Kill, Minnesota expecting Michigan State's best

Michigan State faces Minnesota on Saturday and must win to become bowl eligible.

The Gophers have already reached the six-win mark and are eligible to head to a bowl game for the first time since 2009.

Here are some thoughts on Michigan State from Minnesota coach Jerry Kill:

On stopping Le’Veon Bell:

“It’s very important. You hit him at the line of scrimmage, he’s so big he falls forward for three yards. I think he’s carried it 26 times in the first half. I think the next back’s only had 15 carries all year. So he’s going to get the ball. And if you’re beat up or not fresh-legged against him, it’s going to be a long day. So that’s one of the big issues. We gotta make sure that our guys are feeling good, and we’re going to have to be ready for a physical football game. That’s who they are. They’re physical on defense. They’re physical on offense. A lot of people say they’ve had — this is an important game because it gets them bowl eligible. But they haven’t slipped any. They’ve just been in a heck of a lot of close games and played a lot of good people. They’re still Michigan State.”

On if playing a team that needs the win to become bowl-eligible makes it tougher:

“I think (it’s) a good team, and he’s a good coach. I don’t think it’s going to make a difference. I think each week it’s important. It’s hard to win. It’s hard to win a football game. So you know, I think every game is important to every coach and every team. … I think one way or the other Michigan State is going to come in and play good, and we’re in a situation where they need the game to get to a bowl game. So you know they’re going to get their best.”