Michigan State vs. Notre Dame: Over/Under, Spread, Predictions and TV Info

Notre Dame returns home to South Bend Saturday, wary from a disappointing 35-31 loss to rival Michigan. This week, they face yet another traditional combatant from the Big Ten—15th-ranked Michigan State.

While the Fighting Irish have tired themselves out against real competition thus far, the Spartans spent the first two weeks piling up points against lesser competition in Youngstown State and Florida Atlantic.

Saturday's game will mark the 75th meeting all-time between these familiar foes, and the 59th time since the two began competing for the Megaphone Trophy.

Where: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana

When: 3:30 PM ET

Watch: NBC

Spread: Notre Dame -4 1/2, according to Bodog.com

Take the Spartans to beat the spread here. Each of the last two meetings between these schools has been decided by a field goal.

Senior quarterback Kirk Cousins has performed well for Michigan State in each of those meetings and should give his team an edge, however slight, over the Irish.

Over/Under: 50 1/2, according to Vegas.com

Go for the over in this game. The Spartans and the Irish have combined for an average of 64 points over the previous two games in this rivalry, and both have already shown this season that they have enough talent on offense to top 30 points apiece. 

Key Injuries

The Irish are banged up at tight end, to say the least. They lost fifth-year senior Mike Ragone to a season-ending knee injury in their season-opening loss to South Florida. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly will welcome Alex Welch (foot infection) and Jake Golic (broken hand) back into the mix, along with freshman Ben Koyack, to compete for playing time in Ragone's place.

The Spartans' offense could be even more explosive this week if Bennie Fowler is cleared to play. The sophomore wide receiver has yet to see the field while recovering from a foot injury but is back in the depth for the Notre Dame game and figures to emerge as a top target for Kirk Cousins.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

A loss for Notre Dame on Saturday virtually guarantees the Irish won't reach a BCS bowl this postseason and drop them well out of sight from the Top 25. Brian Kelly's club could ostensibly win its next eight games after this weekend but would be hard-pressed to push itself into the BCS conversation against No. 6 Stanford in the season finale.

As for the Spartans, they will likely be featured somewhere in the polls regardless of how things turn out in South Bend. Michigan State's BCS hopes will rest much more firmly on how they perform in the Big Ten, though a defeat to Notre Dame would certainly not help.

Keys to Michigan State Win

The Spartans have to be careful not to get cocky heading into this game. As poorly as the Irish have played in the early going, Michigan State can't expect Notre Dame to gift wrap mistakes on which to capitalize. Kirk Cousins and company should know full well how tough it is to beat the Irish, especially after pulling out a win at home last year with a trick play for a touchdown in overtime.

This will be the first real test of the season for Michigan State, making it that much more important for Mark Dantonio's players to be fully prepared both mentally and physically for a hard-fought game against a quality opponent in Week 3.

Keys to Notre Dame Win

Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. It's that simple.

The Irish have proven to be as mistake-prone as any team in the nation this season, giving the ball away five times in each of the first two games. Throw in Notre Dame's 17 penalties for 148 yards last week and the picture grows even clearer.

The Irish do have enough talent on both sides of the ball to win this game. Their success or failure on Saturday will hinge on their ability to hang onto the football and avoid shooting themselves in the foot with mental mistakes and penalties. 

Prediction

Michigan State 35, Notre Dame 31

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