Minnesota @ Michigan State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) Minnesota 8, Michigan State 31

THE STORY: No. 16 Michigan State finds itself in a three-way tie with Nebraska and Michigan atop the Big Ten Legends Division entering this home tilt with Minnesota. The Spartans had a chance to essentially seal the division championship last weekend, but they put together a miserable offensive performance in a 24-3 loss to the Huskers. Now they’ll look to get back on track against the Golden Gophers, who just recorded their first conference win of the season in a surprising upset of Iowa.

The Spartans have won 20 of the last 26 meetings in this series, including last year’s 31-8 victory in East Lansing.

TV: Big Ten Network LINE: Michigan State -27.5

ABOUT MINNESOTA (2-6, 1-3 Big Ten): Before their 22-21 win over Iowa, the Golden Gophers had been outscored by an average 37.7 points in their first three Big Ten games. But something clicked last weekend, as Minnesota rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit and knocked off the Hawkeyes on Marquies Gray’s touchdown from two yards out on fourth down in the closing minutes. The Golden Gophers still rank either 11th or 12th in the conference in virtually significant statistical category, but they were able to forget about that and now look to build a little bit of momentum in the season’s final month.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten): Everything went wrong for the Spartans in their loss at Nebraska last weekend. Not only did the defense give up 130 yards and three touchdowns to Husker tailback Rex Burkhead, but Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins had one of the worst games of his career, totaling only 86 yards on 11-of-27 passing. Still, though, the Spartans lead the Big Ten and are in the Top 15 nationally in passing defense, rush defense and total defense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan State has allowed opponents only one play of 40 or more yards and only 15 trips inside the red zone, both of which are the third lowest in the FBS.

2. The average margin of victory over the last five games in this series is 20 points.

3. Minnesota ranks 112th in the country in scoring offense (18.0) and 105th in scoring defense (34.0).

PREDICTION: Michigan State 35, Minnesota 3 -- The Spartans will bounce back with a strong defensive effort, giving the Gophers a lot of problems moving the ball.