The Big Ten season gets started in Week One when the Michigan State Spartans visit the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday, September 3, 2021. Northwestern is coming off a surprising 2020 season, while Michigan State is in full rebuilding mode. This game will air live on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. EST.
Michigan State had a horrendous offseason and that translated to the regular season as the Spartans sputtered to a 2-5 record. It was the first time since the 2016 season that Sparty did not participate in a bowl game. Second year head coach Mel Tucker will hope a normal offseason will lead to better results in 2021.
Northwestern relied on a strong defense to finish 2020 with a surprising 7-2 record (6-1 in the Big Ten) and a Big Ten Championship game appearance. The Wildcats fell 22-10 to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game, but finished the season with a solid 35-19 win, over Auburn, in the Citrus Bowl. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald continues to get in done in Evanston.
Below is the College Football pred, and preview, for the battle between the Michigan State Spartans and Northwestern Wildcats. All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Michigan State Spartans at Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends
Michigan State
- Michigan State is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Michigan State’s last 5 games.
- Michigan State is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
- Michigan State is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on the road.
- Michigan State is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Northwestern.
- Michigan State is 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Michigan State’s last 6 games played in September.
- Michigan State is 11-0 SU in their last 11 games played in week 1.
Northwestern
- Northwestern is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Northwestern’s last 9 games.
- Northwestern is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Northwestern’s last 5 games against Michigan State.
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Northwestern’s last 7 games at home.
- Northwestern is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Michigan State.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Northwestern’s last 8 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
- Northwestern is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games played in September.
- Northwestern is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games played in week 1.
- Northwestern is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing as the favourite.
Michigan State returns some offensive talent in 2021 and will rely on Senior QB Anthony Russo to lead them. The best offensive player is Wide Receiver Jalen Nailor, and he will be joined by fellow receiver Jayden Reed and Running Back Kenneth Walker. Defensively, the Spartans will rely on their front seven and return lineman Drew Beesley and Jacub Panasiuk, and Linebackers Noah Harvey and Chase Kline. Sparty’s best defensive player is in the Secondary as Safety Xavier Howard is a budding star.
Northwestern had a putrid offense last season, so they will be looking for Senior QB Hunter Johnson to be more efficient come 2021. Johnson is lacking weapons, but Wide Receiver Stephon Robinson will provide some production. The offensive line will be the strongpoint of the Wildcats offense as Center Sam Gerak and Tackle Peter Skoronski are both future Sunday players. Defensively, the Wildcats will once again be strong and will be led by Sophomore Safety Brandon Joseph, one of the nation’s best all-around safeties.
Series History: Michigan State has won the past two meetings and leads the all-time series 39-20
Michigan State at Northwestern Football Pick: Northwestern -3.5 to easily win, and cover, Friday night.