EAST LANSING - There is a chance that neither sophomore tackle Skyler Burkland nor junior guard Blake Treadwell plays a single snap for No. 10 Michigan State against No. 20 Notre Dame this weekend.

But having each player available on Saturday should put Michigan State in a position to stay functional up front were the Spartans to suffer an injury at guard, tackle, or center on Saturday night.

"We need those guys," said Roushar, "and I think it helps us quite a bit."

Burkland made his first road start at right tackle as redshirt freshman at Notre Dame last September. Treadwell got the start at center in the same game. But season-ending injuries suffered by both players crippled a Spartan offense, which was unable to sustain drives and take advantage of scoring opportunities at Notre Dame in 2011.



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