7UP isn’t just a soft drink, it’s where the Michigan State Spartans meet for the first time since 1966.

count them. There’s West Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Notre Dame, Northern Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, and with its win over Illinois, Michigan State is undefeated at 7-0 and now ranks eighth nationally in AP polls and Top 25 Coaches.

This is heady territory for the state of Michigan. In 1966, Michigan State was 9-0 and ranked second when the Spartans hosted number one Notre Dame. The game, dubbed the Game of the Century by the media, ended in a 10–10 draw when Irish manager Ara Parseghian decided to play for a draw rather than risk winning or losing. In the end, both teams were awarded national championships due to the tie, leaving both teams with 9-0-1 records.

Time has changed the current landscape, as there are no ties in soccer: both college and professional teams now play overtime periods to determine a winner.

Against Illinois, the Illini went into halftime with a 6-3 lead as the Spartans played a really flat first half.

That all changed when the Spartans won the second half 23-zip, scoring a field goal in the 3rd quarter followed by a 48-yard field goal from Kirk Cousins ​​to BJ Cunningham and another field goal.

Another field goal was added in the 4th quarter and the game was stopped when running back Larry Caper ran 15 yards for the final touchdown and the 26-6 victory.

Spartan QB Kirk Cousins ​​finished 13 of 24 (54%) for 201 yards and 1 TD pass. Perhaps even more important was the foot of Dan Conroy, who added field goals of 37, 34, 32 and 18 yards.

Unlike many games this season, Michigan State did not produce impressive statistics. This was probably due to the fact that Illinois has a very good team. Illinois trampled Penn State 33-13 in a road game and played tough against Ohio State in a 24-13 loss.

Illinois also entered the game with a schedule strength rating (SOS) of 22 nationally and a rating of 31 by Sagarin. Michigan State’s SOS was ranked 95th and the Spartans were ranked 13th in the AP Top 25 poll.

With 7 wins under their belt, the question begs: Can the now 8th-ranked Spartans, who will then travel to Evanston to take on the Northwestern Wildcats, make it 8th in a row?

Northwest is 5-1. Michigan State averages 34 points per game, Northwestern 27. Both teams rack up yards on offense, the Spartans averaging 447 and the Wildcats 425, only 22 yards apart.

Both teams are stingy on scoring defense. Michigan State gives up 16 points per game, Northwestern just 18. What about total defense? The Spartans give up 325 yards per game, and the Wildcats 356, just 31 more yards.

Bottom line: Northwestern will score a few points, but Michigan State should score a few more.

And the X factor? Ask Florida, Alabama, Ohio State and Texas: They know all about the X factor. Anything can happen in college football on any Saturday at any stadium, even Ryan Field in Evanston.

Copyright © 2010 Ed Bagley