No. 11/10 MICHIGAN STATE (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten)
vs. NORTHWESTERN (6-5, 3-4 Big Ten)

GAME NOTES:

• Saturday’s game marks the 52nd meeting between Michigan State and Northwestern. The Spartans lead the all-time series 35-16, including a 17-10 record in games played in Evanston,Ill. Michigan State has won three in a row and four of the last fi ve meetings. The Spartans have recorded victories in four of their last fi ve trips to Ryan Field (34-0 in 1999, 41-38 in 2006, 37-20 in 2008, 35-27 in 2010). Northwestern’s last win in the series came on Oct. 6, 2007, 48-41, in overtime.
• Michigan State has clinched the Big Ten Legends Division title and has secured a spot in the inaugural Big Ten Championship game Dec. 3. The Spartans are 6-1 in Big Ten play, one game ahead of Michigan at 5-2; MSU defeated the Wolverines on Oct. 15, 28-14. MSU assured itself of playing in the Big Ten Championship game with a 55-3 win over Indiana last Saturday coupled with Nebraska’s 45-17 loss at Michigan.
• The Spartans are ranked No. 14 in the latest Bowl Championship Series Standings, released Sunday, Nov. 20. In the USA TODAY Poll, MSU is ranked 10th, while the Spartans are 11th in The Associated Press Poll. MSU has been ranked in the USA TODAY Poll for 26 consecutive weeks, the longest streak for the program since the national newspaper began administering the poll in 1991.
• The 2011 senior class has helped Michigan State to a record of 35-15 (.700) since 2008, including three straight bowl bids (2009 Capital One Bowl, 2010 Alamo Bowl, 2011 Capital One Bowl) and a fourth appearance to be determined following the regular season. The 35 wins are the most by any senior class in the 115-year history of Michigan State football (previous record: 33 wins by 2010 class). The 2011 class is also the fi rst to defeat Michigan four straight years since 1959-62 and fi nished with a home record of 24-4 (.857).
• Michigan State has won 20 of its last 24 games, dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season, including a 13-2 record in Big Ten play. The 20 wins over the last two seasons is the highest two-year total in school history. In addition, MSU has won at least nine games in back-to-back seasons for the fi rst time since 1965-66.
• Michigan State leads the Big Ten and is tied for ninth in the FBS with 16 interceptions. The Spartans have recorded an interception in 10 of their 11 games this season. Junior safety Isaiah Lewis and senior safety Trenton Robinson both lead the Big Ten and rank tied for 18th in the nation with four interceptions. Lewis is also one of just nine players in the FBS to return two interceptions for touchdowns this season. Five other Spartans have recorded interceptions in 2011: Johnny Adams (3), Kurtis Drummond (2), Max Bullough (1), Darqueze Dennard (1) and Denzel Drone (1). The Spartans have returned three interceptions for scores this season (Lewis: vs. Central Michigan and Michigan; Adams vs. Indiana).
• Michigan State leads the Big Ten in total defense (257.3 ypg.) and rushing defense (101.2 ypg). In addition, the Spartans rank among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Top 20 in six different statistical categories: third in total defense, fourth in pass defense (156.1 ypg.), fi fth in pass efficiency defense (99.7 rating), fifth in scoring defense (15.3 points per game), 10th in rushing defense and 16th in sacks (2.8 per game).