The Irish players were obviously shaken at Nebraska. They openly bickered; complained of not being able to hear signals, and made the kinds of errors veteran teams should never make. Add the considerable burdens listed above, and the psychology would appear to be the major issue in preparation. Coach Davie and his staff have conducted team and personal meetings to reassure the players and to urge focus on the job at hand.

All of the above lends itself to the well-worn cliché regarding football in times of extreme complexity. "Back to the basics" seems to be the only chance to get the teams into a reasonable competitive state. Simple offensive and defensive plans, an emphasis on flying around, playing with reckless abandon, and having fun, will be the order of the day. The team that buys into that thinking and simply gets back into the joy of competition will most likely win.

Michigan State bases its offensive attack around its remarkable TB, T.J. Duckett. He is 6-foot-1, 252 pounds, all speed, balance, and all man. He has been selected by one national publication as the "Most Feared" RB in America.

The Spartans' added emphasis on spreading the field is largely in hopes of taking nine man fronts off the opponents' defensive gameplans, and getting the big fellow loose more often.

Game Plan: No. 23 Notre Dame

Offense: The TB situation is a bona fide problem. All three were sluggish at Nebraska. Remember that LoVecchio's dad was in the WTC when it was bombed in '93. Though he was fine, Matt was a kid, and this situation will weigh heavily on him. Defense: Get ready to carry the load until the offense can get untracked. Load up on Duckett. You know he can beat you. Make Smoker prove he is capable. Irons, be the leader. Special Teams: You are capable of winning the game. Long snapper Crowther, forget the bad one. Throw the ball with a somewhat looser grip, and change nothing else. Walton, get four today to add to the one at Nebraska. Their unit will be so uptight it still will have problems. Players: This is tough. So is everything else worth doing. Recall what it took to rally yourselves last year. You are Notre Dame. Coaches: Simplify. No matter how you feel, be light and enthusiastic! They will reflect you. Watch the individuals carefully. Know who is responding, and who needs help.

Kevin Rogers' sophisticated offensive package was operated smoothly last year by Matt LoVecchio and the Notre Dame offensive unit. This year the combinations and permutations seem to have overloaded the circuits, and will have to be pared down to promote basic performance. One of Kevin's most important jobs will be to eliminate the early mistakes that have proved so costly in the last two games.

The two defenses are solid veteran units, although many of State's backups are freshmen. Two outstanding players, one for each squad, are sons of famous fathers. MSU's Josh Thornhill, son of Charlie "Mad Dog" Thornhill (legendary LB from the 60's), is working to become a more vocal leader, though his Dad is still lending his lungpower from the stands.

Grant Irons, Irish stellar defensive end, is Gerald Irons' son (Oakland Raiders' LB). Both players' leadership will be needed as never before in this game. Stability will be crucial after big plays and during "gut check" drives.

Michigan State is in trouble in the kicking game. The punt protection unit has assured James King of Central Michigan a place in the hall of fame, the Guinness Book of Records, and ESPN the Magazine by allowing him to block four, yes, FOUR punts against them.

The results were two TDs on the spot, and one more punched in by Central Michigan's offense. Notre Dame will exploit this -- look for the Spartans' best football players on the punt team, and that is not good either.

ESPN College Football analyst Bill Curry coached for 17 years in the college ranks. His Gameplans for marquee matchups will appear each week during the college football season.