Michigan State @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 17, 2009 ) Northwestern 14, Michigan State 24

Off to a 7-0 start for the first time since 1966, No. 8 Michigan State puts its lofty ranking on the line Saturday when it visits rested Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill.

The Spartans improved to 3-0 in conference play with a stifling 26-6 win over Illinois last week. It was the second straight game in which coach Mark Dantonio worked from the press box, following his heart attack last month. It is unclear when he will return to the sideline.

Thanks to Ohio State’s loss at Wisconsin, Michigan State is the Big Ten’s highest ranked team.

The Spartans are angling for their first BCS bowl in history and are inching toward the national championship conversation. Their last major bowl appearance came in 1988, when they beat Southern Cal 20-17.

This is the Spartans’ first 2010 foray outside the state of Michigan. The Spartans lead the all-time series with Northwestern 34-16, including a 24-14 win last year in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State is a complete team which ranks 25th nationally in scoring (34.4 points per game) and 17th in points allowed (16.6). The Spartans have forced 18 turnovers and are plus-8 in that category.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins, who sustained minor shoulder and ankle injuries in the win over the Illini, said he’ll be fine for Saturday. He’s thrown for more than 1,600 yards, with 11 touchdowns against four interceptions.

Despite being held to 23 yards on eight carries by Illinois, Edwin Baker is averaging 100.9 rushing yards per game.

Linebacker Greg Jones (14 tackles last week) leads a swarming Spartans' defense that’s playing well at all three levels.

Northwestern (5-1, 1-1) has been off since losing 20-17 to Purdue on Oct. 9. It was a heartbreaking loss in which Stefan Demos pulled a 45-yard field goal wide right with under a minute left.

The Wildcats will need a huge game Saturday from junior quarterback Dan Persa, who is completing a remarkable 78 percent of his throws. Persa ranks fifth nationally in total offense (326.3 yards per game). His favorite target is slot receiver Jeremy Ebert, who leads Northwestern with 35 catches for 560 yards and five touchdowns.

The Wildcats are hopeful defensive end Vince Browne, who has a team-high five sacks, will play Saturday after missing the second half of the Purdue loss with a shoulder injury.

He’s essential to a defense that’s been surprisingly stingy, giving up 18.3 points per game.

It is homecoming for Northwestern, which is facing a ranked opponent for the first time since it upset Wisconsin last November.