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Northwestern vs Michigan preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info and more

By Duncan Smith

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Northwestern vs Michigan preview, predictions, betting odds and live stream info

The Northwestern Wildcats will visit Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to take on Big Ten rival Michigan. Both teams have been pleasant surprises so far this season, with Northwestern ranked No. 13 in the country and sporting an undefeated 5-0 record, and Michigan ranked No. 18 in the country with a 4-1 record. Both teams have absolutely devastating defenses, with both squads being in the nation’s top five total defenses.

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The Wildcat defense is led by sophomore linebacker Anthony Hall, who leads the team with 44 tackles and two fumbles forced and recovered. Northwestern’s defense comes in ranked fifth overall in yards given up and first overall in points given up, giving up just 247.4 yards and seven points per game.

Michigan’s defense features the dynamic senior linebacker duo of Joe Bolden and Desmond Morgan. Bolden leads the team with 32 tackles, and Morgan follows close behind with 30 tackles and an interception. The Wolverines are giving up the second fewest yards per game in the nation, with 184 yards per game, and are the second stingiest scoring defense (behind Northwestern) giving up just 7.6 points per game.

Details for Saturday’s game are below:

Date: October 10th

Start Time: 3:30 PM EST

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Stadium: Michigan Stadium

TV Info: BTN

Live Stream: BTN2GO

Radio: Northwestern, Michigan

Keys to Victory

Northwestern and Michigan have very similar offensive numbers, much like their defensive totals. Northwestern has the 79th ranked offense in the nation, racking up 391 yards per game and scoring 25.4 points per game, good for 89th nationally. On the other side, Michigan has the 77th ranked offense, gaining 392.6 yards per game, and their 27.8 points per game is good for just 74th in the country in scoring.

Both teams also protect their quarterback very well. Northwestern’s Clayton Thorson has only been sacked four times in their five games, while Michigan has only allowed quarterback Jake Rudock to be sacked five times thus far.

These similarities continue to their head coaches. Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald may be an early Big Ten Coach of the Year candidate, while Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh has been heralded for his quick turnaround of the Wolverines’ fortunes so far this year.

We have to dig deep to find an edge for either team, and the only defining advantage either way might just be Michigan’s home field. Northwestern has only been on the road once this year, in a 19-10 victory at Duke, and having to deal with the Michigan environment might be more than the Wildcats are ready for.

If they can take the crowd out of the game and put points on the board early, that is the surest way of giving themselves a chance. The Wolverine offense hasn’t had to come from behind since their season opening loss at Utah, and forcing the offense to produce could put Michigan in an uncomfortable situation.

Provided Michigan’s defense can hold back the Northwestern offense, however, and this game remains low scoring throughout, the Wolverines can play their game and grind it out on the ground with running backs De’Veon Smith and Drake Johnson.

If Northwestern can’t score some points in a flurry and make Michigan uncomfortable, this should be the home team’s game for the taking.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Michigan -7.5

Moneyline: Northwestern +260, Michigan -320

O/U: 36.0

Prediction

In what should be a tough, low-scoring battle, Michigan and their home field advantage get the edge until proven otherwise.
Final Score: Michigan 21, Northwestern 10

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