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On Saturday, Oct. 17, Michigan State returns to Spartan Stadium to take on No. 25 Northwestern, with head coach Pat Fitzgerald facing the school he once led. The Spartans (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) are eager to snap a four-game losing streak, while the Wildcats (4-1, 1-1) enter the matchup ranked 25th in the Associated Press poll.
Michigan State is coming off a devastating 38-37 overtime loss to Illinois last week. The Spartans erased a 17-point deficit and scored a touchdown in overtime, but Fitzgerald opted for a two-point conversion attempt for the win. The pass fell incomplete, leaving the Spartans heartbroken.
Northwestern, meanwhile, defeated Ball State 45-14 last week and has won two straight games. The Wildcats' only loss this season came against defending national champion Indiana. Saturday's game carries extra significance for Fitzgerald, who spent 17 seasons as Northwestern's head coach before being fired in 2023. He is the winningest coach in Wildcats history and will face his former program for the first time since taking over at Michigan State.
The game also marks the return of former Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles, who transferred to Northwestern. Chiles has been impressive this season, completing 71.4% of his passes for 1,172 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception. Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic has thrown for 1,047 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Jaziun Patterson scored four touchdowns against Illinois, including three on the ground.
Key Analysis
This matchup is steeped in narrative subplots, from Fitzgerald's reunion with Northwestern to Chiles' return to East Lansing. The Spartans' defense will need to contain Chiles and the Wildcats' efficient passing attack, while Michigan State's offense must find consistency against a Northwestern team that has allowed just 14 points in its last two games. The emotional factor could play a role, but ultimately, execution on the field will decide whether the Spartans can end their skid or the Wildcats continue their rise.
Here's how to watch Northwestern vs. Michigan State in Week 7 of the college football season:
- TV: NBC Sports Network (NBCSN)
- Streaming: Peacock
- Radio: WJR 760 AM in Detroit; Spartan Media Network
- Play-by-play: Paul Burmeister; Analyst: Yogi Roth; Sideline: Caroline Pineda
- Michigan State radio: George Blaha (play-by-play), Jehuu Caulcrick (analyst), Tre Mosley (sideline)
Kickoff: Noon Saturday at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing
Records: Northwestern 4-1, Michigan State 2-4
Series: Michigan State leads, 40-20. Saturday marks the 61st meeting between the schools. The Spartans have won three consecutive games against the Wildcats, including a 38-21 victory in their most recent meeting in 2021. Michigan State holds a 19-9 advantage in games played in East Lansing. The teams last met at Spartan Stadium in 2020, when the Spartans defeated No. 11 Northwestern, 29-20.
Odds: Northwestern is a 7-point favorite, with an over/under of 48, according to FanDuel. Moneyline: Northwestern -285, Michigan State +230. Odds are subject to change.
Originally reported by yahoo.