Michigan State vs Northwestern rivalry
Michigan State leads the series 41-19 in meetings on record since 1905.
UPCOMINGNext meeting
Northwestern 
vs 
Michigan State
vs Michigan State 2026-10-17 · TBD
Spartan Stadium
Spartan Stadium
All-time series
Michigan State 4160 meetings since 190519 Northwestern
Series leader: Michigan State.
See the full all-time Michigan State vs Northwestern head-to-head record and every meeting on record.
By decade
1900s 0 1
1910s 0 1
1920s 0 1
1950s 1 0
1960s 10 0
1970s 6 4
1980s 8 2
1990s 6 2
2000s 4 4
2010s 4 4
2020s 2 0
Series notes
Meetings played60
Series wins, Michigan State41 of 60
Series wins, Northwestern19 of 60
Decided by 3 points or fewer10 of 60
Side by side, 2026 season
Michigan State Northwestern - 18.2 18th
- Points per game
- 33.0 7th
- 23.2 12th
- Points allowed
- 16.8 8th
- 305.6 18th
- Total yards per game
- 437.8 7th
- 4.5 18th
- Yards per play
- 6.9 5th
- 123.6 15th
- Rush yards per game
- 212.8 4th
- 182.0 17th
- Pass yards per game
- 225.0 14th
- 20.4 12th
- First downs per game
- 21.5 10th
- 40.0% 13th
- Third-down rate
- 41.3% 10th
- -4 16th
- Turnover margin
- +5 4th
- 2 17th
- Takeaways
- 7 7th
- 7 12th
- Sacks
- 6 15th
- 17 18th
- Sacks allowed
- 8 12th
- 34.0 3rd
- Penalty yards per game
- 64.0 12th
- 31:41 7th
- Time of possession
- 31:01 10th
Season totals from CollegeFootballData. Small figure: rank within the Big Ten; the better side is highlighted.
Recent meetings
Results are read from official box scores and republished after every meeting.
The Big Ten Report
One conference, in your inbox every Tuesday.
Standings, the title race and one opinion on the Big Ten. No filler.
Frequently asked questions
What is the record in Michigan State vs Northwestern?
Michigan State leads the series 41-19 in meetings on record since 1905. That is Michigan State 41, Northwestern 19 across 60 meetings on record.
When do Michigan State and Northwestern play next?
The next Michigan State vs Northwestern meeting is around Week 7 of the 2026 season at Spartan Stadium.