EAST LANSING -- Michigan State's rivalry against Ohio State was recently named the best modern rivalry in college sports. Its Michigan rivalry has grown in intensity since last year's classic ending.

But even after two years off, Spartans coach Mark Dantonio always mentions Notre Dame along with the Spartans' other rials.

"This has been a traditional type rivalry, and we've embraced that as we have so many of our other rivalries," Dantonio said.

That rivalry will resume on Saturday, when No. 12 Michigan State (1-0) travels to Notre Dame (1-1), for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Then, Michigan State will be looking to end a three-game losing streak against the Irish, its longest losing streak against any team under Dantonio.

This year's rivalry takes on an added significance in the 50th year since the two teams' famed "Game of the Century" matchup, something Dantonio said he's spoken

"That's 50 years ago, but it connects us," Dantonio said. "Once you've been some place, and once a program has been to a certain place, I guess, in history, then it can always return to that place."

While Notre Dame has already played a marquee game in Texas (an overtime loss) and beaten Nevada, the Spartans head into the game largely as an unknown. Michigan State opened with a 28-13 win over Furman, but was on a bye last week.

"We've only played one game," Dantonio said. "As I said, we've been working for six weeks, one game. You don't know a lot about it."

MICHIGAN STATE NOTES

Ed Davis update: Dantonio updated linebacker Ed Davis' status for the second time in as many days, saying that he expects him to play against Notre Dame. How much he plays will depend on how well he practices this week, Dantonio said.

Depth chart: Michigan State made few changes to its depth chart after the first week of play. L.J. Scott is now listed as the team's starting tailback, with Madre London and Gerald Holmes as OR players in the second spot. The three were all listed as co-starters previously. Davis is also listed as a backup strong-side linebacker to Chris Frey. Andrew Dowell is the starting Star linebacker, with Jon Reschke behind him.