WHAT A START!:Michigan State scores a touchdown on the very first play of the season
Michigan State Spartans vs. Northwestern Wildcats
When: 9 p.m. Friday.
Where: Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois,
TV/radio: ESPN, WJR-AM (760).
Line: Northwestern by 3½.
Game notes: A rare season opener with a Big Ten game. MSU went 2-4 last year in coach Mel Tucker's first season, including an upset of No. 13 Northwestern at Spartan Stadium in late November, 29-20. The Wildcats finished 7-2, with a 35-19 Citrus Bowl win over Auburn.