Michigan State @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Michigan State 35, Northwestern 27

THE STORY: No. 10 Michigan State has already locked up the Big Ten Legends Division title and a subsequent spot in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 3, but the Spartans can reach double-digit wins in back-to-back seasons with a victory at Northwestern this weekend. Michigan State clinched the Legends Division by walloping Indiana last week at the same time Nebraska was losing at Michigan. The Spartans will meet either Penn State or Wisconsin, who play each other for the Leaders Division crown on Saturday.

Michigan State has won three in a row and four of the last five meetings in this series.

TV: Big Ten Network. Line: Michigan State -6.5

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten): Since a 24-3 loss at Nebraska on Oct. 29, the Spartans have won the last three, including last week’s 55-3 blowout of Indiana on Senior Day. In his final home game, quarterback Kirk Cousins continued his storied career with 272 yards and three touchdowns, most of which came before halftime. Cousins and wide receivers B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin lead the most successful senior class in Michigan State history. The Spartans have been ranked in the USA Today poll for 26 consecutive weeks, the longest streak for the school since the newspaper began the poll in 1991.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (6-5, 3-4 Big Ten): Since starting the season a disappointing 2-5, the Wildcats have reeled off four straight wins against Indiana, Nebraska, Rice and Minnesota to become bowl eligible for a school-record fifth consecutive year. In their 28-13 win over the Golden Gophers, Dan Persa threw for two touchdowns and the Northwestern defense held Minnesota quarterback Marqueis Gray to only 124 yards on 9-of-21 passing. The Wildcats are 5-0 on Senior Day under coach Pat Fitzgerald.

EXTRA POINTS:
1. Northwestern’s last win in the series was a 48-41 overtime victory on Oct. 6, 2007.
2. The Wildcats have won seven straight home finales, including six upsets.
3. The home team is only 1-5 in the last six meetings between these two teams.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 31, Michigan State 28. The upset-minded Wildcats will shock the Spartans, who will already be looking ahead to next week.