Game Thread: Michigan State at Northwestern

The Michigan State Spartans open up the 2021 regular season tonight against their long-standing cross-division rival the Northwestern Wildcats. The game is noteworthy for a number of reasons.

Besides being the season opener for both, it also marks the Big Ten opener as well. For Michigan State, this is the first time opening the season on the road against a Big Ten opponent since 1982. It marks the 60th all-time meeting between the two programs, a series MSU leads 39-20. Finally, it marks the final annual cross-over game between the two in this stretch of the series. After the first six seasons in a nine-game conference format, the Spartans move on to play Minnesota as the annual cross-division opponent beginning in 2022. The Spartans and Wildcats will not face off again until 2024 in East Lansing.

TOC Football Content Review:

• How to watch: Michigan State at Northwestern
• Game Preview: Michigan State at Northwestern
• TOC Staff Picks: Northwestern
• The 3-2-1 Preview: 3 things we want to see, 2 key stats and 1 best bet vs. Northwestern
• Get to Know the Opponent: Northwestern
• 5 Questions with Inside NU
• Spartan Football Playback: Michigan State vs. Northwestern (2006)
• MSU Football Names Game Captains vs. Northwestern
• Bad Betting Advice, Week One: Start Me Up