Crossword puzzle clue "nc state is in it"

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin

Article of tropical apparel ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares

Unlikely state of a state?

Secretariat's mother, for one ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares

State made up of two state postal abbreviations

Emergency worker ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares

Biblical idol ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares

State with the first state-funded public school system