With a 4-1 record and a sparkling new stadium, Northwestern has unexpectedly become a team that has factored into the national college football zeitgeist six full weeks into the 2026 season.

The Wildcats will look to continue that early run of success against a familiar face.

Northwestern will try to get one step closer to bowl eligibility when it heads to East Lansing, Michigan to take on Michigan State and former Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald in a Week 7 matchup on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Spartan Stadium.

It will be the first time Northwestern has faced off against Fitzgerald since he was fired by his alma mater in July 2023 in the wake of widespread allegations of hazing within the program. Fitzgerald, a former All-American linebacker with the Wildcats, had been the program's head coach for 17 seasons, going 110-101 in that time. Last December, about three months after reaching a settlement in a wrongful termination lawsuit with Northwestern, Fitzgerald was hired at Michigan State. His first team has struggled thus far, with a 2-4 record halfway through the regular season.

Fitzgerald won't be the only person going against their old school. Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles will be going against a Spartan program where he spent the previous two seasons before transferring to the Wildcats after the 2025 season. At his new home, he has thrived in offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's scheme, completing 71.4% of his passes for 1,172 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions, along with six rushing touchdowns.

Here's how to watch the Northwestern vs. Michigan State game, including the TV channel, start time, streaming information and more:

What TV channel is Northwestern vs Michigan State on today?

Northwestern and Michigan State football's Week 7 game will not air on traditional linear television.

Rather, it will be streamed exclusively on Peacock, NBC's subscription streaming platform. Paul Burmeister (play-by-play) and Yogi Roth (analyst) will be on the call while Caroline Pineda will serve as the sideline reporter.

Northwestern vs Michigan State time today

Northwestern and Michigan State are scheduled for a noon ET kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 17 from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.

Northwestern vs Michigan State picks, predictions, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Prediction: Northwestern 27, Michigan State 19

The Wildcats have been a pleasant surprise this season, particularly on offense. Kelly will be able to devise just enough schematic wizardry to put Chiles in advantageous positions, helping Northwestern get out of East Lansing with a win against a struggling Spartans program.