Michigan Football: Northwestern at Michigan — GBMWolverine Staff Predictions
Posted at 5:45am — 11/10/2012
Michigan Football: Northwestern at Michigan — GBMWolverine Staff Predictions
Michigan leads the all-time series vs. Northwestern 53-15-2.
Wisterts set to earn “Michigan Football Legend” Distinction. The No. 11 jersey worn by former U-M All-American tackles Francis, Albert and Alvin Wistert will be honored with “Michigan Football Legend” distinction in conjunction with the game. The three brothers all wore the number 11 jersey and all three were voted first team-All-America, an accomplishment that has never been duplicated by three brothers on any level of intercollegiate competition. The Wisterts all have been enshrined in the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and inducted into the Michigan Hall of Honor.
The GBMWolverine staff have made their predictions, how about you? Come to the message board and make your prediction and also comment on the thread.
CoachBT:
Whichever team wins the turnover battle wins the game.
Northwestern 21
Michigan 27
Nov 3, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (12) drops back to throw a pass against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIREDoc4Blu:
Northwestern is in a very good spot, perhaps the best of the last few years. The Wildcats could win out and go 10-2. The offense again has been productive and is multi-dimensional. The Wildcat defense is not a pushover and has been consistently good against the rush. This unit has also done consistently bad against a good passing attack.
Michigan has played hide the quarterback this week and viewers are open to make their own assumptions and predictions. How well the defense holds Northwestern down will be countered by how well the offense can get anything close to a good running game going. Both special teams groups are good, but Michigan really needs to improve on both kick teams.
This game would not be a major upset. But Michigan needs to take care of business, period.
Northwestern 20
Michigan 27
Nov 3, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Drew Dileo (9) catches a 45 yard touchdown in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIREErocWolverine
This game comes down to can the Michigan defense stop Kain Colter or limit him. Yes, they have other good players, but Colter makes their offense a threat if he gets things moving.
Can the Michigan offense continue the success from last week at Minnesota without Denard Robinson? We will likely find out because not sure Denard is ready to go yet or be 100% ready to go.
Think this will be a very good game, but Michigan wins in the 4th quarter.
Northwestern 17
Michigan 27
MaizeMan:
No prediction sent in this week.
Nov 3, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Michigan Wolverines running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (28) runs for a 41 yard touchdown in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Michigan won 35-13. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIREMike Fitzpatrick (TheMichiganManPodcast)
Denard or Devin? That is the question Michigan fans have been asking this week. Even yesterday Brady Hoke said he wasn’t sure which one would get the start. We shall see at 12 noon today.
Whichever QB gets the nod, they will be facing a better than expected Northwestern defense. The Wildcats have been strong against the run this season, but give plenty of cushion in the secondary. Expect The Wolverine to test them early, but still focus on running the ball down there throats. This is not a shutdown defense, but they are very aggressive and much improved from last year.
This Northwestern offense is as good as it has been in sometime. With Kain Colter and Venric Mark in the backfield this team is a run first offense. No defense has shut them down this year. They are fast, and they are good. This is the key match-up today. Strength against strength. Michigan’s D against this efficient and explosive Northwestern offense
Northwestern is a very smart football team, you would expect them to be wouldn’t you? They don’t turn the ball over very often & are the least penalized team in the Big 10. They don’t beat themselves. The Cats are 7-2, the two losses coming after blowing comfortable leads late in games to Penn State & Nebraska. This ain’t your Daddy’s Northwestern! Pat Fitzgerald has built a nice program loaded with 3 star, and a few four star guys. They will make Michigan, or anyone they play for that matter, EARN victory.
To me the outcome of this game will be determined by the Michigan defense. Can we take the edge away from Colter & Mark? Can we take the run away from the Cats and force them to throw more than they want to? Unless Northwestern is much better than we think, the Michigan D will cause them problems. As has been the case all year, this one is tough to predict. My best guess is that this will be a tight, tough game. Turnovers could make the difference. Bottom line – I think the D will lead the way to victory in this one. All the offense needs to do is get the running game going and and have some type of consistent passing strategy. Go Blue!
Northwestern 24
Michigan 28
SKWDCOP:
Northwestern 21
Michigan 35
WerlsWolverine
No prediction sent in this week.
Nov 3, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Michigan Wolverines defensive end Craig Roh (88) looks on after a play in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Michigan won 35-13. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIREYostMeister
Pat Fitzgerald hasn’t figured out how to get four quarters out of his team, yet, and most likely it will be the difference in this game.
The Cats come in with a formidable offense that is significantly better at home- and stopping Colter will be a key. Don’t discount their defense, especially if Denard can’t go. They bottled up Martinez pretty well until a fourth quarter meltdown. In the end, this is a game Michigan must get in order to keep the pressure on Nebraska.
They have confidence on offense behind Gardner, but must tighten up their pass blocking- and overall blocking for that matter. In many ways that is why our running game has been dismal.
This may remind people of the Air Force game.
Northwestern 23
Michigan 27
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!