Michigan State gets a tough test in East Lansing this week, and the matchup turns on what both teams do best. Northwestern arrives with a rushing attack that has been one of the Big Ten’s best, while the Spartans are still trying to find consistency on both sides of the ball.
Last week was a rough one for the picks. Michigan State appeared to have both of them in hand before the offense sparked late against Illinois.
The Spartans rallied to force overtime, but the two-point try to end it failed. That extra session pushed the game over the total, and the final margin left Illinois covering the spread by just one point.
It was a painful finish on both fronts.
Now Week 7 brings an unexpected spotlight game, with No. 25 Northwestern and unranked Michigan State meeting in a matchup loaded with storylines.
Pat Fitzgerald will go up against his former program, the place where he spent 17 years as head coach and built some of the Wildcats’ most successful seasons. On the other sideline is Aidan Chiles, the former Michigan State quarterback who was benched last season in favor of the Spartans’ current starter.
Chiles has been excellent this year and helped push Northwestern into the top 25. He has also said he’s excited to return to Spartan Stadium, which only adds to a game that already has plenty of intrigue.
Michigan State is still looking for steadier play after a rocky stretch. Before last week’s game against Illinois, the Spartans had been outscored 89-26 across their previous three games.
They did show a flash of what they can do when the offense gets rolling, especially in the second half against the Illini. That included a breakout ground performance from Jaziun Patterson, who scored four touchdowns.
The Spartans will want to keep feeding Patterson against a Northwestern defense that sits near the bottom of the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed. That gives Michigan State a path to staying competitive.
But Northwestern brings its own edge in the trenches. The Wildcats own the Big Ten’s third-best rushing attack so far this season, and that ground game, paired with Chiles directing the offense, is exactly the kind of combination that can stress Michigan State.
Northwestern’s lone loss came by six points to Indiana, one of the nation’s top teams. Chiles and the Wildcats controlled long stretches of that game before coming up short.
Northwestern -7.5
Under 48.5
It’s tempting to think Michigan State’s comeback against Illinois carries over, especially after the rallying cry Fitzgerald delivered last week. But one strong second half doesn’t wipe away the issues that have followed this team all season.
Northwestern is better equipped to handle this matchup, and the Wildcats should leave East Lansing with a cover in a game that stays below the number.
In Other News...
Tom Izzo May Be Leaning Toward A Surprise Starter Vs UConn
Michigan States first real test against UConn on Oct. 20 is still a little ways off, but Tom Izzo already seems to be sorting out one of the more interesting questions on his roster. Recent practice photos, along with what unfolded in the exhibition against Incarnate Word, point to true freshman Ethan Taylor as a possible starter at center, a development that would give the Spartans a different look in the frontcourt as they continue to build toward the regular season.
Anton Bonke was brought in to help stabilize that spot, so a freshman jump into the opening lineup would be worth watching closely. Izzo has never been shy about using the preseason to test combinations and see what sticks, and this appears to be one of those early decisions he is still weighing as Michigan State prepares for a challenging exhibition against a veteran opponent. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan States Deep Rotation Could Force A Big Cam Ward Shift
Michigan States preseason puzzle is less about finding enough bodies and more about fitting them all into the right spots. With a deep roster and multiple lineup combinations under consideration, the Spartans are weighing how to spread minutes in a way that keeps the group fresh while still maximizing the best matchups on the floor.
Cam Ward looks like one of the biggest variables in that equation. The sophomore forward could be in line for a larger role, and Tom Izzo has already acknowledged the possibility of using him at center to open up small-ball looks and add more tactical flexibility, a move that could end up shaping how the entire rotation settles in once the season starts. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Savoury Is Becoming A Bigger Part Of Michigan State's Future
Through the first six games, Jayden Savoury has gone from a young tight end with promise to one of Michigan States most dependable targets. The redshirt freshman has made his mark in the passing game with 228 receiving yards, tying for the team lead in receptions and giving quarterback Alessio Milivojevic a reliable option in a season where the Spartans have needed steady production from unexpected places.
What stands out most about Savoury is how he is getting it done. His contested-catch ability and athleticism have made him a tough cover, and even without a touchdown yet, he has already shown why his role keeps growing. For Michigan State, the bigger takeaway may be that one of its most consistent offensive pieces is also one of the youngest, which makes his development worth watching the rest of the way. [Read more 🡒]