Michigan State vs Illinois predictions & previews

Here are a few previews so far on the MSU at Illinois tilt on Saturday...

Big Ten Network preview, Bleacher Report preview, ESPN/Adam Rittenberg (MSU 31,-23), CFN/Scout (MSU 27-20), Illini Loyalty message board,

CBS Sports predicts MSU to face Kansas in the Alamo Bowl.

Michigan State national statistics

Here are how your Spartans rank statistically. Note: MSU leads the Big Ten in passing offense and total offense. It is last in pass defense and pass defense efficiency. Entering the season, many thought that may have been the reverse. Also, Greg Jones is second in the nation in tackles, averaging 12 per game.

MSU Stats	Nat'l Rank	Actual	Nat'l Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Big Ten Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	70	133.60	Florida	307.50	8	Wisconsin	217.20
Passing Offense	14	300.60	Houston	446.00	1	Michigan St.	300.60
Total Offense	21	434.20	Houston	573.25	1	Michigan St.	434.20
Scoring Offense	36	31.40	Texas	49.50	4	Wisconsin	35.00
Rushing Defense	22	96.40	TCU	47.00	3	Ohio St.	83.40
Pass Eff. Defense	101	142.95	Florida	75.31	11	Iowa	91.17
Total Defense	49	340.40	Florida	212.75	5	Ohio St.	252.60
Scoring Defense	T-64	24.60	Nebraska	7.00	6	Penn St.	11.60
Net Punting	7	41.59	Oklahoma St.	42.86	2	Michigan	42.12
Punt Returns	40	11.44	Louisiana Tech	32.00	3	Minnesota	19.00
Kickoff Returns	47	23.00	Stanford	41.08	5	Indiana	29.10
Turnover Margin	92	-.80	Air Force	2.60	10	Wisconsin	1.00
Pass Defense	93	244.00	Eastern Mich.	89.25	11	Ohio St.	169.20
Passing Efficiency	29	148.99	Florida	173.93	2	Wisconsin	152.94
Sacks	T-41	2.20	Pittsburgh	4.40	5	Penn St.	3.00
Tackles For Loss	T-67	5.40	Cincinnati	10.00	7	Penn St.	8.60
Sacks Allowed	T-17	1.00	Iowa St.	.20	2	Wisconsin	.40