Sep 3, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs with the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the fourth quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
The Michigan State football team got off to a better Week 1 start than virtually anybody expected. After a rocky Week 1 loss to Rutgers in the 2020 season, many fans were rightfully nervous about this matchup against Northwestern, wary of a repeat early-season performance.
With the Wildcats coming off of a 7-2 season that saw them ranked in the top ten at the end of the season, the idea that Mel Tucker could suffer a bad opening game loss in his second consecutive season seemed even more likely.