We were headed for a potential field-goal-fest in Evanston, where Michigan State is aiming to become perhaps the first 10-win team in the Big Ten. (It's probably going to be a margin of less than an hour if cross-state rival Michigan can take care of Ohio State.) But Michigan State turned a rushing touchdown by Le'Veon Bell and a 57-yard punt return by Keshawn Martin in the closing seconds to take a 17-3 lead into halftime.

Kirk Cousins is 5-of-9 for 93 yards so far, but has also thrown an interception in the game. Bell has 70 yards already on 11 carries, and obviously has the seven-yard touchdown to go along.

Dan Persa has actually completed 75 percent of his passes -- the Northwestern quarterback is 9-of-12 so far -- but has just 50 yards to show for it. Jacob Schmidt has 36 yards on ten rushes for the Wildcats, while Treyvon Green has another 32 yards on seven carries.

For more on the Spartans, head over to Michigan State blog The Only Colors. For news and commentary about the Wildcats, check out Northwestern blog Sippin' On Purple.