Michigan Football: Way too early predictions for 2021 schedule
player. Scouting Report. Oct. 23. Northwestern Wildcats. 882. Pick Analysis. Ann Arbor (Mich.). 7
Michigan will return home after a two game road trip and bye week to play the defending West division champion Northwestern Wildcats. Northwestern had one of the most surprising seasons in the country last season and advanced to the Big Ten championship game and gave Ohio State a run for its money. The Wildcats were able to keep Pat Fitzgerald in Evanston and away from the NFL and I think that Northwestern should be a solid team again.
Northwestern’s strength last year was their defense and that should be the case again. Their offense is still lagging behind a bit, despite improvements from 2019. I think that Northwestern will be a tough out, but I think it will be tough to replicate last season’s success with an offense that will be average at best.
Final Score: Michigan 28, Northwestern 17 (6-1, 3-1)
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Michigan State Spartans. player. 805. Oct. 30. East Lansing (Mich.). 8
Last season, the Spartans walked into Ann Arbor as three-touchdown underdogs and walked away as winners. It was one of the most embarrassing defeats of the Jim Harbaugh era and it will be interesting to see how the Wolverines respond in their rivalry game. The Spartans are still in rebuilding mode in year two under Mel Tucker and are still looking too build back up there talent level.
I always get nervous when picking Michigan to win rivalry games, but I just think that by this time of the year, the newcomers on defense should be settled in and the offense should be clicking. I think Michigan State could surprise, but I think that is a year away at least.
Final Score: Michigan 34, Michigan State 23 (7-1, 4-1)