Joel Nitchman News

EAST LANSING - At the skill positions on offense, Michigan State is considered a very young team - with a sophomore quarterback and two true freshman running backs.

The Big Ten conference announced its annual football award winners Monday night and several MSU players were honored.

Senior wide receiver Blair White, who joined the Spartans as a walk-on, says although the team won't reach its goal of playing in the Rose Bowl, it still has a shot at a "nice bowl" with a win Saturday against Penn State.

Going into the final game of the regular season last year, Michigan State entered Happy Valley with high stakes and high hopes.

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State's running game appeared to be on the upswing during a three-game winning streak in October.

EAST LANSING - Saturday's game against Western Michigan was supposed to be a tune-up for Michigan State entering the final stretch of the Big Ten race.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio took a bunker mentality to his press conference Tuesday.

Very troubling game for the Spartans. Coach Mark Dantonio's team has three starters out because of injury.

Michigan State University football coach Mark Dantonio summed it up best when talking about the Michigan vs.

Michigan State senior wideout and co-captain Blair White says the team has worked hard under coach Mark Dantonio to not take any opponent for granted, adding, "After the big win against Michigan, we can't just die out." EAST LANSING -- Michigan State altered the course of history with its 26-20 victory overtime victory against Michigan.

Michigan State's "pound, green, pound" mentality didn't disappear once All-American Javon Ringer and his 390 carries left town.

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State will look for any advantage it can find against Michigan on Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

The MSU football team nearly is halfway though the season and the quarterback battle that was the talk of the offseason is still the talk of midseason.

MADISON, Wis. -- After starting quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a bad interception in the first quarter, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio sent him back in for the next series.

Michigan State knew that the offensive line would be one of its weaknesses at the start of the season, having to replace two players on the right side.

East Lansing -- Despite a second straight game lost late in the fourth quarter, Michigan State isn't expected to make many drastic changes after Saturday's 33-30 heartbreaker at Notre Dame.

It's the painful reality - " and the beauty - of sport. They don't grade 'em. They just count 'em. Michigan State's 33-30 offering at Notre Dame Stadium was no exception.

South Bend, Ind. --Michigan State could get some help Saturday from two newcomers in its 3:30 p.m. game against Notre Dame.

East Lansing -- Michigan State could get its starting center back for Saturday's visit to Notre Dame after missing the past six quarters of play because of an injury.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, Which team will reign supreme on Saturday afternoon? Irish fan Dan Scofield and I go head-to-head analyzing the rivalry matchup between Notre Dame and Michigan State.