FACTS & STATS: Site: Spartan Stadium (72,027) -- East Lansing, Michigan. Television: BigTen Network. Home Record: BGSU 0-0, Michigan State 1-0. Away Record: BGSU 1-0, Michigan State 0-0. Neutral Record: BGSU 0-0, Michigan State 0-0. Conference Record: BGSU 0-0, Michigan State 0-0. Series Record: Michigan State leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Bowling Green Falcons will face their second consecutive Big Ten school when they travel to East Lansing to battle the Michigan State Spartans this Saturday afternoon from Spartan Stadium. The Falcons are coming off a thrilling, 32-31 overtime victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. It was an impressive road victory for a squad that is coming off a terrible 4-8 season. As for the Spartans, they did not have much trouble in their opener, as they dismantled the UAB Blazers, 55-18. It was a great coaching debut for coach Mark Dantonio, who is in his first season at MSU after leaving Cincinnati. Following Saturday's contest, the Spartans will remain home to face a tough Pittsburgh squad. This will be just the second-ever meeting between BGSU and MSU. The only other matchup came back in 1981 and the final verdict was a 10-7 win for Michigan State.

After puttering all through last season on offense, the Falcons flew out of the gates in 2007, scoring 32 points in a win over Minnesota. BGSU posted a whopping 512 total yards against the Big Ten school, and 412 of those yards came through the air. Quarterback Tyler Sheehan, who was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week after a sensational outing, completing 34-of-51 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns. Sheehan also caught a 24-yard touchdown pass in the contest as Corey Partridge turned from wideout to QB on a trick play. Partridge also finished the game with six receptions for 52 yards. However, the main receiver was tailback Eric Ransom, who grabbed seven passes for 96 yards and one score. Ransom also carried the ball six times in the game and racked up 37 yards. As a whole, the Falcons' ground game must be used more after gaining 100 yards on 22 carries. Leading the way was Chris Bullock (47 yards on nine carries).

The Falcons struggled all last season against the run, and although the team was victorious in the opener, BGSU was abused for 246 rushing yards. While the front line was terrorized, the defensive backfield was superb. Last year the Falcons were one of the toughest defenders of the pass and not much will be different in 2007. In the opener, BGSU held Minnesota to just 188 passing yards and collected two interceptions. Overall the unit forced three turnovers in the win, while yielding 434 total yards of offense. The most active group for this unit was the linebackers, as John Haneline and Erique Dozier led the team in tackles. Haneline finished with 15 stops, while Dozier collected eight and also recovered a fumble.

Over the past few years the Spartans have been a pass-oriented offense, but that all changed when coach Dantonio took over. The new coach transformed this unit into a running juggernaut and after a 55-18 season opening win, the new scheme looks to be a success. Against UAB, the Spartans rushed for a whopping 298 yards and finished the game with 593 total yards of production. Five players had at least one carry in the contest, but the most productive was Jehuu Caulcrick, as the senior rushed for 93 yards and four touchdowns on 10 carries. Javon Ringer, the starting tailback, also had a solid performance, collecting 80 yards on 13 totes. As for the passing attack, three different players saw time under center, with the most action going to Brian Hoyer. Hoyer finished the game with 201 yards passing and one score. The junior was efficient in the contest, completing 14-of-17 passes.

As a whole, the MSU defense was abused for close to 30 ppg a year ago, but things look to be heading into the right direction in the early stages of 2007. In the win over UAB, Michigan State did a tremendous job defensively, holding the Blazers to a meager 226 total yards, which included just 12 yards on the ground. The unit only forced one turnover in the win, but was able to record five sacks, while holding UAB to just 17 first downs. Jon Misch led the unit with nine tackles in the win, while Kendell Davis-Clark and Greg Jones both had solid outings as well. Both players finished with seven stops and one sack apiece on the afternoon.

Both Bowling Green and Michigan State performed extremely well offensively in their respective openers. However, where these two squads differ is on the defensive side of the ball, as MSU put forth a dominant effort, while the Falcons struggled, especially against the run. Considering how much Dantonio likes to pound the ball, expect MSU to run past another opponent this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan State 38, Bowling Green 21