Michigan State redshirt senior running back Cam Edwards (0) prepares to stiff arm an Eastern player as he runs the ball in Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.
Michigan State football revealed what type of team it has the potential to be this season after a 27-10 loss to No. 3 Notre Dame: They might not win a championship, but they'll be competitive. Now the Spartans have another test in their first Big Ten matchup of the season against Nebraska.
Though unranked, the Cornhuskers stand at 3-0 and have one of the most efficient offenses in the country. It's another huge opportunity for MSU to set the tone for the remainder of the season.
"It's why we all come here to Michigan State. It's to compete and play Big Ten football," MSU head coach Pat Fitzgerald said at Monday's press conference. "We got another stiff test; Nebraska's playing really, really well."
MSU (2-1) vs. Nebraska (3-0) will be Fitzgerald's first Big Ten game since Nov. 26, 2022. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Saturday at Spartan Stadium, with the game airing on Big Ten Network.
Stopping Colandrea and Nebraska's offense
The Cornhuskers have one of the best offenses on paper through three games. They rank 10th in the nation in total offense, fueled largely by a ground game that averages 263 rushing yards per game (12th nationally), while also scoring 46.3 points per game (11th in the nation).
Though they've done it against weaker opponents, including Ohio, Bowling Green and North Dakota, they've done it efficiently, boasting a perfect red-zone success rate and converting 57% of their third downs (ninth-best in the nation).
"The reason they’re efficient on third down is because of first and second down success. And there’s some drives they don’t even get to third down,” MSU defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said at Wednesday’s press conference.
The reigning Mountain West player of the year, quarterback Anthony Colandrea, is the maestro of their offense; to put it simply, he does his job. The senior has completed 68.8% of his passes for 692 yards and eight touchdowns through three games while throwing just one interception. He's also a threat to create plays with his legs, compiling 75 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
"He’s very athletic. He’s dynamic to be quite honest with you; he can take it to the house if you’re not gap sound and not rush lane conscious,” Fitzgerald said. “You can just tell he’s a gamer.”
If the Spartan defense can't halt Nebraska's offense, it could be a long game for MSU. The Spartans' own offense hasn't been tested in a shootout this season, but its numbers don't inspire confidence that it could keep pace: MSU currently ranks last in the Big Ten in scoring at 25 points per game and outside the top 100 nationally in total offense.
Revive the rushing attack
Redshirt senior running back Cam Edwards found himself atop the Big Ten in rushing yards after Week 2, but was then completely shut down against Notre Dame for just 38 yards.
If MSU can revive its rushing attack, led by Edwards, it could help the Spartans sustain drives and control the game against a Nebraska team that thrives on the ground.
“I mean we only had 45 plays, that’s a major problem,” Fitzgerald said of MSU’s offensive performance against Notre Dame. “Our inability to sustain drives hurt us. Which again, playing complementary football, then your defense is out there way too long.”
The Cornhuskers have one of the best rushing attacks in the country, so they'll likely control the clock unless the Spartans can run the ball like they did in the first two games. That would give MSU a shot at controlling tempo and keeping Nebraska's offense off the field, limiting its opportunities and creating a better chance at a close game.
Not only would strong production on the ground give the Spartans a chance to beat the Cornhuskers, but it would also reveal how good this offensive line really is.
It's not abnormal to have one bad performance running the ball, like MSU had against Notre Dame. But two in a row, in the two games they've played Power Four schools, would be a bad sign for what's to come.
Put together four complete quarters
Fitzgerald has mentioned in every postgame news conference that his team has yet to play "four clean quarters of football," a factor that could make a difference come Big Ten play.
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A scoreless third quarter against Toledo let the Rockets take the lead in the fourth. The staff responded by emphasizing a strong third quarter for Week 2, and the Spartans delivered, though they stumbled in the second against Eastern Michigan and entered halftime up just 14-7.
The issue against No. 3 Notre Dame was the whole second half. MSU was held scoreless and gained just 40 yards after trailing 17-10 at the break.
One bad quarter against a Group of Six opponent doesn't lose games, but against Big Ten teams it does, especially against a team like Nebraska, which averages 46 points per game. It's one of the main reasons MSU has struggled in the Big Ten in recent years, winning just five conference games in the last three seasons.
“We just got to play cleaner man,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s why I’m still not in a very good humor, because I felt like the guys had a great week. We just didn’t bring it with us.”
The Spartans have a chance to show what kind of team they'll be this season, and it depends on whether they show growth on Saturday after their loss to Notre Dame.
