NU @ MSU Prediction Thread

[rmndcat]

Northwestern hits the road this weekend after a spectacular debut at its new home, The Library at Ryan Field. The ‘Cats dominated Penn State on national TV and had a convincing, if imperfect, win against Ball State in the new place.

They head to East Lansing to face former coach and Northwestern legend Pat Fitzgerald and his current Michigan State Spartan team, who are struggling this year, having most recently lost in overtime to the Fighting Illini.

Northwestern is favored and should be stronger in all phases of the game. However, the Spartans managed to stage a furious comeback in last week’s game to go to overtime and only lost on a failed two-point conversion. So they have the potential to put up a fight. And there will be storylines with both Fitzgerald playing his alma mater and longtime employer, and also for NU QB Aiden Chiles, who was a portal transfer from MSU in the offseason.

Fitz’s alma mater 35
Fitz’s current gig 13

 

[Alvious]

School that fired Fitz 45
School that will fire Fitz 24

 

[JustGary]

Milovojevic is a good quarterback. I believe he can get his yards. However, the MSU running game is not that great and outside of Indiana, we have been pretty good at stopping the run. I think MSU will move the ball but will have trouble scoring.

what I am real excited about is our offense against their defense. I think Chip will find a way to exploit and we will see a big day. Our only limit will be possessions.

So I’m going high score on this.

NU 44
MSU 24

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I'm gonna pass on this one. Still butt-hurt about Pat(erno) Fitzgerald. I'm not sure I even want to watch

 

[NU'06er]

New Purple 27
Old Purple 15

 

[FlossmoorCat]

NU 31
MSU 17

 

[eddie_gocats]

Nervous about this game. Expect the Kelly Way to win out. But like always, wouldn't be surprised if we lose to a motivated, desperate FItz team.

 

[stpaulcat]

MSU some
NU more

 

[darmok]

Fitz’s former team: 34
Chiles’ former team: 10

 

[TheC]

NU 31
MSU 24

 

[Deeringfish]

NU 38
MSU 13

 

[GECat2]

NU -43
MSU - 17

 

[stpaulcat]

NU -43
MSU - 17

That's funny

 

[Eurocat]

MSU 28
NU 24

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

MSU injury article

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/michigan-state-footballs-injury-report-003106440.html

 

[Figrating II]

More than a football game both for the Fitz and Chiles emotion attached to it and because MSU is getting desperate. Though MSU brings their best game of the season, NU is better.

NU - 30
MSU - 20

 

[AtlantaCat]

NU 27
MSU 24

 

[eastbaycat99]

You must have sympathy for Joe Rossi in his prep as DC for MSU this week.

His defense will have 4 of his top DBs and 3 of is top LBs , out due to injury, and he has to game plan to stop the Chip Kelly travelling circus.

in addition to drawing up a plan to Stop NU, he has to make sure his inexperienced sudden starters understand their assignments against all the unusual schemes the Cats have run so far this year. He must be a busy man.

The MSU offense showed signs of life in the second half against the Illini.

My guess is that Rossi plays a soft zone mixed in with a higher than normal number of 6 man blitzes, and that Fitz decides he needs to use the pass more than he likes. MSU needs to pressure Chiles, but rushing 5 is a fool’s errand since all season he has rolled away from the fifth rusher. I expect Wilde to have a field day as he finds holes in the MSU zone, and the RBs will have as many receiving as rushing yards.

Take the over.

i think the final is something like:

NU 45
MSU 24

 

[Jaguar 88]

MSU injury article

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/michigan-state-footballs-injury-report-003106440.html

I wonder if it is a ploy. If not that will give us an edge!

 

[SouthportCat]

NU 56
MSU 14

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

I’d like us to win big not only because Fitz is coaching the opposition but also that a solid tromping would further verify NU really is a top 25 program. A 3-4 touchdown victory would be a good indicator. Our defense continues to shut down the opposing offense, our offense runs over their defense. Cats 41- MSU 17 Go Cats!

Aside- I felt a little funny seeing an animated Fitz on the sidelines waving towels to the Spartan fans encouraging them to cheer and him supposedly flipping off the other side. It just made me feel different about him compared to his time at NU as a player & coach. Now that he is back in the game I guess it’s an adjustment that’s hard for me to make seeing him on the other side. I really feel the disconnection to NU since the reality has set in that he is now the Spartan HC. It’s like Pete Rose playing for the Expos & the Phillies having grown up seeing him play for the Reds.