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Tomorrow night will be the first of three primetime matchups inside of Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish host the Michigan State Spartans in a rivalry renewed in a battle for the Megaphone Trophy. The Fighting Irish offense has put up really good numbers over the first two games, including a 52-point performance in their home opener. But now, they'll be tested again against a Pat Fitzgerald-led Spartans defense. 

This is going to be a great test for offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and the Notre Dame offense. Junior quarterback CJ Carr has been exceptional to start the season from a signal caller standpoint and production standpoint. Now, they'll be challenged by their second Big Ten defense in three weeks. Here are the three biggest storylines, two crucial matchups and one player to watch on offense in Notre Dame's matchup with Michigan State under the lights. 

THREE BIGGEST STORYLINES

1. Get The Ground Game Going 

Despite averaging 46.5 points per game in through their first two contests, there's still some key areas of focus for this Notre Dame offense, primarily with the ground attack. Some will attribute it to the loss of two first-round NFL draft picks, but it's the offensive line that has to start dictating the success of the Fighting Irish ground game. Through two games, the Notre Dame rushing offense ranks No. 116 in the country in yards per game and  No. 116 in the country in yards per carry (3.58). This is an area that has to improve and it starts Saturday night against a good-sized, disciplined defensive front. 

2. Continue Winning On The Perimeter

Michigan State's defense is susceptible to giving up big plays on the perimeter. Notre Dame's pass offense, led by Carr and receiver Jordan Faison, will have opportunities to hurt the Spartans on the outside. In their season opener, the Spartans allowed Toledo to pass for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Their top two leading receivers averaged 25.2 yards per catch and 16.3 yards per catch. Carr will has his opportunity to add to his Heisman resume early in the season in primetime. 

3. Handle The Moment 

For several key pieces on Notre Dame's offense, this will be their first time starting inside of Notre Dame Stadium at night during a rivalry game. Players like left tackle Will Black and wide receiver Micah Gilbert will be walking into their first starts under the lights in Notre Dame Stadium. For others like Mylan Graham and Nolan James Jr. who will rotate in, this is an opportunity to continue making a name for yourself on a big stage. This is the first of two night game, rivalry matchups in South Bend. Tomorrow night will be a preview of things to come on later this season. 

TWO CRUCIAL MATCHUPS

1. Micah Gilbert vs Tre Ball/Tyran Chappell

Gilbert is one of the players on offense that's on the verge of a breakout. He's had a productive season through two games, but he's still looking to become that reliable weapon in the boundary that Malachi Fields presented in 2025. Tomorrow night will be his opportunity to leave his mark. Michigan State has two long, physical outside corners and Gilbert will have his opportunity to matchup with both. We're seeing his growth from last season to this fall and it's been on display throughout the first two games. Now, it's time to do it against another quality Big Ten team. 

2. Anthonie Knapp vs Eli Coenen

Junior left guard Anthonie Knapp has the opportunity to have a dominant performance on Saturday night and if he does, it won't be a fluke. Spartans defensive tackle Eli Coenen is 6-6, 287-pounds and currently leads the team in pressures and sacks plus hits on the quarterback. Knapp, along with the rest of the offensive line, had an underwhelming performance in the run game last weekend against Rice. It wasn't bad, but it's definitely not the standard. Knapp will be one of the players in charge of turning that around. He'll also be responsible for holding his own against the lengthy interior pass rusher. 

ONE PLAYER TO WATCH: RB ANEYAS WILLIAMS

Several former Notre Dame running back has had their moments which let's the fan base and the college football world know 'I'm here' and Saturday night is junior running back Aneyas William's opportunity to do just that. He had a strong performance in the second half against Wisconsin in the season opener but struggled to get anything going against Rice in the home opener. The 5-10, 210-pound Missouri native has rushed for 119 yards on 29 carries this season and has two rushing touchdowns. If Williams runs with more patience against Michigan State, he'll have a statement game. 

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