Michigan State (3-1 overall, 0-1 in Big Ten play) looks to secure its first win in conference play at Nebraska (3-1 overall, 0-1 in Big Ten play) this weekend. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern Time/3 p.m. Central Time at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday. The contest can be watched on FS1. 

There are several storylines to pay attention to for this game, but there are three specific facets that may determine the outcome of the game. Here are three things to watch when the Spartans take on the Cornhuskers on Saturday. 

It's been talked about at length already this week, but there are some interesting statistical comparisons between these two teams, on both sides of the ball. The passing game in particular stands out in this matchup. 

Nebraska leads the Big Ten and ranks second in the country in passing yards per game at 351.8. The Cornhuskers are also putting up an impressive 43.5 points per game. On the other side of the ball, Michigan State is allowing 263.5 yards passing yards per game, which is the worst in the Big Ten and ranks 115th nationally. The Spartans have also struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks, with just six sacks on the 2025 season. Advantage: Nebraska.

MSU has to find a way to limit quarterback Dylan Raiola and Nebraska's vaunted passing attack to have a chance at winning this game on the road. The Spartans also need to pressure Raiola. That sounds simple, but will be easier said than done. 

Conversely, the Nebraska passing defense is the best in the nation in terms of passing yards allowed per game, as the Cornhuskers allow a mere 75.8 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, the Spartans come into the game averaging a respectable, but not spectacular 220.3 pass yards per game (12th in the Big Ten), led by dynamic quarterback Aidan Chiles.

Interestingly, though, the Cornhuskers have only faced one offense so far this season that averages more than 184 passing yards per game in Cincinnati. Through four games, the Bearcats are averaging 288 passing yards per game, and rank 25th nationally. Nebraska, impressively, held Cincinnati to just 69 passing yards in its season-opener on Aug. 28. However, since then, the Cornhuskers have faced a lowly Akron squad (162.2 passing yards per game), an FCS opponent in Houston Christian (144.3 passing yards per game) and a run-heavy offense in Michigan (183.3 passing yards per game).

The Nebraska passing defense ranks as the best in the nation for a reason, but it has been some time since its secondary was truly tested. Chiles and MSU wide receivers Nick Marsh, Omari Kelly, Chrishon McCray and others certainly provide a test, but will be challenged by the Cornhuskers themselves. 

For as impressive as Nebraska's passing defense has been, its run defense has perhaps been equally as unimpressive. The Cornhuskers allow 173.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks 17th out of 18 Big Ten teams (ahead of only UCLA, which has had a disastrous 2025 campaign) and 108th in the country. 

Last time out against Michigan, prior to Nebraska's bye week, the Wolverines shredded the Cornhuskers on the ground, rushing for 286 yards and three touchdowns. U-M running back Justice Haynes rushed for 17 times for 149 yards (8.8 yards per carry) and a touchdown. 

Michigan State enters Saturday's game with a healthy average of 154 rushing yards per game, which ranks 10th in the Big Ten. The Spartans' ground attack is led by running back Makhi Frazier. He leads the team in rushing attempts (57) and rushing yards (267) and is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Frazier has scored two rushing touchdowns, which ties him for the team lead with Chiles and fellow running back Brandon Tullis. 

Frazier has an opportunity to have a big game against the struggling Nebraska rush defense. This is going to be especially important for the Spartans if the Cornhuskers' passing defense continues to be stout. The wind could reach more than 20 miles per hour, which would make passing the football even more difficult. The run game will have to be efficient and effective for Michigan State to control the clock, move the chains and put itself in position to win the game.

Of course, this also means that the offensive line will need to generate a push in the trenches and open up running lanes for Frazier, Tullis and fellow running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver. While Frazier is not known for his speed per se, his vision, cutting ability and shiftiness are all impressive traits he possesses. Chiles can also be effective with his legs on designed runs or when he takes off with the football himself. 

On the other side of the coin, Michigan State's rushing defense was gashed by USC in its last game on Sept. 20. The Spartans had a top-10 rushing defense nationally entering that contest, but allowed 289 rushing yards to the Trojans. It will be interesting to see if the Spartans bounce back versus the Cornhuskers. Nebraska averages 144.8 rushing yards per game. 

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith provided good news at the beginning of the week regarding linebacker Wayne Matthews III. Matthews — who had an injury scare late in the first half against USC and had to be carted off the field and transported by ambulance to Los Angeles General Medical Center, but was able to fly home with the team — has been practicing and has a "chance" to play this Saturday at Nebraska. Things are trending positively for Matthews. 

Starting safety Nikai Martinez and defensive end and team captain Quindarius Dunnigan were both also hurt in the loss to USC. Both players are trending toward playing against the Cornhuskers, according to Smith. 

However, Michigan State will take another hit on the offensive line. After previously losing guard Luka Vincic for the 2025 season, another key player will miss significant time, as starting left tackle Stanton Ramil is expected to miss about a month of action.

It is unclear currently what MSU will do at the left tackle position in the interim while Ramil is out, but Rustin Young came in against USC and held his own. The Spartans could stick with Young there, put Ashton Lepo into the starting lineup at left tackle or move Conner Moore from right tackle to left tackle and have Lepo or Young play on the right side. Moore has seen reps this season, and played there at Montana State, while Lepo started 12 games at right tackle in 2024. 

In addition to Vincic, MSU also recently announced that linebacker Brady Pretzlaff will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, veteran wide receiver Alante Brown is expected to miss significant time as well. Some others, such as defensive backs Andrew Brinson IV and Caleb Gash, are out for the year as well. There are a few others who are yet to be healthy enough to dress for a game so far this season. 

Frazier and Marsh did not enter the USC game at 100% health either, but now have had a bye week to recover and could be big parts of the game plan against Nebraska on Saturday. 

Michigan State often preaches the "next man up" mentality, and with all of these injuries, the Spartans will need to continue with that mindset.