Michigan State @ Nebraska preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 7, 2015 ) Michigan State 38, Nebraska 39

Michigan State looks to bounce back from a tough loss when it travels to face a resurgent Nebraska squad in a Big Ten Conference matchup Saturday. The Spartans fell to No. 8 Ohio State at home 26-6 last week, while the Cornhuskers won for the third time in four games, topping Illinois 54-35.

The Michigan State offense struggled against the Buckeyes, with coach Mark Dantonio going back and forth between quarterbacks Brian Lewerke and Rocky Lombardi as neither had much success. As much as the offense has struggled, the Spartans' defense has been outstanding, leading the nation in rushing defense (76.5 yards per game) and ranking 14th in third-down conversion defense (.320), led by defensive end Kenny Willekes (Big Ten-best 17 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks). Nebraska will give Michigan State defense a test, though, as the Cornhuskers have averaged 45.8 points over their last four contests. Freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez is at the helm of coach Scott Frost's offense, throwing for 2,212 yards and 15 touchdowns, while running back Devine Ozigbo is the top ground gainer (958 yards, 12 touchdowns) for a Cornhuskers running game that ranks 22nd in the country (226.5 yards per game).

TV: Noon ET, FOX. LINE: Michigan State -2.5

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten): Dantonio has been playing a juggling game at quarterback with Lewerke, a junior, limited because of a sore shoulder but the more experienced of the two Spartans signal callers, and the freshman Lombardi. Lewerke remains listed as the starter on the team's depth chart, but he was 11-of-28 for 128 yards and an interception against Ohio State. Lombardi was 7-of-20 for 92 yards, rushed for a team-best 49 yards and led the only two Michigan State scoring drives against the Buckeyes but was pulled in the fourth quarter in favor of Lewerke after a pair of turnovers, making it anyone's guess who Dantonio will go with this week and for how long.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (3-7, 2-5): The Nebraska defense hasn't been exactly stout this season, allowing 33.8 points and 449.4 yards per contest, but the Cornhuskers have started to create turnovers in the last few games, which has coincided with the team starting to pick up wins as well. Nebraska had five takeaways last week versus Illinois, the most by the team since having six in the second game of the 2016 season, and the Cornhuskers have recorded three or more takeaways in each of the past three contests. Safety Deontai Williams and cornerback Lamar Jackson each have two interceptions to lead the team while three safeties -- Tre Neal, Williams and JoJo Domann -- lead the Cornhuskers with two forced fumbles apiece.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan State is the only team in the FBS to use five different punters this season, with redshirt freshman walk-on Bryce Baringer and freshman walk-on William Przystup splitting the duties last week.

2. Nebraska WR Stanley Morgan Jr. needs four receptions and 91 receiving yards in the final two games to become the school's career leader in both categories.

3. Ozigbo passed the 2,000-yard career rushing plateau last week (2,072) and needs 42 to be the first 1,000-yard rusher for the Cornhuskers since 2014.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 27, Michigan State 21