TV/radio:
7 p.m Saturday; WLS Ch. 7, WLS-AM 890.
Line:
Michigan State by 6.
Records:
Notre Dame 2-0; Michigan State 2-0.
Last meeting:
Notre Dame won 31-13 on Sept. 17, 2011 in South Bend, Ind.
ON THE OFFENSIVE:
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Does QB Everett Golson know what he’s doing, and can the Irish compensate in a road din? If not, the offense will struggle to move with William Gholston, Max Bullough & Co. geared to stuff the run.
GETTING DEFENSIVE:
Notre Dame’s front four, featuring DE Stephon Tuitt and NG Louis Nix, is coming into its own. That should keep RB Le’Veon Bell contained. Can Irish get a big, game-turning play here?
THE NUMBER:
10. Michigan State victories, in 11 chances, over the last two years in games decided by 10 points or less.
THE TALK:
The Irish won two games they needed to win but still provoked some questions, particularly at quarterback. A loss here is far from debilitating, but a victory injects rocket fuel into this team’s potential.
BRIAN HAMILTON’S PICK:
Unpredictability reigns when the No. 20 Irish and 10th-ranked Spartans clash. Seems like a low-scoring, hotly contested game is inevitable. Which may mean lunacy ensues.
Michigan State 20, Notre Dame 13.