The Heartland Line
Michigan State's struggling defense draws Chip Kelly and No. 25 Northwestern's offense
Pat Fitzgerald and Michigan State host No. 25 Northwestern, whose offense has improved sharply under first-year coordinator Chip Kelly.
Michigan State's defense has had a rough season, and Saturday it faces an offense that has taken off under a new play-caller. No. 25 Northwestern comes to East Lansing with a unit that has improved dramatically under first-year offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
On3's Paul Konyndyk reported that Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald thinks highly of Kelly as a coach. The outlet's headline calls Kelly one of the most "influential offensive figures" in football. On3 described Michigan State's defense as beleaguered and Northwestern's offense as high-powered, which is a hard combination for the home team.
Kelly's arrival has changed how Northwestern plays. The Wildcats are 4-1 and ranked, and On3's reporting gives a lot of the credit to the offense. For Michigan State, the job is to slow down an attack that has gained confidence every week. The Spartans have not managed that kind of stop often enough this fall.
The stakes are not the same for both teams. Northwestern can protect its ranking and stay in the upper half of the Big Ten race. Michigan State is 2-4 and needs wins to get its season back on track. Its margin for error in conference play is nearly gone.
The Spartans have something to build on. Fitzgerald said last week was quarterback Alessio Milivojevic's best game of the season. If Milivojevic keeps that up, Michigan State can stay on the field longer and keep Kelly's offense on the sideline. That may be the most realistic way to limit a group the defense has to stop.
The market expects Northwestern to win. On Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, the Wildcats are favored at -292, and the best sportsbook price on Northwestern is -300 at BetMGM. Michigan State is getting 7.5 points on the spread, and the total is 48.5. Full prices are on the game odds page.
That total sits below 50 even with Kelly's offense involved. Michigan State will look to Milivojevic to stretch the game out and lean on a defense that badly needs a good afternoon.
No. 25 Northwestern at Michigan State kicks off Saturday, Oct. 17, at noon EDT on Peacock.
