For the first time since 2005, Northwestern played a football game in which they were ranked in either the Coaches Poll or AP Poll. Northwestern went into Saturday’s game ranked #22 in the Coaches Poll. However, Northwestern failed to confirm that ranking as they went down early to Michigan St. 17-0 and traded scores with the Spartans in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter. Michigan St. won the game 37-20.

The parking lots were packed before the game with tailgates. The first conference game in Evanston, a Northwestern 5-0 record and a perfect 70 degree day made the fans come out. The attendance was over 30,000 for the first time since Iowa fans came out to Evanston last year.

The Spartans won 6 straight games for the first time since 1999, which is also the last time I saw Michigan St. play.

Obtaining Tickets
Having received tickets from my friends the last few times at the tailgate, I waited to buy tickets from a scalper until I asked them if they had extra tickets. On the walk to Evanston, it appeared that most scalpers did not have any tickets. I asked my friend (who seems to be the keeper of all of our friends extra Northwestern tickets) if he had 3 extras – I was with my parents. He did so we avoided having to buy from a scalper…or worse the box office.