Notre Dame has a big test tonight when it takes on the 12th-ranked Michigan State Spartans in Notre Dame Stadium.

The Irish are the favorites and have beaten the Spartans three of the last four matchups, all under head coach Brian Kelly. The Spartans, however, are the reigning Big Ten champs and were a College Football Playoff team last year.

For Notre Dame to win the game, it must play well in all three facets of the game. Michigan State is well coached and physical, so the Irish will have to out-execute the Spartans in order to come out with the victory.

DEFENSIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Keep it simple stupid: The ol’ K.I.S.S. method of coaching must be applied against Michigan State. The Spartans have a diverse and complex run game, and a team that runs a lot of different looks against it runs the risk of getting gashed. Perhaps it works, but the odds are just as good that you call yourself into problems.

Notre Dame will have to be aggressive against the Spartans, but it must install a game plan that is basic enough for the defenders – especially the linebackers and safeties – to play with confidence, speed and aggression. Notre Dame’s defenders will have to be locked into their keys, and when they make decisions they have to fly hard to the football. That is harder to do when they are thinking a lot or making multiple checks.

Up front, Notre Dame likes to run a lot of twists and stunts. There is a time and place for that in this game, but defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has to be smart about how he uses those types of movements, and when he uses them. If Michigan State catches Notre Dame in a twist with one of its quick hitting runs the result could be crushing for the defense.

2. Get penetration: Part of keeping things simple is using your defensive line to attack. Notre Dame has often used its line to hold up blockers and play gap control defense. The goal is to free up the linebackers, but often times the result is the line doesn’t get movement and the linebackers aren’t able to get downhill. This form of defense allows the opposition ground game to get downhill, which we saw against Texas.

Against Nevada, Notre Dame was more aggressive with its front. VanGorder used his defense to attack to a greater degree, and with the Irish line getting constant penetration, the Nevada run game could never get into rhythm. It allowed the Notre Dame linebackers to fly downhill and to attack the run.

A similar game plan against Michigan State – or even a more aggressive plan with the front – could give the Irish defense what it needs to keep Michigan State in check. It would force the Spartan linemen to stay engaged with the defensive front, opening up the linebackers to produce a lot of tackles.

3. Gang tackle: Notre Dame must tackle well against Michigan State, something the defense has not done very well under VanGorder. This has been especially true this season, and if it happens against Michigan State the Irish defense is going to give up a lot of yards and points.

Simply tackling well is not good enough against Michigan State; Notre Dame’s defenders have to fly to the football and gang tackle the Michigan State backs and receivers. Sophomore running back L.J. Scott (6-1, 230) is similar in style, size and power to the Texas backs that gave the Notre Dame defenders so many problems. When he gets downhill, the Irish will need to swarm him and keep him from grinding out the kind of yards after contact that Texas did against the Irish.

The same is true in the pass game. Michigan State has a pair of receivers in senior R.J. Shelton and freshman Donnie Corley that can do damage in the screen game, with reverses and with the ball in their hands in space. Notre Dame’s corners and safeties have to rally to the ball and make stops, but the linebackers also have to fly outside and make stops when the receivers cut back inside.

Rallying to the ball and gang tackling is often how fumbles are forced, and getting turnovers would be huge for Notre Dame in this game.

4. Pressure the quarterback and limit the deep ball: Michigan State is going to take its shots on the perimeter and over top of the Notre Dame defense. The Irish cornerbacks and safeties have to play sound football, smart football and limit those big plays. Even when Michigan State does make a catch downfield, they have to make tackles and keep the drive going.

If Michigan State gives senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor time to throw the ball he is going to gash the Irish defense. Notre Dame simply cannot allow him to get comfortable in the pocket.

The goal has to be to limit the time he can hold the ball and get the ball downfield and hopefully force him into some rushed throws. That is the best way to create inefficiency in the Michigan State pass attack and ideally force O’Connor into game-changing mistakes.

SPECIAL TEAMS KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Play clean: In a game where Notre Dame has the talent and home-field advantage, it cannot allow the Spartans to get a cheap score because of the special teams. Notre Dame also cannot afford to lose scoring opportunities because of its special teams.

This means no muffs, no shanked punts, no long turns allowed and no more missed kicks.

2. Create a big play: For the Notre Dame return and coverage units, creating a big play would provide a tremendous boost. We saw this in 2011, when the Irish were out-gained by Michigan State 358-275 but won the game 31-13 due in large part to an 89-yard touchdown return by then freshman George Atkinson that put Notre Dame up 14-3.

A big return or a blocked punt could held the Irish put away the Spartans and come out on top.

3. Win the field position battle: Notre Dame is much better suited to consistently put together long drives in a winning effort. If the Irish can force Michigan State to constantly put together 75-plus yard scoring drives the result should be an Irish victory.

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