Michigan Football: Predicting every Big Ten game for the Wolverines

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to Karan Higdon #22 of the Michigan Wolverines prior to the start of their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Michigan escapes Northwestern 20-17 (2-0)

I know that Northwestern has not looked good this season, but trust me, I’ve seen a lot of Michigan football teams that should have won at Northwestern and didn’t. Or at least they didn’t win easy.

The Wildcats have actually lost six straight games to Michigan in Evanston dating back to 2003 and the last time Northwestern beat UM was in 2000, when the Wolverines lost a heartbreaker 54-51. Had that game gone another way, Michigan would have gone to the Rose Bowl. Instead, it played in the Citrus Bowl as co-Big Ten champs.

The last two times Michigan has played on the road against Northwestern, the games came down to the wire. In 2013, the Wolverines won in overtime against the Wildcats, 27-19. The game actually went to triple overtime before UM prevailed and in 2014, Michigan stopped a two-point conversion attempt by Northwestern to win 10-9.

This time around, Michigan should expect another challenge. Winning on the road in the Big Ten is always tough and Northwestern will be up for this game. Clayton Thorsen has been shaky at quarterback for the Wildcats and Michigan should be able to keep him in check enough to win 20-17.

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