5 things to know for Nebraska’s Big Ten opener at Michigan State

Nebraska football fans have been waiting for the start of Big Ten play. This weekend, Saturday at 4 PM CST, Big Ten play will arrive in East Lansing.

Pat Fitzgerald’s Michigan State team is 2-1. The Spartans beat two MAC teams and also lost a 27-10 road game against Notre Dame.

This game won’t be easy. Nebraska will need to be sharp. The Huskers will need to play a clean game and avoid mistakes on special teams. That’s where the tide could turn.

Looking ahead to Saturday, here are five things to know about Nebraska football against Michigan State, including the odds and how to watch.

Nebraska vs. Michigan State: how to watch

Nebraska and Michgan will play on the Big Ten Network (4 PM CST). Huskers.com will have the radio broadcast. FuboTV and the Fox Sports APP are other the options.

Nebraska vs. Michigan State odds

The Huskers are favored by 5.5 points. The over/under is 48.5. The moneyline is -200 and +180.

The Spartans’ offense has struggled

When it comes to scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense, and passing offense, the Spartans are ranked 89th or lower in every category. MSU did play Notre Dame last week. That explains part of it, but it’s not like this team has been cranking out 50-point efforts.

Alessio Milivojevic is completing 66 percent of his passes for 180 yards per game. He’s also got three touchdown passes and does some things with his legs. He had some good moments against Nebraska last season. Cam Edwards averages 4.4 yards per carry.

If the Spartans are going to give Nebraska problems, it will be in the running game. The front seven seems much improved. Rob Aurich was an upgrade, but there’s only one way to figure if this defense is ready for the Big Ten.

If it can’t stop the running game on Saturday, that will be a worrisome sign.

Taking care of the ball

Michigan State has three turnovers in three games. Nebraska has one. That’s a trend that will need to continue for the Huskers. It feels like this Nebraska team, which averages more than 500 yards of total offense, including 267 on the ground, is better.

Turnovers are one way to even the playing field. Anthony Colandrea has had at least nine interceptions in each of his three college seasons as starter. He’s got one turnover in three games so far. Keeping on that pace Saturday will be essential to leaving Spartan Stadium with a win.

Special teams can stink

Penalties have been an issue. Overall, special teams haven’t been terrible. Some long field goals have been missed. The kick coverage has been good, although the Spartans have the best kickoff return average in the Big Ten, led by former Husker Kenneth Williams.

A big play on special teams spurned Nebraska football to a win last season, when Carter Nelson scored a touchdown on a blocked punt. If that script is flipped, that’s one way to see an upset happening this weekend.

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