Payton Thorne passed for 182 yards and two touchdowns as Michigan State ended a troubling week where eight players were suspended by defeating No. 14 Illinois 23-15 on Saturday.

It’s state championship week in Ann Arbor as the undefeated Michigan Wolverines will play host to the Michigan State Spartans Saturday under the lights at The Big House.

Jalen Berger ran for 107 yards and three touchdowns and Michigan State’s defense forced four fumbles to help the 14th ranked Spartans to a 52-0 victory over Akron.

Michigan State linebacker Darius Snow is out for the season and safety Xavier Henderson will be sidelined indefinitely after both were injured when the 15th-ranked Spartans beat Western Michigan in their season opener.

Payton Thorne capped three straight drives with touchdown passes in the first half and threw for a fourth score in the final quarter to help No. 15 Michigan State pull away and beat Western Michigan 35-13.

Michigan State is openly talking about winning a national championship.

Kenneth Walker III had a breakout performance at running back last week for Michigan State.

Kenneth Walker III ran for a career-high 264 yards and a personal-best four touchdowns in an impressive debut with his new team, and Michigan State beat Northwestern 38-21 in the season opener.