Michigan vs Northwestern Prediction: Big Battle for Both in Wrigley

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Michigan vs Northwestern Prediction: Big Battle for Both in Wrigley

Oh yippee.

It’s a big game in the Big Ten, and they’re playing it on a baseball field.

Never mind that there’s a perfectly lovely setting on the Northwestern campus to hold this; the gimmick of doing this in Wrigley Field will take center stage.

Northwestern is 0-for-2 trying to get bowl eligible, losing to Nebraska and USC. There are two more chances ahead against Minnesota and Illinois, but beating the Wolverines would make this extra special.

Meanwhile, Michigan keeps hanging around. It goes to Maryland after this, and then Ohio State comes to town with a shot to break hearts, and all but lock in a CFP spot – if it can take care of the Cats first.

Michigan vs Northwestern Preview

Oct 25, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; University of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore walks into Spartan Stadium before a game against the Michigan State Spartans. © Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

How To Watch Michigan vs Northwestern

Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: FOX
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

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Why Michigan Will Win

It might be boring, but boring works.

Don’t turn the ball over, run the ball, make the plays that are there, and play good enough defense to get by. Even with a great young quarterback in Bryce Underwood – he’ll be unbelievable once he figures it all out – there’s nothing all that dynamic about this attack, and it’s fine. It works.

It all starts with the ground game. Michigan is 0-2 when it doesn’t run for at least 150 yards, 7-0 when it does, and Northwestern has yet to allow anyone who’ll go bowling to under 155 – all losses – and …

Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Preston Stone (8) reacts after running back Caleb Komolafe (5) run against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Why Northwestern Will Win

But the run defense really is good.

Fine, so it’s 5-0 against all the mediocre teams on the slate, and that’s not Michigan, but the defensive front knows how to keep teams from scoring.

This isn’t a team that will beat itself. It hasn’t been flagged more than three times just once since mid-September, but it has to limit the turnovers after giving it up twice in each of the last two games.

The turnover margin, though, almost always goes Northwestern’s way. All of that, and …

Michigan vs Northwestern Prediction, Betting Lines

The size of the field is still the same, but the silliness of playing in a baseball stadium will make this just a little extra weird.

The weather should be stunningly wonderful for all the Michigan fans wearing both Cubs and Wolverine gear at the same time.

Northwestern will keep this from getting out of hand, but once again with Michigan going against the mediocre, show up, play football, score a few more points than the other side, leave.

Michigan 27, Northwestern 16
Line: Michigan -11.5, o/u: 41.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5
Must See Rating: 3

Consensus Line from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

– CFP Rankings Reaction to Every Top 25 Spot

Related: Ohio State vs UCLA Prediction: The Best Team in the Land Gets To Show Off

This story was originally reported by College Football News on Nov 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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