Michigan State’s trip to Northwestern brings more than just another Big Ten game to the slate. It puts Pat Fitzgerald and Aidan Chiles on opposite sidelines of their old programs, turning a conference matchup into a personal one for both sides.
For Fitzgerald, the setting carries obvious weight. He was relieved of his duties at Northwestern three years ago after allegations that were later dismissed. The school ultimately moved on from the coach who spent 17 seasons leading the program - and who also played there - despite the resume he built in Evanston, which included a Big Ten championship, multiple upsets, several bowl trips, winning seasons and top-25 finishes.
After a stretch away from the game, Fitzgerald resurfaced at Michigan State. The move gave him a fresh start, but the first season in East Lansing has been rough. The Spartans are 2-4 overall and 0-3 in Big Ten play, which leaves Fitzgerald with plenty to prove in his return to face his former school.
Even with the storyline baked in, Fitzgerald has tried to keep the focus off himself. He has been careful about how he talks about the game, making clear that his attention is on the players and the matchup itself.
Fitzgerald said, "This week is not about me. It's about the players on both teams."
That stance fits the job, but it doesn’t erase the significance of the moment. After 21 years tied to Northwestern as both a player and head coach, Fitzgerald is back in front of the program that shaped his career, and this time he’ll be trying to beat it.
Chiles brings a different kind of baggage into the game. He followed Jonathan Smith to Michigan State with hopes of becoming the quarterback who could help steer the Spartans in the right direction. His first season in East Lansing showed flashes, and optimism was high going into year two.
The skills were there - quick feet, the ability to get away from pressure - but the passing game never found enough consistency. Michigan State started to look like it might be headed somewhere, but injuries and, in my opinion, questionable play-calling kept the offense from reaching the level many expected. With four games left in the season, Alessio Milivojevic took over at quarterback, and Chiles’ run with the Spartans effectively ended.
He transferred to Northwestern in the offseason looking for one more chance to prove himself. So far, he has delivered.
The Wildcats have played their way into the College Football Playoff conversation, and Chiles has been central to that rise. He had Northwestern in position to beat Indiana before it slipped away late, and the broader body of work has shown the Wildcats can hang with some of the best teams around.
Michigan State enters this one still hunting for its first Big Ten win. The Spartans will need a complete performance to spring the upset, while Chiles gets a shot to show his former team exactly what it lost.
So the game carries a little bit of everything: Fitzgerald going back to Northwestern, Chiles lining up against Michigan State, and both teams trying to leave a mark in the conference race. One of them will walk away with the statement win.
In Other News...
Michigan States UCLA Trip Just Took A Dramatic Turn
UCLAs fast start under Bob Chesney has made the Bruins one of the more intriguing opponents on Michigan States schedule, with a 5-0 record and a No. 12 national ranking giving the trip real weight for the Spartans. But the matchup in two weeks now comes with a major twist, because the Bruins have lost star quarterback Nico Iamaleava to a season-ending knee injury suffered in the win over Oregon.
Ty Dieffenbach, a senior transfer, is expected to step in under center, which changes both the look and the feel of what Michigan State is preparing for. The Spartans still have to deal with a confident UCLA team that has started fast, but they will be facing a different offense than the one that helped build that early-season momentum. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Izzo May Be Leaning Toward A Surprise Starter Vs UConn
Michigan States trip into exhibition season already has a wrinkle worth watching, with Tom Izzo continuing to sort through his lineup before the Oct. 20 meeting with UConn. Recent practice photos and the exhibition against Incarnate Word have pointed toward a possible surprise in the middle, where true freshman Ethan Taylor has emerged as a candidate to start at center.
Anton Bonke was brought in as a transfer to help stabilize that spot, so any shift in the pecking order would say plenty about where Izzo thinks the Spartans are headed heading into the regular season. The competition at center is still open, and the next few days should offer a clearer read on whether Michigan State is leaning toward experience, or trusting a freshman to handle one of the toughest jobs on the floor. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan States Deep Rotation Could Force A Big Cam Ward Shift
Michigan States upcoming season is already shaping up around one of Tom Izzos favorite kinds of questions: how to keep a deep roster engaged while still finding the right combinations on the floor. With so many lineup possibilities in play, the Spartans are looking at ways to spread minutes across a crowded group and create flexibility without losing the edge that comes from having size and skill available in multiple spots.
One of the more interesting ripple effects could involve sophomore forward Cam Ward, who may wind up with a bigger role than initially expected. Izzo has acknowledged the possibility of using Ward at center, which would give Michigan State another option for small-ball looks and help the staff maximize its depth. For a team trying to balance talent, versatility and playing time, where Ward fits could end up being one of the more telling decisions of the preseason. [Read more 🡒]