Michigan State and Minnesota are two teams heading in opposite directions. Although the Spartans did lose last week, they are 8-1 on the year and are well on their way to an 11-1 record and a possible trip to the Rose Bowl. Minnesota, on the other hand, has lost eight straight games since winning its season opener and has already fired its coach. Since the firing, the Gophers have lost to Penn State, 33-21, and Ohio State, 52-10.
I would say a score similar to the OSU game is the most likely outcome on Saturday when Minnesota plays Michigan State, especially given this most recent news concerning the Gophers: three players have been suspended for the MSU game, including a team captain.
Defensive tackle Brandon Kirksey has been suspended for Saturday's game at Michigan State for unspecified reasons, Minnesota coach Jeff Horton said Tuesday. But Kirksey -- a team captain -- has already met with Horton, and the coach said he expects Kirksey to return to action Nov. 14 at Illinois.
Michael Carter and Ra'Shede Hageman, on the other hand, probably won't play again this season, after Horton suspended them "so they can focus on academics."
To make matters worse for Minnesota, two of their senior offensive linemen are out this week with injuries. To put it nicely, it's going to be a long day for Minnesota on Saturday.