5 predictions for Michigan Football against Northern Illinois
The Michigan football team will look to start 3-0 on Saturday against Northern Illinois and here are five bold predictions, as well as our predicted final score.
Following an impressive win over Washington last week, no matter how much some fans complain about the lack of passing or whatever else, the Wolverines were stellar against Washington and now turn their attention to Northern Illinois.
Michigan football is back in the Top 25 in both polls following its win and with the Huskies, as well as Rutgers on the schedule for next week, U-M has a very good shot at a 4-0 start.
Northern Illinois (1-1) is the first challenge and the Huskies have split opening games with Georgia Tech, winning 22-21 and also falling last week to Wyoming.
The win over Georgia Tech shows NIU is still capable, following an 0-6 campaign in 2020, but the Yellow Jackets are fresh off consecutive 3-win seasons (they played nearly a full season in 2020) and still Tech should have won the game if not for three missed field goals.
NIU does have a familiar face at quarterback in former Michigan State starter Rocky Lombardi, who started last season’s nightmare for Michigan when he led Sparty to an upset in the Big House. Will that happen again? Will the defense enact some revenge?
Here are five predictions for Michigan football against Northern Illinois:
Michigan attempts at least 20 passes
Last week, Michigan football threw just 15 passes against Washington and managed just 44 yards through the air.
Of course, it didn’t matter much because the Wolverines ran for well over 300, including having both Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins go over 150 yards.
Northern Illinois struggles to defend the run, which will allow McNamara and possibly even J.J. McCarthy to take some shots down the field. With Big Ten play starting next week and Ronnie Bell out, some others need to develop some confidence.
The quarterbacks will be given more of a chance this week and it will produce over 200 yards in the air and at least a couple of passing touchdowns.