College Football 27 Predicts Michigan State Football Vs Northwestern

On Saturday, Michigan State football takes on Northwestern at noon EST. The Spartans enter looking for their first win of the conference slate against Northwestern, Pat Fitzgerald’s old team before his controversial and unceremonious ousting in 2023. On the other sidelines is also Aidan Chiles, the two-year Spartan starting quarterback that was replaced by Alessio Milivojevic at the end of last season.

Both the coaches and players have downplayed the game, with the most ‘inflammatory’ remark being Chiles saying he is excited to play MSU. Breaking news, a quarterback wants to play another team.

The other main headline heading into Saturday’s game is injuries. The Spartans are down four corners and three linebackers, alongside left tackle Ben Murawski. Meanwhile, Northwestern is missing star defensive back Robert Fitzgerald.

That is enough talking, it is time to turn to EA Sports’s College Football 27 and simulate this game.

Mandatory Reminder: This is a video game SIMULATION. This is NOT REAL.

(Note: All injured players were removed from the depth charts. This was a computer vs. computer game, I did not call a single play for either squad.)

First Quarter

The simulation Spartans got the ball first, starting with a run up the gut by Jaziun Patterson. They decided to pass after that, but Alijah Jones read Alessio Milivojevic like a book, recording a pick six after a pass sailed. Worse yet, the Spartans were flagged for holding, which was obviously declined.

The Spartans threw together a drive on the next chance, taking the ball down to the Northwestern red zone, aided by a roughing the passer penalty on third down. Naturally, the Spartans fumbled at the opposing 16-yard line, which was returned by Damon Walters to the MSU36.

Chiles drove the Wildcats right down the field, with four passes of nine-or-more yards to four pass catchers, with Joseph Himon II scoring on a catch in the flat and turning that into a 14-yard score. It was 14-0 before 10 minutes elapsed in the ball game.

Robert Wright Jr., starting in place of Ben Murawski, was whistled for a false start to open the next drive. Milivojevic responded with a 31-yard laser to Brennan Parachek. Jaziun Patterson one-upped the next play, running for 32 yards to put MSU in the Wildcat red zone again. Milivojevic found Fredrick Moore on a crossing route to score and halve the lead.

Aidan Chiles was forced to scramble on the next drive, and stuffed for no gain on the Spartan 47-yard line to force a punt.

A 15-yard pass to McCray followed by an incompletion called quarter.

Second Quarter

Milivojevic had two more incompletions, drawing Rhys Dakin out to punt. Chiles threw a pass to former teammate Nikai Martinez, who returned it all the way to the Wildcat 10-yard line.

Milivojevic took advantage after a 3-yard run by Patterson, finding Moore for another touchdown to even the game out.

The Spartans forced a three-and-out, but Michael Kilbane sacked Milivojevic to force a Spartan three-and-out.

The Wildcats only needed four plays on the next drive, with two completions to Drew Wagner, including a 42-yard bomb to make it 21-14.

Patterson rushed for 33 yards to open the next drive, by Damon Walters forced another turnover, picking Milivojevic off and returning it 24 yards.

Three plays later, Chiles found Wagner for another score, making it a two touchdown game for MSU to rally from, again.

The Spartans drove to the Wildcat 36-yard line, including a nice 16-yard pass to Rod Bullard Jr. However, Liam Boyd missed a 53-yard field goal. Chiles was sacked by Kekai Burnett on third down and punted, which was downed at the MSU6 at the two-minute warning.

The Spartans had two incompletions and a three-yard run before punting to the Wildcat 36.

The Wildcats got a first but two knockdowns, one apiece by Martinez and Burt, made Northwestern kneel it to half.

Halftime

MSU 14

Northwestern 28

Third Quarter

The Wildcats received the ball and drove down the field, including a fourth down pass to Himon II for a conversion. It was wrapped up with a nine-yard strike to Caleb Komolafe.

The Wildcats overcame three separate penalties to kick a field goal and make it 38-14.

Milivojevic threw another pick to give the Wildcats the ball in MSU territory. The ground game gashed the Spartans this time, and Northwestern took another field goal to make it 41-14.

The Spartans rushed twice and then Milivojevic was forced to scramble, being dragged down for no gain to make it fourth-and-six to call quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Milivojevic again was forced to run, and was tripped up after a yard to turn the ball over on his 30-yard line. Five plays later, Chiles found Hayden Eligon II for a score to make it 48-14.

The Spartans had two straight plays of 12+ yards before a Rakeem Johnson hold set the offense back. Milivojevic threw three straight incompletions after a five yard gain by Bullard to turn the ball over on the MSU41.

The Wildcats elected for a 49-yard field goal on fourth-and-inches, knocking it through for a 51-14 lead.

Milivojevic and the Spartans again went for it on fourth down, and Caden O’Rourke sacked the quarterback for another turnover on his own 15-yard line.

The Wildcats drained two minutes of clock on rushes before another field goal to lead 54-14.

For some reason, the Spartans still trotted Milivojevic out, and he found McCray on a screen that the receiver took 67 yards to the house, cutting the deficit from 40 points to 33. If I’m nitpicking here, going for two was the last chance to cut it from a five-possession game to a four-possession game. Just saying.

Northwestern remained draining clock, with three rushes of two-or-less yards before a punt. Another Rakeem Johnson hold set the Spartans back, but Patterson had a 35-yard rush to set the Spartans on the Wildcat 5, all while Johnson went down with injury. Parrish rushed for two yards before the two-minute timeout.

Parrish punched the ball in from three yards out after the break and made it 54-28. The Wildcats got the normal kickoff and knelt it out.

Aidan Chiles got the last laugh against Michigan State football, with 359 passing yards, 17 rush yards, and five touchdowns.

FINAL

Northwestern 54

Michigan State Football 28