Week 1 Program Comparison: Northwestern vs. Michigan State
This Friday, the Wildcats will open the 2021 season at home against the Michigan State Spartans, so we’ve pulled together a side-by-side comparison of the teams’ latest stats to see where each stand going into the game.
Rank
NU: No. 33 in the AP poll (receiving votes)
MSU: N/A
Head Coach
NU: Pat Fitzgerald, 16th season, (106-81 all-time)
MSU: Mel Tucker, 2nd season, (2-5 all-time)
2020 Record
NU: 7-2 overall, 6-2 in Big Ten; won Big Ten West
MSU: 2-5 overall, 2-5 in Big Ten; finished last in Big Ten East
Series Record
Michigan State leads the all-time series 35-15, winning last year’s matchup at home 29-20.
Week 1 Depth Chart: vs. Michigan State#GoCats | @coachfitz51 pic.twitter.com/Wl6Dfc0OeE
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) August 30, 2021
Last 10 Matchups
From 2005 to 2020, the Wildcats hold a 6-4 series edge over the Spartans.
Current Win Streak
Michigan State currently holds a two-year win streak against Northwestern (2019-2020).
Returning Production
Offense
NU: 29% offensive production, No. 127/127 in FBS.
MSU: 80% offensive production, No. 37/127 in FBS.
Defense:
NU: 39% defensive production, No. 125/127 in FBS.
MSU: 59% defensive production, No. 99/127 in FBS.
Total:
NU: 34% total production, No. 126/127 in FBS.
MSU: 69% total production, No. 64/127 in FBS.
Other Numbers to Know
NU: It’s been 278 days since the Wildcats fell to the Spartans in the final minutes of last season’s matchup. This year, fans can expect the Cats to take the field ready for redemption.
MSU: The 2021 Spartans roster includes 21 transfers, 20 new freshmen, and 19 others players who have not seen playing time with the program. With so many new faces on the field, anything is possible.
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Alyssa Haduck is a reporter for Wildcats Daily on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. She has also written for the Washington Football Team, the United States Golf Association, and the University of Maryland athletic department. Haduck is currently a graduate student studying sports journalism at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.