Michigan Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Northwestern in Week 5

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 22: Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines leaves the field after a 56-10 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 22, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 22: Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines leaves the field after a 56-10 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 22, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan football has been red-hot after losing to Notre Dame in the opener but can the Wolverines remain on fire against Northwestern in Evanston?

Jim Harbaugh’s fourth season with Michigan has gotten off to an interesting start, losing to Notre Dame in the season-opener, but following that up with three straight victories over Western Michigan, SMU and Nebraska in dominating fashion.

Shea Patterson’s first season with the Wolverines has also been intriguing, but we have yet to truly see him take off under center. It seems as if the coaching staff is bottling him up, waiting to let him loose on the likes of Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State.

Michigan has a shot to make some noise in the Big Ten title race on Saturday evening with a comfortable win over Northwestern on the road.

Michigan must get off to a good start to Big Ten action, but the Wolverines face a tough road battle.

3. Wildcats finish with less than 50 rushing yards

Unfortunately, this may not be so bold anymore as Jeremy Larkin announced his retirement from football just this past week after being diagnosed with a spinal injury. He was the future at running back for the Wildcats and was off to a strong start this season.

There’s no true replacement for Larkin, and that’ll doom the Wildcats. There’s a chance Clayton Thorson could be the team’s leading rusher on Saturday, and that’s nothing but bad news for this offense.

Michigan’s defense is known for shutting teams down, and that’ll be the case on the ground as the Wolverines will clog all holes and stymy the Wildcats’ rushing attack.

Northwestern will finish with just 43 rushing yards on 30 carries.