Not all games are weighed the same in college football. Michigan State football hasn't been winning those Tier 1 (or even Tier 2 or 3) games lately. The hope is that new head coach Pat Fitzgerald can get MSU into the win column more often. Victories in these three games would be the most meaningful. 3. First Matchup vs. Northwestern Sep 24, 2022; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald before a game against the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks at Ryan Field. | David Banks-Imagn Images Oct. 17 at Spartan Stadium is going to be as juicy a matchup as any. Fitzgerald is going to get his first shot at his alma mater, the place he was the head coach at for 17 seasons, and also the place that, at one point, fired him in disgrace after a hazing scandal (Fitzgerald settled with NU for wrongful termination in August 2025, with the school saying evidence didn't indicate Fitzgerald knew or condoned the hazing).…