Michigan State defense severely shorthanded vs. Illinois
A bye week didn’t ease Michigan State’s injury concerns. The Spartans (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten) play at Illinois (6-3, 3-3) on Saturday (2:30 p.m., FS1) and will be very shorthanded on defense. Starting cornerback Charles Brantley and starting safety Malik Spencer are both out against the Fighting Illini after being injured in a Nov.