Two years ago, Michigan State lost a tough game to Notre Dame a week after Central Michigan came to East Lansing and shocked the Spartans with a 29-27 upset victory. This Saturday, CMU is coming to East Lansing a week after the Spartans were defeated by the Fighting Irish in South Bend.
Michigan State will have to rebound from the loss to Notre Dame and recover from a slew of injuries on its offensive line as it tries to get revenge on the Chippewas. On Monday, Mark Dantonio confirmed that starting right tackle Skyler Burkland is out for the season because of an ankle injury. On Tuesday, it came out that MSU will be without starting center Blake Treadwell and one-time starter at left tackle Jared McGaha on Saturday. Both players are recovering from MCL sprains, and it looks like McGaha might not return until the Michigan game on Oct. 15. Treadwell could be back next week when Michigan State takes on Ohio State.
The good news for MSU is that the 2011 CMU team is not even close to being as good as the 2009 team that upset the Spartans. There is no Dan LeFevour or Antonio Brown, and the program in general is quite different with former MSU assistant Dan Enos now serving as the head coach. The Chippewas are 1-2 this season, and last week they were blown out by Western Michigan, 44-14.
Here is the rundown of information for Saturday's game:
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPNU
- Radio: Spartan Sports Network
- Location: East Lansing, MI
- Stadium: Spartan Stadium