Northwestern Wildcats vs Michigan State Spartans Prediction, 10/17/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Northwestern Wildcats vs Michigan State Spartans

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Location: Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI

TV: Peacock

Odds/Point Spread: Spartans (+7.0)

Total/Over-Under: 48.5

Spartan Stadium is the location where the Michigan State Spartans (2-4) will take on the Northwestern Wildcats (4-1) on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Northwestern opens this contest as 7-point favorites. The total has been set at 48.5.

The Northwestern Wildcats head into this matchup 4-1 for this season. In their last matchup, the Wildcats faced the Ball State Cardinals and went home with a win by a final score of 45-14. The Northwestern Wildcats ended up rushing 31 times and totaled 164 yards, which had them averaging 5.3 yards per attempt. On the day, they had 55 plays which totaled 436 yds. Northwestern surrendered 32 pass completions on 47 tries for 270 yards, and a completion percentage of 68.1%. Against the run, the Wildcats gave up 90 yds on 31 tries, which calculates to 2.9 yds per run allowed.

Concerning putting the ball in the endzone, the Northwestern Wildcats are averaging 35.4 points per outing. As a unit they're averaging 203.0 yards in the run game which has them sitting 32nd in Division 1. The Wildcats have tallied 2,187 total yards for the year. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Northwestern has totaled 9 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns. Northwestern has 112 1st downs as a team, and they have committed 41 penalties for 309 yds. They have turned the football over 2 different times.

When it comes to passing yardage, the Wildcats have allowed 1,167 yards which puts them in 71st in the nation. They have conceded 233.4 yards per game through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 61.3%. Overall, they are giving up 380.6 yards/game which ranks them 98th in D-1. They have yielded 4 touchdowns through the air and 5 touchdowns via the ground game. The opposition is running for an average of 4.4 yards per running attempt and 147.2 rushing yards per contest this year. Overall, they have allowed 736 rushing yards through 5 games. The Wildcats are ranked 23rd in Division 1 concerning their opponents scoring, allowing 16.2 points per game.

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The Spartans come into this game with a record of 2-4 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Spartans went home defeated by a final of 38-37 against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Michigan State rushed for 4.7 yards per carry, finishing the contest with 127 yds on 27 attempts. The Spartans finished with a total of 342 yards and they ran 54 plays (6.3 yds per play). The Spartans passing defense conceded a completion percentage of 70.3%, surrendering 282 yds on 26 out of 37 through the air. Michigan State relinquished 33 rush attempts for 127 yards (3.8 yards per carry).

The Michigan State Spartans hold an average of 311.7 yards per game, ranking them 123rd in the nation. The Michigan State offense has 239 penalty yds on 25 infractions, which is good for 127th in the nation in terms of helping out the opposition. They average 124.2 run yards per game and have toted the ball for 745 yards overall. They have given away 4 picks while allowing opponents to recover 3 fumbles and they have recorded 121 first downs. When looking at how much they score, the Spartans currently rank 113th in Division 1 averaging 21.3 PPG. Over the course of the season thus far, the Spartans have thrown for a total of 1,125 passing yards as well as holding an average of 187.5 throwing yards per contest, ranking them 109th in D-1.

The Spartans are relinquishing 25.7 points per contest, which has them sitting 89th in the nation. Michigan State has surrendered a total of 851 yards rushing (141.8 yards per outing) in addition to 9 touchdowns by way of the ground game so far this season. They have surrendered 10 touchdowns from the passing game in addition to 197.8 yards/game, ranking them 53rd in D-1. The Spartans defense has participated in 360 plays, which is 60th in D-1. They have 1 fumble and 2 interceptions on the campaign. Overall, they have conceded 154 pts.

Who will win tonight's Wildcats/Spartans college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Wildcats -7.0

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