The regular season came to a disappointing end with a home loss to a very good Michigan State team. Several things hurt Northwestern, including:
- Treyvon Green fumbling on the Michigan State five yard line to end a promising drive.
- Pat Fitzgerald electing to play for halftime down 10 to 3 with 1:30 left, allowing Michigan State to return a punt for a touchdown.
- Jordan Mabin getting injured, allowing Kirk Cousins to light up the Northwestern secondary. Poor Daniel Jones received a baptism by fire attempting to cover B.J. Cunningham without safety help. Hopefully there are better days ahead for him.
- The pass protection was horrific, culminating with Northwestern's final drive when Persa was sacked three of four plays and hurried into an incompletion on the fourth.
Being 6-6 is pretty good after the 2-5 start, but it's still a very disappointing season overall. Now, we wait to see which crappy pre-New Year's Day bowl game (if any) selects Northwestern. Joy.