The Wildcats are coming off a 38-31 win over Iowa two weeks ago, and have had two weeks to prepare for the Spartans after their bye week.

TAKEAWAYS

1. Quarterback controversy is present but unwanted 

In MSU’s contest against BYU, Dantonio and his staff made the decision to pull fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor and replace him with junior Damion Terry. Terry threw an interception on his first drive but led a scoring drive on his next.

Now, the depth chart headed into Northwestern lists three co-starters at the quarterback position –– O’Connor, Terry and redshirt-freshman Brian Lewerke. Dantonio, however, maintains he does not want a quarterback controversy.

“I would say we don't want to have a quarterback controversy, but we need to have more production,” Dantonio said. “That's what led to this. We need to throw the ball down the field more effectively. That's play-calling and that's execution and route running, things of that nature.”

Dantonio also mentioned the importance for “number six (Terry)” is to stay healthy and gain some consistency. He added that Lewerke might not have experience, but it would be unfair to not include him in the competition. Dantonio said quarterbacks will not be available to media this week, and it appears Spartan fans will not know who is under center until Saturday.

2. Dantonio’s message to fans

Dantonio and his staff have come under scrutiny the last two weeks, primarily from fans heckling for change at the quarterback position, and as of late, for the play-calling to be switched up. Once again, Dantonio reiterated he would “absolutely not” take over the offensive play-calling from co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner.

Although the Spartans have had a troubling start first five games, Dantonio wanted the fans to know how he felt about their scrutiny of the team and why they should stay hopeful.

“My message to our fans is we're working,” Dantonio said. “We're going to be strong, stay the course. Spartan fans are Spartan fans. If you want to jump off the bandwagon a little bit, I understand a little bit, because people are fickle, success is fickle. But I think that we've built some equity around here hopefully. We've done it right. We've done it the right way. I think we've done it in a positive fashion and with class.”

3. Depth chart notes

Other than the quarterback position, the depth chart had a number of changes from the week before. Offensive lineman Brandon Clemons, who previously played defensive tackle for MSU, is now listed exclusively as backup defensive tackle to Kevin Williams, but Dantonio said he can play both ways.

The offensive line now shows redshirt-freshman Tyler Higby, who started last week, as the start at left guard with former right tackle David Beedle behind him. Fifth-year senior Kodi Kieler remains at left tackle and fifth-year senior Benny McGowan and junior Brian Allen are listed at co-starters at center and right guard.

Senior Darian Hicks, who left the game against Indiana with a hip injury, is listed at starter. Other cornerback news includes freshman wide receiver Justin Layne, who saw some time at cornerback against BYU, listed as backup cornerback to Vayante Copeland, leapfrogging redshirt-freshman Josh Butler, who hasn’t seen much action this season.

Senior Riley Bullough will remain out, but Dantonio said he is very close to return. Shane Jones remains the starter at linebacker for Northwestern.

4. Young lineman stepping up

Higby, whose strong play in practice and in brief appearances against Indiana led him to start against BYU, now is listed as starter for the second consecutive week.

In addition, young players like freshman Thiyo Lukusa and redshirt-freshman Cole Chewins have impressed Dantonio. Chewins did see time against BYU when Kieler left briefly with injury, and Lukusa has seen time against both Indiana and Wisconsin.

“Cole Chewins is getting his weight up there, he's 280 pounds, now he's getting big enough to play,” Dantonio said. “He's a guy we recruited to that aspect. He's an extremely hard worker and a he's gifted athlete. He'll play football for us. He's a redshirt-freshman, so he's coming. Those opportunities that he got I think were warranted. How he performs beyond that.”

5. Containing Thorson, Jackson, and Carr

Last week, dual-threat quarterback Taysom Hill had success running and throwing against the Spartan defense, and they face a similar situation in Northwestern sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson, who has thrown for 1,120 yards and eight touchdowns and carried the ball 43 times for 184 yards and two scores this season.

He is helped in the ground game by junior running back Justin Jackson, who has 510 yards and four touchdowns while averaging just under five yards per carry. Thorson’s favorite target, senior receiver Austin Carr, currently leads the Big Ten in receptions with 32, receiving yards with 465, receiving yards per game with 93 and touchdown receptions with six.

“Yeah, he's (Jackson) tough, might not be as big, he's 193 pounds,” Dantonio said. “He has over 3,000 yards now, which I think is the fourth time maybe that's ever been accomplished at Northwestern. He's only a junior. He gives them a guy that can catch the ball, as well. I think he does a nice job in pass protection, as well. He's tough. Thorson is a run-pass guy. He's been very effective.”

It’ll be key to watch how often Thorson looks in Carr’s direction, as he has 21 more receptions than any other member of Northwestern’s football team, or how often he winds up trying to run on the Spartan defense, who showed vulnerability to that against BYU last week. Jackson is a major factor in the backfield, being as quick and explosive as he is.