Hype for the Michigan State-Northwestern game has been building for two weeks. The game is televised on ESPN, MSU coach Mark Dantonio is on the sidelines for the first time since he suffered a heart attack after the Spartans' victory over Notre Dame, undefeated MSU is No. 8 in the country according to the AP poll and it is NU's homecoming. A little rain to start the morning didn't deter both MSU and NU fans from coming out to Ryan Field and up in the press box it was just as electric -- at 10:45, legendary coach Ara Parseghian came up for a visit. Parseghian was not at a loss of praise for NU coach Pat Fitzgerald.

"He likes being around people, well organized and his ability to have attention to all the details you need as a head coach," Parseghian said. "He's a great motivator and his team wants to play for him. I think Pat is the perfect guy for Northwestern."