The No. 25 Northwestern Wildcats (4-1) visit the Michigan State Spartans (2-4) on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET, and the game airs on Peacock (streaming). DraftKings lists the spread at NU -7.5 with a total of 48.5; moneylines are Northwestern -325 · Michigan State +260. Below is our Northwestern vs Michigan State preview with the latest odds, point spread, moneyline, over/under, kickoff time, TV channel and where to watch, plus a look at each team’s season so far, head coach and key players. Lines may move before kickoff.
Northwestern vs Michigan State Odds, Spread, Kickoff Time & TV
| Matchup detail | Line / info |
|---|---|
| Matchup | No. 25 Northwestern at Michigan State |
| Records | Northwestern 4-1 · Michigan State 2-4 |
| Spread | NU -7.5 |
| Moneyline | Northwestern -325 · Michigan State +260 |
| Total | 48.5 |
| Venue | Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI |
| Date/Time | Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 12:00 PM ET |
| TV / How to Watch | Peacock (streaming) |
| Head Coaches | Northwestern: HC David Braun, OC Chip Kelly · Michigan State: HC Pat Fitzgerald, OC Nick Sheridan |
Northwestern Preview: Season So Far, Coach & Key Players
Season so far: The Northwestern Wildcats are 4-1 overall, 1-1 in Big Ten play, and they are ranked No. 25 in this week’s AP Top 25. Results to date: Sep 5 — W 34-18 vs South Dakota State; Sep 19 — W 41-7 vs Colorado; Sep 25 — L 29-23 at Indiana; Oct 2 — W 34-13 vs Penn State; Oct 10 — W 45-14 vs Ball State. Most recently, Northwestern beat Ball State 45-14 at home. Through 5 games, Northwestern is averaging 35.4 points scored and 16.2 points allowed per game.
Head coach: David Braun (head coach since 2023). Offensive coordinator: Chip Kelly. Defensive coordinator: Tim McGarigle.
Key players (2026 season stats):
- Passing leader: Aidan Chiles (QB) — 80/112, 1,172 yards, 9 TD
- Rushing leader: Caleb Komolafe (RB) — 60 carries, 334 yards, 3 TD
- Receiving leader: Griffin Wilde (WR) — 24 receptions, 425 yards, 3 TD
- Sacks leader: Braydon Brus (LB) — 3 sacks
- Tackles leader: Robert Fitzgerald (DB) — 45 total tackles
Strengths: An offense scoring 35.4 points per game; a defense allowing only 16.2 points per game. Questions: Handling a road trip to Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State Preview: Season So Far, Coach & Key Players
Season so far: The Michigan State Spartans are 2-4 overall, 0-3 in Big Ten play. Results to date: Sep 4 — W 30-20 vs Toledo; Sep 12 — W 35-7 vs Eastern Michigan; Sep 19 — L 27-10 at Notre Dame; Sep 26 — L 31-13 vs Nebraska; Oct 3 — L 31-3 at Wisconsin; Oct 10 — L 38-37 vs Illinois. Most recently, Michigan State lost to Illinois 38-37 at home. Through 6 games, Michigan State is averaging 21.3 points scored and 25.7 points allowed per game.
Head coach: Pat Fitzgerald (first season in charge). Offensive coordinator: Nick Sheridan. Defensive coordinators: Max Bullough / Joe Rossi.
Key players (2026 season stats):
- Passing leader: Alessio Milivojevic (QB) — 102/155, 1,047 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT
- Rushing leader: Cam Edwards (RB) — 64 carries, 304 yards, 3 TD
- Receiving leader: Rodney Bullard Jr. (WR) — 19 receptions, 242 yards, 1 TD
- Sacks leader: Eli Coenen (DL) — 3 sacks
- Tackles leader: Devin Vaught (S) — 38 total tackles
Strengths: The production of Alessio Milivojevic (102/155, 1,047 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT). Questions: A defense allowing 25.7 points per game; the response to a 38-37 loss to Illinois.
How to Watch Northwestern vs Michigan State
- Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
- Venue: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
- TV / Streaming: Peacock (streaming)
Odds: DraftKings lines reported via ESPN as of October 12, 2026 2:12 AM PT (Arizona time). Lines may move before kickoff. Records, results and season stats via ESPN; coaching staffs per 2026 staff listings. This page is an informational matchup preview only.