Fallout
Michigan State had started the season off 3-0, including an impressive win over Pittsburgh. In their next game against Notre Dame, they lost despite leading by 16 points entering the 4th quarter. Their next 3 games were losses to Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio State. The comeback was thought to save John L. Smith's career at Michigan State, but on November 1, 2006 the university announced that Smith would not be brought back following the season as the Spartans finished with four more losses after this game.
Northwestern, by contrast, had already fallen out of bowl contention. The Wildcats would play a competitive game against Michigan the following week, and would defeat the bowl bound Iowa Hawkeyes two weeks later (who later came close to upsetting Texas in the Alamo Bowl).
Read more about this topic: 2006 Michigan State Vs. Northwestern Football Game