The Spartans (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) held on for an emotional 34-31 victory over Michigan, vaulting to seventh in the country and turning their sites to things bigger than the conference championship. Now officially a member of the national title hunt, Michigan State will have to figure a way to shut down quarterback Drew Brees and the Boilermakers (4-2, 1-2).

Brees is ranked 44th in the nation in passing efficiency, completing 58.1 percent of his passes for 1,813 yards and 11 touchdowns with four interceptions. Last weekend, for the first time this season, he was held without a scoring pass and the Boilermakers lost, 25-22, to Ohio State.

Michigan State can boast that its quarterback, Bill Burke, is better but just lacks the hype. Burke is the 14th-rated passer in the country, throwing for 1,309 yards and 13 scores with five picks.

Both receiving corps are deep and balanced. Chris Daniels is Brees' favorite target and ranks third in the country with 57 receptions, even though he averages less than 10 yards per catch. Randall Lane and Tim Stratton have combined for 50 catches and 638 yards, while Vinny Sutherland is the deep threat, taking five of his 15 catches into the end zone and averaging 24.6 yards per reception. Sutherland also is an excellent return man.

Michigan State has 6-6 Plaxico Burress, who has 579 yards on 32 receptions, and speedster Gari Scott to stretch the defense. That usually leaves tight end Chris Baker open underneath and he has 23 receptions. They have a combined 13 touchdowns. Like Sutherland, Scott is a threat to score on returns.

Michigan State leads the all-time series, 28-22-3, but Purdue has won the last two meetings, including a 25-24 triumph in East Lansing last season. The Spartans have not won in West Lafayette since a 27-24 victory on November 13, 1993.

MICHIGAN STATE Season schedule and results	PURDUE Season schedule and results
Sep. 2 Oregon W 27-20 Sep. 11 Eastern Michigan W 51-7 Sep. 18 @Notre Dame W 23-13 Sep. 25 @Illinois W 27-10 Oct. 2 Iowa W 49-3 Oct. 9 Michigan W 34-31 Oct. 16 @Purdue TBA Oct. 23 @Wisconsin 2:00pm ET Nov. 6 Ohio State 1:00pm ET Nov. 13 @Northwestern TBA Nov. 20 Penn State 1:00pm ET	Sep. 4 @Central Florida W 47-13 Sep. 11 Notre Dame W 28-23 Sep. 18 Central Michigan W 58-16 Sep. 25 Northwestern W 31-23 Oct. 2 @Michigan L 12-38 Oct. 9 @Ohio State L 22-25 Oct. 16 Michigan State TBA Oct. 23 Penn State TBA Oct. 30 @Minnesota TBA Nov. 6 Wisconsin TBA Nov. 20 @Indiana TBA