Michigan Football: 5 predictions for Wolverines against Northwestern

Ho-hum day for McNamara

Northwestern has a solid secondary and has eight interceptions to its credit, despite allowing just over 200 yards per game. The Wildcats pass defense though looks better, statistically, because teams are able to run so well they just haven’t had to throw.

Michigan is a run-heavy team and I expect to see that continue. There will be more runs than passes, although the Wolverines will take their shots down the field and they need to continue to do that.

In terms of Saturday against Northwestern, I really anticipate a solid but not spectacular outing from McNamara. The running game should be productive and while I can see him throwing a touchdown pass, this probably doesn’t need to be a huge statistical game for him.

I think we’ll see J.J. McCarthy sprinkled in more and wouldn’t shock me if he threw earlier in the game out of those read-option looks to give defenses something to think about and plus, it’s got to be wide open.

But Cade will be Mr. Steady and against the Wildcats, that’s all that Michigan football is going to need to pull out a seventh consecutive win.