Michigan vs. Northwestern, Preview, Odds, Picks and Prediction for Saturday, November 15, 2025

On Saturday, the Michigan Wolverines will face the Northwestern Wildcats in a Week 12 NCAAF game at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Big Ten Conference matchup is scheduled for noon ET.

The Wolverines are 11.5-point spread favorites, and the total is 41 points scored.

This Michigan vs. Northwestern prediction highlights a Wolverines team that has won three straight games and a Wildcats squad that has won four of its previous six. U-M is 5-1 in Big Ten play, while NU has a 3-3 conference record this season. Saturday's game marks the 78th meeting between Michigan and Northwestern on the gridiron. It will be the first time they've ever faced off at Wrigley, home of MLB's Chicago Cubs. U-M leads 60-15-2 and has won eight straight, defeating NU 50-6 last year in Ann Arbor.

Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NCAAF Predictions.

Wolverines can still accomplish their goals

Michigan (7-2 SU, 3-6 ATS, and 4-5 O/U) has reeled off three wins since its setback at USC, taking down Washington, Michigan State, and Purdue. The Wolverines had a bye last week.

The Boilermakers battled to the end at the Big House, forcing two turnovers and winning the time of possession battle. They struggled offensively, however, as the Wolverines held them under 300 total yards. Purdue also came up short in key moments, including a failed fourth-and-two conversion from their own 49 in the fourth quarter. Michigan gained 398 total yards, rushing for over 250 with a 6.5 yards-per-carry average. While sloppy at times and not dominant, U-M got the win it needed to remain in the front pack of the Big Ten title race.

“We’re in a position to do everything we wanted to accomplish,” coach Sherrone Moore said after the game.

Freshman QB Bryce Underwood leads the Wolverines' offense into action with 1,671 passing yards (60.9% CMP%), seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. He has also rushed for 272 yards and four scores. Underwood's top receiving targets are senior WR Donaven McCulley (26 receptions for 383 yards and two TDs) and freshman WR Andrew Marsh (25 receptions for 376 yards and two TDs). The Michigan run game is paced by junior RB Justice Haynes (121 carries for 857 yards and ten TDs) and sophomore Jordan Marshall (124 carries for 729 yards and eight TDs). Haynes hasn't suited up since the MSU game and is "week-to-week" per Moore, but Marshall has excelled in his absence against Purdue (25 carries for 184 yards and three TDs).

The Wolverines score 28.1 points per game (68th) and average 409.4 total yards (52nd), including 185.7 passing yards (108th) and 223.8 rushing yards (13th). The U-M defense surrenders 17.2 points (13th) and 304.0 total yards (17th) per game, including 203.8 passing yards (46th) and 100.2 rushing yards (12th).

Michigan Wolverines Football Injury Report: Haynes appears unlikely to play on Saturday. LBs Jimmy Rolder, Jaishawn Barham, and Cole Sullivan are questionable, as well as CB Rod Moore and TE Hogan Hansen. OG Evan Link has been sidelined since the Washington game, but is making progress towards a return to the field.

Northwestern is one win from bowl eligibility

Northwestern (5-4 SU, 5-3-1 ATS, and 3-6 O/U) has dropped consecutive games to Nebraska and USC. While both matchups were on the road, the Wildcats lost momentum from their four-game winning streak.

Northwestern played the Trojans competitively in the first half, but couldn't keep up in the second half. USC QB Jayden Maiava was too much for the visitors' secondary, passing for 309 yards and 9.1 yards per attempt. The Wildcats averaged over five yards per carry, but only mustered 150 passing yards.

"Nebraska had done a great job against USC, but you knew USC was going to find a way to respond, " Northwestern coach David Braun said. "They’re talented. Talented wide receivers. Quarterback plays at a very high level. Coach Riley is a great coach. And ultimately, we ended up playing on our heels most of the night.”

Senior QB Preston Stone leads the Wildcats' passing game with 1,522 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He has completed 59.3 percent of his passes, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. The SMU transfer's top receiving target is junior WR Griffin Wilde (43 receptions for 593 yards and five TDs), while sophomore RB Caleb Komolafe (141 carries for 726 yards and eight TDs) paces Northwestern's run game.

The Wildcats score 21.9 points per game (111th) and average 351.3 total yards (99th), including 169.9 passing yards (120th) and 181.4 rushing yards (42nd). The Northwestern defense allows 19.1 points (22nd) and 323.9 total yards (32nd) per game, including 181.1 passing yards (21st) and 142.8 rushing yards (63rd).

Northwestern Wildcats Football Injury Report: DL Richie Hagarty and RBs Dashun Reeder and Joseph Himon II are questionable to play vs Michigan.

Michigan vs. Northwestern Pick and Preview

Spread Pick for Michigan vs. Northwestern

• Northwestern +11.5 (5 Units)

Michigan will rely on its run game to beat Northwestern, even with Haynes likely sidelined. The Wildcats will be competitive in this matchup, though, as they have been in most of their home games this season (4-1 SU and ATS). This game is at Wrigley, but it's still the Wildcats' home turf. U-M, meanwhile, is 1-4 ATS in its last five games and has struggled to cover as double-digit spread favorites (0-4 ATS). While the Wolverines have won eight straight in this series, four of the last seven games have been decided by just one score.

Both teams allow fewer than 20 points per game. This game will be a classic defensive Big Ten matchup, even if it's technically being played in a baseball stadium. Bet on the "home team" to cover at +11.5.

Over/Under Pick for Michigan vs. Northwestern

• Under 41 (5 Units)

U-M hasn't run up the score this season, as it's partial to the run game and has a true freshman at QB. That strategy hasn't prevented the Wolverines from winning games, which is their only goal in this spot, with their biggest game of the season in two weeks. Michigan will lean on Marshall to move the chains on Saturday, but he may find it challenging to break off big runs against a Northwestern run defense that ranks 37th nationally in opponent running plays of 20-plus yards and 25th in rushes of 30-plus yards.

On the other end of the field, I expect the Wildcats' offensive game plan to be similar to the one the Boilermakers used against Michigan. They'll battle for four quarters to keep the Wolverines within striking distance, calling conservative plays that keep the football in their possession for as long as possible. Northwestern has the 13th-highest average time of possession this season, while Michigan ranks 80th.