Scouting: Notre Dame @ Michigan State

Notre Dame (1-1) at Michigan State (2-0)When: 7 p.m. Saturday at Spartan StadiumTV: Channel 7; Radio: WLS 890-AMSeries: Notre Dame leads 45-27-1Coaches: Brian Kelly (1-1, first year at Notre Dame, 172-58-2 overall); Mark Dantonio (24-17, fourth year at MSU; 42-34 overall)ND players to watch: QB Dayne Crist apparently seems fine after missing most of the first half against Michigan due to a blow to his head that blurred his vision. He needs to be fine because his passer rating (157.62) is more than twice as good as backups Nate Montana and Tommy Rees. Freshman TJ Jones (6 catches, 114 yards, 2 TDs) has given the passing game a third threat to go with Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph. LB Manti Te'o leads the defense with 22 tackles.MSU players to watch: Kicker Dan Conroy can't expect to top last week, but he'll try. The redshirt sophomore from Wheaton Warrenville South was granted a scholarship for winning the job, then went out and earned Big Ten and national special-teamer of the week honors for drilling field goals of 50, 44 and 41 yards. The Spartans average an absurd 7.8 yards per carry, largely due to Edwin Baker (32 carries, 300 yards, 3 TDs) and Le'Veon Bell (20-190-3). All-American LB Greg Jones already boasts 20 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 1 TFL.The skinny: For some reason, the visiting team always seems to come out on top in this long-standing rivalry that has been played all but two seasons since 1959. This will be a referendum on whether it's better to load up your non-conference schedule or play patsies. While the Irish debuted with Purdue and Michigan, the Spartans opened with Western Michigan and Florida Atlantic. Notre Dame also should be giddy to face a pro-style quarterback after getting scalded by Denard Robinson. MSU QB Kirk Cousins (22 of 38, 328 yards, 2 TDs) hasn't been asked to throw much to date, but he lit up the Irish for 302 yards and a TD last year.He said it: Brian Kelly on Crist's temporary memory and vision issues against Michigan: "There was never a concussion procedure that we went through. He actually had some swelling on his face Sunday from a hit that he took. When he hit the ground, a helmet hit him. That's really what caused it. It was really more of a hit to the face. But he's fine."