Michigan State opened as a 21.5-point favorite and is now favored by 21 points. The over/under is set at 51.
Weather forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 60 and low of 45 with a 10-percent chance of rain.
Two things at stake
For Michigan State, a loss to Purdue would severely derail the aforementioned momentum and really, perhaps permanently, screw over the Big Ten’s reputation. More seriously, MSU is tied atop the Big Ten East with Ohio State, which is looking better and better by the week. The two teams would certainly like to be undefeated in Big Ten play entering their November meeting.
Purdue, meanwhile, would move to 2-1 in the Big Ten East with a win, and that’s solid footing in a really weak division.
One big matchup
Connor Cook vs. Purdue's passing defense: Cook had somewhat of an off game vs. Nebraska, going 11 of 29 for 234 yards, one touchdown and an interception. The good news is that Purdue ranks 106th in passing defense (269.5 yards allowed per game). Against the only other "good" offense it's faced thus far, Notre Dame, Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson went 25 of 40 for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
Further reading
For more on Michigan State, check out The Only Colors. For more on Purdue, Hammer and Rails is your go-to destination.
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