IU football had its ‘most inconsistent performance’ on Saturday. Now, it travels to Michigan State preparing for a team that will ‘smack you in the mouth’

Curt Cignetti made it clear — a win is a win and the 31-17 win over Washington for IU football last weekend was among the most gritty they’ve had this season. But, he didn’t mince words after he was able to look back at the film — it wasn’t a clean win in any capacity.

“This past Saturday was probably our most inconsistent performance,” Cignetti said on Monday. “I know all eyes are always on the quarterback. Everybody sees when he throws a completion or incompletion. We had some inconsistency throughout all 11 guys that were playing.”

Indiana is now 8-0 and still sits at 13th overall in the country. There is no more surprising teams at this point in the season — and on the flip side, every team on the schedule for the Hoosiers here on out want to do one thing — take away IU’s undefeated season.

Next up on the horizon is Michigan State, another Big Ten team with a coach in his debut season with the program. Jonathan Smith led Oregon State to one of its best seasons in program history in 2023. Now, he is leading a young but talented Spartans team.

The Spartans are just 4-4 overall but have had their moments this season. Whether it was an early season win over Maryland or holding then No. 3 Oregon to just seven points for nearly the entire first half, or just a one-score loss at Michigan — there have been bright spots for Smith’s team.

But none will be brighter than on Saturday when they have a chance to knock off a top-15 team. And Curt Cignetti knows that.

“They’re going to smack you in the mouth,” Cignetti said of Michigan State. ” … We’re going on the road, playing in front of 70,000 people. I’ve never played there myself. From what I understand, they’re right up on you. Those present new challenges. We’ll be ready if we prepare correctly.”

Preparing correctly starts with the Spartans’ quarterback Aiden Chiles. Chiles has thrown for 1,657 yards but has struggled with turnovers — nine interceptions to just seven passing touchdowns this year. Part of that is dealing with the inconsistent play from his offensive line. Others, just due to being young.

In the first four games, Chiles threw seven interceptions and just four touchdowns. The last four games have been limited to three touchdowns but just two interceptions.

“He played every third series last season, I believe. Watched a lot of their tape in the off-season. Talented guy. Now he’s the starter, so he’s playing more,” Cignetti said of Chiles. “He’s young. Still young. Very talented. Made a lot of good plays.”

From Chiles, Indiana will be tested with Michigan State’s rushing attack. Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams and Nate Adams have run for 459 yards and 412 yards respectively — both averaging at least 4.8 yards per carry.

“He’s going to run the outside zone a couple different ways. Duo, inside zone,” Cignetti said. ” … Have a good play-action game. Also have enough little trickery there to keep you off balance so you’re not overcommitting.

“I think they’re going to line up. They got a couple good backs. They’re going to run that ball and push it down the field in play-action. They go out of pocket with the quarterback. You got to keep him in the pocket when he drops back ’cause he can run around and make plays.”

For IU football, its defense continues to be among the top in the country — likely throwing a wrench into much of what Michigan State wants to do. The Hoosiers rank fourth in the nation in rushing defense, fifth in total defense and seventh in scoring defense.

So come Saturday, nothing changes for the Hoosiers. It’s more of the same that’s carried them through eight weeks.

But, it’ll have to be ready as it continues to have a target on its back.

“You get what you demand,” Cignetti said. “We run a pretty structured, organized, disciplined program. We’ve got a lot of character on this football team. We’ve had some success, so they’re listening pretty good … Want to be fast, physical, relentless but smart, disciplined and poised, too.”

SEE ALSO: There is ‘continued optimism’ that IU football quarterback Kurtis Rourke will play at Michigan State

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