CHAMPAIGN, IL — After having a week off, the rested Michigan State Spartans get ready for a tough road test on Saturday afternoon, as they face off with the Illinois Fighting Illini.

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Michigan State Spartans (4-5, 2-4 B1G) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (6-3, 3-3 B1G)

• When: Saturday, November 16
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Memorial Stadium (Champaign, Ill.)
• Channel: FOX Sports 1
• Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream

The Spartans had a tough pair of results heading into their second bye of the season. Following a big win over Iowa in Week 8 that pushed them back above .500, MSU dropped a close battle to the rival Michigan Wolverines before getting blown out by Indiana two weeks ago. Though Michigan State tried to keep things close against the red-hot Hoosiers, more mistakes with the football led to the 47-10 drubbing.

There is still time for MSU to rally and clinch a spot in a bowl game, with three games to go, especially with the final two coming at home. However, a game on the road will test their mettle.

Illinois was looking like a team that could be a sleeper and sneak into the Big Ten Championship Game picture. However, things have gone a little sideways for the Illini. Following wins over Purdue and Michigan, Illinois had its lunch handed to them by Oregon before finding more offensive struggles against Minnesota at home last week. The Fighting Illini has scored 20 or more points just twice over the past five games, though they have at least go bowling this winter.

The Spartans are 27-19-2 against Illinois, including winning the last meeting in 2022.

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