Breaking up is hard to do, but it is an experience almost everyone goes through at least once. In some cases, a very awkward situation can arise when someone happens to run into an ex in the cereal aisle at the grocery store or in line for a latte at a coffee shop. On Saturday at Spartan Stadium, about 70,000 Michigan State fans may experience their own version of this awkwardness. One of their exes recently moved to suburban Chicago, but Spartan fans are about to encounter somebody that they used to know. That somebody is Northwestern starting quarterback Aidan Chiles. Chiles’ relationship with the Spartans lasted almost two years. Now and then, when I think of when he first announced his transfer to Michigan State, I remember how happy Spartan fans were. They told themselves that he was the right quarterback for East Lansing. Chiles received plenty of love from Spartans fans at first, but the relationship slowly soured. He struggled with inconsistency, turnovers, and injuries. After ...
There are plenty of analogies for the 2026 Michigan State football team. Most recently, I compared the struggling Spartans to an ailing patient who appeared to be recovering from a temporary illness. I expected them to play well Saturday and beat the visiting Fighting Illini. Halfway through the second quarter, I was prepared to declare the patient deceased. The Spartans trailed Illinois 17-0. Their offense had run exactly six plays and possessed the ball for less than four minutes. Illinois had outgained Michigan State 216-8. Spartan Stadium felt like a funeral home. At best, the Spartans were still ill. Then, beginning with Michigan State's third drive, the momentum turned. From that point through the end of regulation, the Spartans outgained Illinois 279-190 and outscored the Fighting Illini 31-14. More important was the fight the Spartans showed. They scratched, clawed, and chipped away at the Illinois lead. When the Illini answered in the fourth quarter with a seven-pl...