Here are five things to look for in the battle for the Megaphone, which kicks off at 7:30 Saturday night.

1. MSU will test Notre Dame deep, just like the Irish did to MSU in 2013

The Irish struggled in their first two matchups defensively, giving up big plays in the air to Texas in their double-overtime loss in Austin and 300 yards of total offense, and 201 yards via passing in their victory over Nevada.

MSU saw the Irish go deep 20 times in 2013, as Dantonio made a note of in his Tuesday press conference. The role might be reversed this time, as senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor has downfield options in receivers Monty Madaris and Felton Davis III on the outside.

Look for MSU to attempt picking up chunks of yards with their aerial assault, as O’Connor had an extra week to get more comfortable in the pocket and with his targets. The offensive line will be key as well, and they protected O’Connor well in week one. They will have to keep that up against a much stingier Notre Dame front for O’Connor to have the time to deliver a capable throw.

“There are some guys that have played, but haven't necessarily been the stars at their position on the O-line,” O’Connor said. “So there are guys excited about where they're at and to go out and make a name for themselves. So there are a lot of guys excited about that.”

2. Backfield pressure will determine Spartans defensive success

Junior Malik McDowell is going to have to be ready to go on Saturday, or the Irish offense, particularly junior quarterback DeShone Kizer, could have a field day in the backfield. Defensive pressure was one of the key talking points for MSU during their bye, and rightfully so, as they only recorded one sack and gave up nearly 100 yards rushing to Furman in week one.

“I think that our defensive line is going to have to come to play, going to have to pressure the quarterback, going to have to stop the run, do those type of things,” Dantonio said. “Obviously, Malik will be a catalyst involved in helping to do that. All of our players, every single one of our players will have their hands full when we go down there, that's the nature of this and they'll have to play to a high level.”

A defensive front that includes seniors Kevin Williams and Demetrius Cooper should be expected to generate high amounts of pressure. 

3. MSU special teams will bounce back from disappointing start

Dantonio was not too pleased with his special teams' performance in week one, as a number of miscues cost the Spartans yards and in some instances took potential points off the board.

“We're two weeks in the rears on that one,” Dantonio said in regards to his special teams unit. “But as I remember, we kicked the ball out of bounds in the first kickoff, which wasn't good. We punted extremely well. Got two inside the 10, 58-yarder; kickoff return, we missed two seams, which could have went to the house. Punt return, we missed one seam that could have went to the house. Missed a field goal. Does that about cover it?”

Punter Jake Hartbarger will need to perform like he did against Furman for MSU to win the field position battle. Senior receiver R.J. Shelton returns and is currently listed as the top kick and punt returner of MSU’s depth chart, which could spark some key returns to set up field position.

Senior kicker Michael Geiger is 0-1 on the year, and will have to come through if his name is called on Saturday night, because leaving points on the field, especially against Notre Dame, could be the difference between a win and a loss.

4. MSU secondary will prove their worth on Saturday

The MSU secondary was picked on in their last meeting with the Irish, but seniors Demetrious Cox and Darian Hicks are the lone returners from the MSU secondary in that game. With junior hard-hitting safety Montae Nicholson and sophomore Vayante Copeland on the outside, the secondary looks ready for revenge.

“Kizer's going to throw it up there,” Cox said. “He has a lot of threats. All those guys that stretch the field, made explosive plays. So we'll have to be on our A-game, make 50-50 plays on the ball, things like that.”

The secondary helped hold Furman to two field goals rather than touchdowns in week one, mainly because of the contribution from Hicks, who finished the game with four pass breakups. He, along with the rest of the MSU defensive backs, will need to play that “A-game” to take away seams that Kizer’s throwing arm can easily connect.

5. O’Connor is a breakout candidate for MSU offense

O’Connor has been waiting his whole life to play the Irish, and he finally gets the chance to do it on Saturday night. With the struggles of the Irish secondary, O’Connor seems ideal to be the choice for a breakout candidate, and his mobility could lead to some big gains as well, something Notre Dame struggled with against Texas as well.

“It's a rich tradition, it's great history over at Notre Dame,” O’Connor said. “I have been there a couple times as a kid, and it's a great environment to play the game. It's something you dream about whether you were or weren't a Notre Dame fan or liked or didn't like Notre Dame.”

It still depends on the offensive line, but O’Connor has the playmaking ability to create for himself and his teammates. If he protects the football, is quicker on his release and avoids silly mistakes, he could have a monster evening.

PREDICTIONS

NATE BOTT: MSU 31, NOTRE DAME 28

MSU comes in off their bye week, and with two weeks to study up on the Irish’s strategy, the offense points up just enough to survive on the road. A trick play sets up a late touchdown and a Geiger field goal is the difference maker for the final score.

MVP: MALIK MCDOWELL

McDowell is going to be the man who steps up for the defense, and though O’Connor has a career day, McDowell gets MVP honors. He gets to Kizer twice and stuffs two runs for a loss and helps cause a key turnover that results in points for the Spartans.

STEPHEN OLSCHANSKI: MSU 27, Notre Dame 24

A late field goal ensures the lead, forcing Notre Dame to go down the field late in the game for a chance to win or tie. A late pick by Vayante Copeland seals the game for MSU after a hotly contested back-and-forth game. 

MVP: MONTY MADARIS:

After showing flashes of skill and speed against Furman, the fifth-year senior wideout has a breakout game and collects six passes for more than a hundred yards and a key touchdown against the weakened and inexperienced Irish secondary.