EAST LANSING – Michigan State sophomore Trishton Jackson travelled to Dallas last January to support his older brother Obbie Jackson, who played a key role for Western Michigan in the nickel defense as a redshirt freshman in 2016.

On Saturday, Trishton and Obbie may find themselves lined up across from each other when the Spartans host the in-state Broncos at 3:30 in Spartan Stadium. Trishton is a wide receiver for the Spartans and Obbie plays cornerback for the Broncos.

The younger of the two, says he'll be ready for anything his brother might throw at him.

“I know him well enough, but I watched him for an hour today, just to get down the little stuff that he does that I don’t know,” Jackson said. “I know him like the back of my hand.”

Jackson has never played football against his brother, but he has sparred against him in the boxing ring, and it didn't go well.

“I’ve never gotten to compete against him because we were always on the same team,” Jackson said. “But I know how he is, and how he is going to come, and I’ve got to be prepared.”

Jackson would be disappointed if he doesn’t match-up against his older brother. “I want to score on him,” he said.

Matching wits with his older brother is just one of the challenges Jackson will face against a solid WMU secondary, which features talented senior playmaker Darius Phillips, a ball-hawking corner, and dynamic return man.

“Just his athletic ability, him being an athlete and being fast, and going up and getting it,” Jackson said, when asked what stood out about Phillips during film study.

Jackson caught three passes for 41 yards in the season opener against Bowling Green. He was one of seven Spartan wideouts with at least one reception Week 1.

“We are a youthful group, but we just want to keep pushing it, next week, and the week after that, and week after that,” Jackson said. “We want to keep setting the bar higher and higher for us.”