Quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Michigan State Spartans warms up prior to the start of the game against the Montana State Bobcats on Sept. 5, 2009 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. Cousins threw for 2,680 yards and 19 touchdowns last year but missed a chance to beat the Irish last year with a costly interception late in the game.

Keith Nichol of the Michigan State Spartans rolls out to pass against the Montana State Bobcats during the second quarter on Sept. 5, 2009 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. Nichol, previously a quarterback, is moving to wide receiver in 2010. In his first game at the position, last year's Alamo Bowl, he caught two passes.

Larry Caper of the Michigan State Spartans runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sept. 19, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 33-30. Sharing time with classmate Edwin Baker last year, Caper ran for 468 yards and six scores.

Wide receiver Keshawn Martin of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down in the second quarter of the Spartans' game against Montana State on Sept. 5, 2009 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. Martin led the team with 1,451 all-purpose yards in 2009.

Wide receiver Mark Dell of the Michigan State Spartans looks for a warmup pass before play against the Georgia Bulldogs at the 2009 Capital One Bowl at the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2009 in Orlando, Fla. Dell torched the Irish last year, catching six passes for 121 yards.

Juice Williams of the Illinois Fighting Illini is sacked by Colin Neely of the Michigan State Spartans on Oct. 10, 2009 at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. Neely notched seven tackles for loss last year.

Greg Jones of the Michigan State Spartans awaits the start of play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sept. 19, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Jones was last year's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and has racked up 281 tackles over the past two seasons.

Chris L. Rucker of the Michigan State Spartans intercepts a fourth quarter pass in front of Toney Clemons of the Michigan Wolverines on Oct. 25, 2008 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. Rucker was an All-Big Ten honorable mention each of the past two seasons.