Northwestern vs. Michigan Prediction
Big Ten rivals collide in Ann Arbor on Saturday afternoon when No. 6 Michigan hosts Northwestern at 12:00 p.m. ET. Will the Wolverines cover as a 23.5-point favorite or is there a better bet on the board today?
Game Snapshot
347 Northwestern Wildcats (+23.5) at 348 Michigan Wolverines (-23.5); o/u 51
12:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, October 23, 2021
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
TV: FOX
Northwestern Wildcats Game Notes
Northwestern redshirt sophomore QB Ryan Hilinski threw for 256 yards on 25-of-39 attempts in a 56-7 loss on Saturday to Nebraska. It wasn’t a horrible effort for Hilinski, and even if he was great, Northwestern would have been throttled as they had no chance to stop the Nebraska offense on a day they ran for well over 400 yards. Still, it wasn’t a banner night for the former five-star recruit, either, and he couldn’t sustain drives on a night the Wildcats needed that to occur. Hilinski (6’3/220) and Northwestern get a bye before facing off against Rutgers on October 16.
Michigan Wolverines Game Notes
Michigan sophomore QB Cade McNamara has zero turnover-worthy plays per PFF. McNamara (6’1/212) is the only QB in the FBS that has zero turnover-worthy plays with a minimum of 100 dropbacks. After having major inconsistencies at the QB position during the first four years of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach, McNamara has brought some stability to the Wolverines offense. With the team being tops in the Big Ten and seventh in the nation in rushing (246.5 yards per game), McNamara hasn’t had to do much other than stay consistent and make a few plays when needed, as is evident with his 986 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Michigan hosts Northwestern on Saturday afternoon.
Northwestern vs. Michigan Betting Prediction
The underdog is 4-1 against the spread in the last five meetings between these two teams while the Wildcats have covered in four of their last five games as an underdog. Northwestern is also 8-3-1 against the number in its last 12 conference games, is 13-5-2 ATS in its last 20 games played in October and has cashed in 36 of its last 52 games as a road underdog.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 8 PREDICTION: NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS +23.5
