When Dantonio’s No. 13 Spartans (9-1 overall, 6-0 Big Ten) travel to Northwestern (4-6, 0-6) for a noon matchup, they’ll face a team navigating plight and misfortune similar to MSU’s underwhelming 7-6 campaign last year. Both schools began the season with high hopes (MSU was ranked No. 13 to begin 2012, Northwestern ranked No. 22 at the start of this year) before arriving at a harsh reality filled with narrow losses and what-if moments.

The 2012 Spartans lost five conference games — including a 23-20 decision to the Wildcats — by a total of 3 points, most of which hinged on a handful of critical plays, penalties or decisions. Since reeling off four straight wins to begin the season, Northwestern has lost six in a row, but only once by more than 10 points, with two losses occurring in overtime.

Stakes are high for both squads. With a win, MSU clinches the Legends Division and books its trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Football Championship Game. Northwestern needs to beat the Spartans — as well as Illinois the following week — to salvage its season with a bowl trip.

“The thing that you continue to be impressed (with) about Northwestern is (that) they’re resilient, which I thought we did the same thing last year,” Dantonio said. “They come to play every week. They’re prepared, they’re emotional, they’re positive, (the) coaches are positive. They have an opportunity to win every football game. I think the understanding is by our football team; I hope we’re mature enough to understand this, (which) is that every single game we’ve had with them has been a tough football game in the last six years.”

Despite losing all-purpose dynamo Venric Mark to a season-ending injury, the Wildcats and their spread-option offense remain a respectable foe in Evanston, Ill. Northwestern bucks conventional wisdom by utilizing a two-quarterback system, mixing in pocket-passer Trevor Siemian and speedy running threat Kain Colter under center.

The Wildcats have a reliable weapon in kicker Jeff Budzien, who leads the conference in field goals made, as well as an opportunistic defense that boasts a Big Ten-best 18 interceptions and three of the top 12 tacklers in the league.

For the Spartans, Saturday will be about righting last game’s worst defensive effort of the season as they pursue the second chance in three years to win the Big Ten title. MSU’s No. 1-ranked defense uncharacteristically gave up 392 yards of offense in its last game against Nebraska.

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald credited the system developed by Dantonio and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, and the experience of the players in that system, for MSU’s success on that side of the ball. When scouting the Spartans on film, Fitzgerald said he recognizes a level of toughness he’s come to expect from Dantonio-coached teams.

“They play together, they understand the concepts and they understand the strengths and weaknesses,” Fitzgerald said, “and then they show up to the ball in a bad mood. There’s a reason why they’re as solid as they are.”