All-time record

Nebraska leads the all-time series against MSU, 7-2. However, the series is split at 2-2 since the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten.

MSU is on a two game winning streak against Nebraska. The Spartans, coming off of a bye week in 2013, defeated the Cornhuskers 41-28 for their first win in the series and last year MSU jumped out to a 27-3 lead before having to hold off a late Nebraska rally for a final score of 27-22.

Huskers to watch

Junior wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp is having a great season despite Nebraska’s record. Westerkamp has the sixth most receiving yards in the Big Ten with 658, he is tied for third in the conference with five receiving touchdowns and he has the fourth most receptions with 49.

“Westerkamp is a guy that’s been playing quite a while, an expert player, gamer,” head coach Mark Dantonio said. “You certainly have to know where number one (Westerkamp) is at. There is no question.”

Close calls

Football is a game of inches and no team understands that more than Nebraska right now. The Cornhuskers’ first five losses were by a total of 13 points.

“We’ve watched film on them and they’re a great team,” senior defensive lineman Joel Heath said. “We’ve been there at some point. Michigan State has been there ... where we lost close games, we know how they feel. We know how it feels to be a great team and wanting to be able to prove we’re better than what the record shows.”

Nebraska has lost four games in the final 10 seconds or overtime. BYU beat the Cornhuskers on a Hail Mary during the final play of the game, Miami defeated them with a walk-off field goal in overtime, Illinois scored a game winning touchdown with 10 seconds left and Wisconsin hit a game winning field goal with four seconds left.

Big red machine

Long before Dantonio became MSU’s head coach he served as a defensive backs coach at Kansas (1991-94) — a time when Nebraska and Kansas were conference opponents in the Big 12.

The Cornhuskers won all four meetings between the two while Dantonio was with the Jayhawks. Dantonio even joked that his wife used to call Nebraska the “big red machine” because of their ability to recruit.

“Great challenge and opportunity waiting for us at Nebraska. Tremendous tradition there. Went there numerous times. I guess four times when I was between being at Kansas,” Dantonio said. “Obviously those meetings weren’t too good, but I have a great respect for what they do and what their fans bring and how they do it at the University of Nebraska.”

Record Watch

Senior quarterback Connor Cook, who extends his wins record with every victory, could break another monumental school record this weekend.

Cook, who has 64 career passing touchdowns, is two away from tying and three away from breaking Kirk Cousins' record of 66.