Michigan State vs Northwestern Prediction Football Picks Today 10/17/26

The Northwestern Wildcats and the Michigan State Spartans meet in week 7 college football action from Spartan Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans Prediction.

Northwestern Wildcats Recap

The Northwestern Wildcats come into this game looking to add on to their 45-14 win over Ball State last time out to sit at 4-1 this season. After this game, Northwestern will head home for a game against Rutgers.

Wildcats Win Back-To-Back Games

Aidan Chiles has thrown for 1,172 yards, 9 touchdowns and no interceptions on 71.4% passing while Caleb Komolafe leads Northwestern in rushing with 334 yards and 3 touchdowns. Joseph Himon II sits behind Komolafe on the ground with 319 yards and 3 touchdowns. Griffin Wilde leads the Wildcats in receiving with 425 yards and 24 catches along with 3 touchdowns, while Luke Dehnicke trails with 208 yards and 11 catches. On defense, Robert Fitzgerald has a team-high 45 tackles while Northwestern’s defense as a whole has combined for 8 sacks and 6 interceptions.

Michigan State Spartans Recap

The Michigan State Spartans come into this game looking to bounce back from a 38-37 loss at the hands of Illinois last time out to sit at 2-4 this season. After this game, the Spartans will head on the road for a game against UCLA.

Spartans Lose 4th In A Row

Alessio Milivojevic has thrown for 1,047 yards, 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 65.8% passing while Cam Edwards leads Michigan State in rushing with 304 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jaziun Patterson sits behind Edwards on the ground with 255 yards and 5 touchdowns. Rodney Bullard Jr. leads the Spartans in receiving with 242 yards and 19 catches along with a touchdown, while Jayden Savoury trails with 228 yards and 23 catches. On defense, Devin Vaught has a team-high 38 tackles while Michigan State’s defense as a whole has combined for 7 sacks and 2 interceptions.

Northwestern Wildcats @ Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends: Week 7

Why the Michigan State Spartans will win

• The underdog has won five of the last six games between Northwestern and Michigan State.
• Northwestern has lost four of its last five games as a favorite against teams from Michigan.
• Michigan State has covered the spread in each of its last four games against AP-ranked teams.
• The team ranked 25th in the AP Poll has failed to cover the spread in 13 of its last 16 games.
• The home team has won the first quarter in each of Northwestern’s last five games.
• Northwestern has lost the first half in each of its last seven road games.

Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win

• Michigan State has lost each of its last 12 games against AP-ranked teams.
• The favorite has won each of Michigan State’s last 12 games.
• Michigan State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games after coming off overtime.
• Northwestern has covered the spread in five of its last six games.
• Michigan State has lost the first half in each of its last 14 games as an underdog.
• The favorite has won the first quarter in each of Michigan State’s last eight games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Michigan State’s last seven October games as a home underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
• Seven of Northwestern’s last nine road games against conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Michigan State Spartans Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 7, Rhys Dakin ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for gross average yards per punt (51.6) this season.

Northwestern Wildcats Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 7, Joseph Himon II is one of only five players in the FBS to record 3+ rushing and 3+ receiving TDs this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Michigan State ranks T5th among FBS teams for sacks this season (19.0).
• Michigan State ranks T129th among FBS teams for red zone percentage against this season (95.0).
• Northwestern has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of 10+ points of any FBS team this season (4).
• Northwestern has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of 15+ points of any FBS team this season (4).

Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans Prediction

I’m on the Wildcats here. I know it’s a Pat Fitzgerald revenge game for Sparty after coaching at Northwestern for the better part of two decades. However, I just don’t believe that this Spartans team is very good, and I think that the Wildcats have developed something here with this new look offense and I look for that to carry over once again here. Give me the Wildcats laying the points.