Why Should I Care? Pat Fitzgerald squares off against Northwestern

By | October 16, 2026
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats runs off the field after losing to the Wisconsin Badgers at Ryan Field on October 08, 2022 in Evanston, Illinois.
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats runs off the field after losing to the Wisconsin Badgers at Ryan Field on October 08, 2022 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

For nearly two decades, Pat Fitzgerald was the face of Northwestern football. A former Wildcats star turned head coach, Fitzgerald helped define the program before his controversial 2023 firing amid a hazing scandal. Three years later, he’s on the other side of the sideline. In his first season leading Michigan State, Fitzgerald will face Northwestern for the first time Saturday.

But why should college football fans outside of Evanston and East Lansing care? Our latest “Why Should I Care?” video breaks down the backstory, the stakes, and why this isn’t just another Big Ten matchup.

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