Michigan Football: 5 predictions for Wolverines against Northwestern

Michigan football takes on Northwestern on Saturday and here are five predictions for the Wolverines against the Wildcats. 

If it feels like forever since you’ve had the chance to watch Michigan football, you probably should get a grip. It hasn’t even been two weeks.

But all joking aside, the Wolverines will be back in the Big House on Saturday and the Northwestern Wildcats await in a Big Ten conference matchup.

For the sixth-ranked Wolverines, it’s another huge game because it’s the next one. Michigan football can’t afford to look ahead to Michigan State next week and with the loaded Big Ten East, there really is no room for error.

Northwestern has struggled this season, there is no doubt about that. But Pat Fitzgerald is one of the best coaches in the country and the Wildcats looked more like themselves in last week’s 21-7 win over Rutgers, a team that gave Michigan football all it could handle.

There are no easy games in the Big Ten and with that in mind, here are five predictions for Michigan football against Northwestern Saturday.

A fast start

You always worry about a team being sluggish after a bye week. But this Michigan team has tremendous leadership and I believe the Wolverines will come out sharp.

Not everything is going to work perfectly. But U-M should have a huge edge in the trenches this week as the Wildcats have the worst run defense in the Big Ten.

Consequently, Michigan has the best rushing offense in the Big Ten. And while Northwestern is certainly going to load up to stop the run, I don’t think they will and Michigan will make a statement early by scoring on its first drive.