Northwestern is coming off a stunning upset of No. 7 Wisconsin in double-overtime last Saturday, 47-44. Now at 3-1 overall, and 1-0 in the Big Ten, Northwestern is looking to prove that pulling out a close one against the Badgers was no fluke.

The Spartans (3-0) know they are in for a tough game in their Big Ten opener.

During his weekly press conference, MSU coach Bobby Williams said that Northwestern is a much-improved football team.

"This team has already equaled its win total from last year and its only loss this season came at nationally ranked (No. 16)Texas Christian," Williams said. "This team will have a lot of confidence when it comes to town after its double-overtime victory at Wisconsin."

The Spartans blanked Northwestern last year, 34-0 in Evanston, Ill. Thanks to a big game from wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Burress, a first-round NFL draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers this year, tied MSU's single-game record with three touchdown passes in that game.

Ryan Van Dyke came on in relief of starter Bill Burke and went 7-for-15 for 153 yards and two touchdowns. It was supposed to be a glimpse of things to come for Van Dyke. But injuries have kept him out of action for most of the season. He is listed as questionable for Saturday's game.

Freshman quarterback Jeff Smoker has performed well in Van Dyke's absence, completing 38-of-72 passes (.528) for 476 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He is the first true freshman to start for the Spartans since Dave Yarema in 1982.

Smoker stepped after Van Dyke went down with a bruised thumb in the season opener against Marshall. He has led Michigan State to wins over Missouri and Notre Dame the past two weeks.

Sophomore tailback T.J. Duckett and an improving defense have helped take some of the pressure off Smoker.

Duckett ranks second in the Big Ten and third in nation in rushing, averaging 163.7 yards per game. He rumbled for 141 yards last week against Notre Dame, becoming the first freshman to run for 100 or more yards in his first three games since Lorenzo White in 1985.

The Spartans defense is led by linebacker Josh Thornhill, lineman Jace Sayler and Jim Thorpe Award candidate Renaldo Hill. The Spartans rank fourth in the Big Ten in rushing defense (104.7 yards per game) and third in passing defense (177.3 yards per game).

Michigan State leads Northwestern in the series 30-12, including 16-3 in games played in East Lansing. Northwestern last won in Spartan Stadium in 1991, 16-13.

Williams says that the series record means nothing. Northwestern has a much-improved offense this season and its defense is leading the conference in pass defense.

"Northwestern has an outstanding linebacker corps with Billy Silva, Napoleon Harris and Kevin Bentley. Silva, the middle linebacker, is running down plays all over the field," Williams said.

Bentley, Harris and Silva combined for 42 tackles against Wisconsin. And Bentley ran a fumble back for a touchdown.

The team has been scoring honors as well.

Bentley was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and also received the Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week from the Football Writers Association of America.

The Wildcats offense has emerged from the early-season doldrums. Last week Northwestern racked up 544 yards of total offense, easily its best output in 15 years.

"Northwestern has changed its style of play on offense. It now has a three-dimensional offense. Out of its spread offense, Northwestern can throw it, run its option package and execute its power running game," Williams said.