Air Force @ Michigan State preview

Fourth-ranked Michigan State looks to avoid a letdown after a huge victory last weekend when they host Air Force in the first meeting between the two schools. The Spartans come in off a 31-28 victory over Oregon in a battle of top-10 teams, moving them up two spots in the poll, and coach Mark Dantonio is confident his squad can handle any mental challenge.

“We’ve taken a mature outlook,” Dantonio told reporters. “We understand the bottom can fall out at whatever you’re doing at any point in time.” Michigan State has scored 68 points in its first two games and at least 30 in a school-record 10 straight, led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Connor Cook. The Spartans have been in the top 10 in rushing defense the previous four years while allowing 2.1 yards per carry in 2015, and they face an Air Force offense averaging 50 points and 411 yards on the ground. However, the Falcons must make a change at quarterback after starter Nate Romine was lost for the season with a knee injury in last week’s game.

TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Michigan State -26.5

ABOUT AIR FORCE (2-0): The Falcons will turn to senior quarterback Karson Roberts, who attempted 41 passes and rushed for 253 yards in 2013 before playing sparingly last season. Four players total at least 111 yards rushing for Air Force – including Romine -- led by reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week D.J. Johnson (185, 5.8 per carry). Garrett Brown boasts at least one reception in 20 straight games and has rushed for 117 on seven attempts in 2015 for the Falcons, who are 2-0 for the fourth time in nine years under coach Troy Calhoun.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (2-0): Cook has been solid in the opening two games with 448 total passing yards, four touchdown passes and one interception while Aaron Burbridge (12 catches, 218 yards) has been his top target. Dantonio said he will ride the hot running back, and Madre London (162 yards rushing), along with LJ Scott (153), have both been productive. The Spartans have picked off four passes, and linebacker Riley Bullough is coming off a career-best 14-tackle performance that garnered him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cook needs 21 completions to become the fifth Michigan State quarterback with 500 and has 6,511 passing yards – 14 from moving in front of Drew Stanton for third in school history.

2. Air Force is 5-10-2 all time versus the Big Ten and 17-71-4 against nationally-ranked teams.

3. The Spartans meet the Falcons for the first time and have not faced a service academy since losing 10-6 to Army in the 1984 Cherry Bowl.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 38, Air Force 14