Eastern Michigan @ Michigan State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2008 ) Eastern Michigan 10, Michigan State 42

Michigan State looks to bounce back from a disappointing home loss to Notre Dame when the Spartans host Eastern Michigan on Saturday. The 20-3 defeat wasn't as close as the final score would indicate and dropped Michigan State to No. 20 in the coaches poll. The winless Eagles are coming along at the right time for the Spartans. Eastern Michigan is coming off a 54-16 loss at Purdue and is 0-30 against current members of the Big Ten. Michigan State is 41-7-2 against current members of the Mid-American Conference.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Michigan State -33

ABOUT EASTERN MICHIGAN (0-3): A rocky start to the season doesn't figure to get any better for the Eagles. Eastern Michigan has allowed 122 points, including 31 to Illinois State, a Football Championship Subdivision team. The Eagles have given up an average of 514.3 yards per game. The offense hasn't been much better. Eastern Michigan has averaged 309 yards a game and has committed nine turnovers in three games.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (2-1): Coach Mark Dantonio will likely have his team in a foul mood. And the Spartans have plenty to be upset about after being dominated by the Irish last week. Michigan State's only points came on a 50-yard field goal by Dan Conroy. The Spartans gained only 50 net yards on the ground, and quarterback Andrew Maxwell was sacked four times. The defense held Notre Dame to 1-of-14 on third-down conversions, but that defensive effort was wasted.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan State has won all eight meetings between the teams. The Spartans have won the last five meetings by a combined score of 248-44.

2. While the Eagles are big underdogs, Eastern Michigan coach Ron English had had success against the Spartans. English was a perfect 5-0 against Michigan State while an assistant coach at Michigan from 2003-07.

3. Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell needs needs 90 rushing yards to become the 16th player in program history to reach the 2,000-yard career milestone.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 38, Eastern Michigan 7.