Michigan State @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 30, 2013 ) Minnesota 3, Michigan State 14

No. 22 Michigan State is ranked for the first time this season and will look to keep its momentum moving forward when it visits Minnesota for a Big Ten matchup on Saturday. The Spartans are coming off an upset at then-No. 7 Michigan, while the Golden Gophers return home after a second straight last-minute loss at Purdue.

Coach Mark Dantonio has his team back in the title hunt in the Big Ten thanks to a defense that has allowed 14 or fewer points in four of its five contests while ranking second in the country in pass efficiency defense and fourth in total defense (258.6 yards per game). Offensively, sophomore quarterback Brian Lewerke has been outstanding, leading the team in passing (1,057 yards, nine touchdowns) and rushing (309, three) and ranking third in the conference in total offense (273.2 yards per game). Minnesota has been tied or in the lead in the last five minutes of its two conference losses, so coach P.J. Fleck isn’t panicking and will stay with Conor Rhoda (786 yards, five TDs) at quarterback. Injuries have hurt the Golden Gophers in recent weeks, and Fleck will have to replace four sidelined starters – three on defense – for this week’s game.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Michigan State -4

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten): The Spartans are averaging 181.6 yards on the ground, even with no running back stepping forward and giving consistent production. Junior LJ Scott hasn’t lived up to expectations, averaging only 53.5 yards, and didn’t play against Michigan because of a minor undisclosed injury, while Madre London and Gerald Holmes split time against the Wolverines - although neither is averaging even 35 yards. Dantonio continues to say he’ll rotate all three backs and if one gets hot, he’ll try to ride him more, but the lack of consistent production by any of the three is becoming a concern.

ABOUT MINNESOTA (3-2, 0-2): Fleck isn't planning on changing quarterbacks this week, but that doesn't mean he's going to have Rhoda try to pass the Gophers to victory, especially with wide receiver Phillip Howard out after suffering a head injury in the loss to Purdue. The freshman was hurt on the second play from scrimmage and Fleck turned to his ground game, running the ball 47 times for 227 yards while passing only 25 times for 101 yards. Throw in Rhoda's two turnovers deep in Boilermakers territory, the return to the lineup of center Jared Weyler and Michigan State's solid pass defense, and it's very likely Fleck and the Gophers will be going with the ground attack quite a bit when they have the ball.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Minnesota leads the Big Ten and is eighth in the nation in fewest penalties committed with 21 through five games, which is less than half of what the team had through five contests last season (43).

2. Michigan State had a turnover margin of minus-6 through the first three games of the season but is plus-7 over its last two contests without a single turnover by the offense.

3. Spartans S David Dowell made two interceptions against Michigan last week, becoming the first MSU player to record two in one game since Trae Wayes in 2014 against Nebraska.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 31, Minnesota 17