EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — Illinois will visit Michigan State on Saturday for an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision game at Spartan Stadium. The Fighting Illini and Spartans both enter with 2-3 records. The forecast at game time calls for 46 degrees. The matchup offers both teams a chance to move toward .500 and gain ground in conference play.

Illinois will look to quarterback Katin Houser to lead its offense. In the Illini’s most recent game, Purdue won 24-17. Houser passed for 225 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 42 yards on eight carries. Aidan Laughery rushed for 49 yards and added a 21-yard kick return. Collin Dixon caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 15 yards. Earlier this season, Houser threw for 263 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State and for 305 yards and two touchdowns against Southern Illinois. He also ran for 14 yards against Ohio State and 3 yards against Southern Illinois. Illinois opened with a 42-23 win over UAB, beat Southern Illinois 48-10, lost to Duke 31-27, fell at Ohio State 42-19 and lost to Purdue 24-17.

Michigan State will counter with quarterback Alessio Milivojevic. In the Spartans’ most recent game, Wisconsin won 31-3. Milivojevic threw for 103 yards and ran for 7 yards on four carries. Cam Fancher added 5 passing yards and 13 rushing yards, while Jaziun Patterson rushed for 62 yards. Milivojevic threw for 208 yards against Nebraska and 123 yards at Notre Dame earlier this season. Michigan State beat Toledo 30-20, defeated Eastern Michigan 35-7, lost at Notre Dame 27-10, fell to Nebraska 31-13 and lost at Wisconsin 31-3. Michigan State has lost three straight. Illinois has lost two straight. Illinois’ most recent win was a 48-10 decision over Southern Illinois. Michigan State’s most recent win was a 35-7 result against Eastern Michigan.

The Illini are scheduled to host Oregon, visit Maryland, host Nebraska, visit UCLA, host Iowa and visit Northwestern. The Spartans are set to host Northwestern, visit UCLA, visit Michigan, host Washington, host Oregon and visit Rutgers. Both programs are seeking consistency as the conference schedule continues. Illinois will aim to build on its recent offensive production, while Michigan State will try to stabilize its passing game and support its running attack. The game is scheduled for Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Illinois to beat Michigan State 41-34. Michigan State has been installed as a 2.5-point favorite. The over/under is 47.5.