Michigan State vs. Northwestern: Week 7 Betting Predictions

Last week brought a double whammy of brutal losses. Both picks looked all but wrapped up before Michigan State's offense came clawing back in the second half. The Spartans forced overtime, but their game-ending two-point conversion attempt failed.

The overtime period pushed the game over the total, while the final result left Illinois covering the spread by a single point. It was a painful way to lose both picks.

The books got a clean sweep last week, but we're back for more this week.

Week 7 wasn't supposed to feature a matchup between No. 25 Northwestern and an unranked Michigan State team as one of the week's headliners, yet here we are.

The storylines are plentiful, highlighted by two revenge games.

Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald will face his alma mater, Northwestern, where he spent 17 years as head coach and helped lead the Wildcats through some of the most successful seasons in program history. On the other side is Aidan Chiles, the former Spartans quarterback who was benched last season in favor of Michigan State's current starter.

Chiles has been stellar this year, helping lead Northwestern into the top 25. He's also expressed excitement about returning to Spartan Stadium, adding another layer to a matchup that offers plenty of intrigue beyond the field.

The betting lines:

Michigan State's offense and defense have struggled to give fans much to celebrate this season. Before last week's showdown with Illinois, the Spartans had been outscored 89-26 over their previous three games.

Michigan State struggled out of the gate against Illinois but turned on the burners in the second half, showcasing just how dangerous its offense can be. The Spartans also appear to have found some footing in the ground game with Jaziun Patterson, who scored four touchdowns last week.

They'll look to lean on Patterson again against a Northwestern defense that ranks near the bottom of the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed.

However, the Wildcats have a strength of their own on the ground, boasting the Big Ten's third-best rushing attack so far this season. With Chiles leading the offense and a strong running game behind him, Northwestern has the tools to give Michigan State trouble.

The Wildcats' only blemish this season was a six-point loss to Indiana, one of the nation's top teams. Chiles and Northwestern dominated stretches of that game before ultimately falling short.

Between Chiles' revenge game, Northwestern's strong rushing attack and Michigan State's inconsistency, the Wildcats have plenty working in their favor.

As much as I want to believe that the rallying cry Fitzgerald delivered to his Spartans last week will carry over into a big win or a close game this weekend, I'm not buying in just yet.

Michigan State showed plenty of fight against Illinois, but one strong second half isn't enough to erase the concerns that have followed this team throughout the season.

The Wildcats come to Spartan Stadium and take care of business, covering the spread in a game that stays under the total.