About those Friggin Irish, statistically they lead the nation not giving up a sack. QB Jimmy Clausen is ranked #3 nationally in pass efficiency with a 196.31 rating. In the passing game, Michael Floyd is their home run hitter, averaging 5.5 rpg for 160 yards per game (#2 in the nation); Golden Tate is getting 6 catches per game for 87 yards. Armando Allen's 105 yards on the ground per game is #22 in the nation. DB Kyle McCarthy (#28) has a pair of picks through two games, ranking him #9 in the nation. He'll likely be placed on Blair White on Saturday.

After two games, a few Spartans are ranking near the top in national statistical rankings, most notably QB Kirk Cousins who at 186.71 is #6 in the nation in passing efficiency. Blair White is ranked #6 with 134 yards receiving per game, and #7 with 8 receptions per game. Greg Jones is ranked #3 with 14.5 tackles per game. And, with 2 tackes for loss per game, Jones is ranked 18th. Keshawn Martin is #22 in punt returns, averaging 12.3.

When MSU has the ball:

• MSU's rushing offense is ranked #72 (138 ypg) vs ND's rushing defense #88 (172 ypg).
• MSU's passing offense is ranked #26 (227 ypg) vs ND's pass defense #58 (197 ypg).
• MSU's total offense is ranked #48 (405 ypg) vs ND's total defense #78 (369 ypg).
• MSU's pass efficiency is #14 (168.7) vs ND's pass eff defense #54 (116.2).
• MSU is #52 in kick returns (22.2), #27 in punt returns (14.2), and #4 in net punting (43.4).

When ND has the ball:

• ND's rushing offense is ranked #54 (166 ypg) vs MSU's rushing defense #23 (64 ypg).
• ND's passing offense is ranked #10 (334 ypg) vs MSU's pass defense #79 (225 ypg).
• ND's total offense is ranked #17 (500 ypg) vs MSU's total defense #44 (289 ypg).
• ND's pass efficiency is #2 (195.5) vs MSU's pass eff defense #79 (127.0).
• ND is #10 in kick returns (30.8), #51 in punt returns (9.0), and #52 in net punting (37.4)