Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio loves the Spartan’s rivalry with Notre Dame and said at his weekly news conference yesterday he’s very excited about playing the Fighting Irish under the lights Saturday night in East Lansing.

Dantonio said as always, the Notre Dame offense begins with the quarterback position and Dane Crist, who was knocked out for a time during last week’s loss against Michigan, is ready to go against the Spartans.

History shows it will probably be a close game. Nine of the last 11 Michigan State-Notre Dame matchups have been decided by 10 or fewer points.