Michigan State gives Northwestern a reality check, but Cats still on track for Big Ten title game

Michigan State spoiled Northwestern’s undefeated season, but a Big Ten title game appearance is still well within reach for the Wildcats.

Northwestern’s perfect season has come to an end.

The Wildcats were handed their first loss of the season on Saturday when they traveled to Michigan State’s Spartan Stadium and fell 29-20.

The Spartans jumped out to an early 17-0 lead before the Wildcats scraped back to take a 20-17 lead in the early stages of the fourth quarter.

In the end, Northwestern watched their hopes of remaining undefeated die on the foot of Michigan State’s Matt Coghlin, who kicked the go-ahead and winning field goals in the fourth before a game-ending scoop-and-score sealed the deal as time ran out.

Northwestern still controls their own destiny despite Michigan State’s win

It may be a huge bummer for Northwestern to have lost to a team they were favored to beat by nearly a touchdown. However, their broader hopes for the season remain very much intact.

The Big Ten West is a mess. Iowa, Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois and Nebraska already have two losses or more. Wisconsin is the only other one-loss team in the division and they have played three games this season. Since Northwestern holds the key tie-breaker over the Badgers after last week’s 17-7 win, they are still very much the favorite to head to the Big Ten Championship Game.

The wake-up call at the hands of Michigan should just remind the Wildcats not to take their final opponents lightly. With wins over Minnesota and Illinois, they will punch a ticket to play the Big Ten East Champion, likely Ohio State.

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