One game on the first weekend of October shouldn't matter so much - but this one does.

If the 2014 Nebraska Cornhuskers have any hopes of being taken seriously as the best team in the Big Ten, and a college football playoff hopeful, they need to win at Michigan State Saturday night.

It's that simple.

Illinois v Nebraska
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMPER 27: during their game at Memorial Stadium on September 27, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
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The #19 Huskers come in 5-0 after beating Illinois 45-14 last weekend in Lincoln.

It was a game that saw Nebraska run all over the Illini defense early on, but the Husker offense could manage just seven first quarter points, before getting some help from the defense and turning it into a rout.

I asked the 'Voice of The Cornhuskers', Greg Sharpe, about that unusual start, on what turned out to be an easy day against Illinois at Memorial Stadium:

Eastern Michigan v Michigan State - Connor Cook
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
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Saturday, the Huskers battle the 10th ranked Spartans, who come in 3-1 after a loss at #2 Oregon in week two.

MSU is averaging 50 points a game, thanks to a breakthrough season from junior quarterback Connor Cook, who leads the Big Ten, and is #3 in the nation, in pass efficiency.

The Spartans won 41-28 in Lincoln last November, after forcing five Nebraska turnovers.

Greg says despite that two touchdown loss, there were some encouraging signs for the Huskers against Michigan State in 2013 that could prove big this weekend:

Kickoff is 7:00pm CDT Saturday in East Lansing.

A win would move Nebraska to 6-0 for the first time in 2001.

Catch all of the Cornhusker action all season long on ESPN 99.1.

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