Bryce Underwood dashed out of the dugout, throwing darts. He completed his first eight passes, but dissolved back to earth with two interceptions beyond halftime. Jordan Marshall left the diamond when he was tackled on his shoulder. Sherrone Moore said it was not as serious as it had shaped up to be. Andrew Marsh had the most receptions in a game since Ronnie Bell. Although it was Dominic Zvada who sent Northwestern to the showers with an indelible victory in Chicago. Here are three of the takeaways from the exhilarating win.
1. Michigan avoided irreparable damage to their slim postseason hopes
A penalty that erased a touchdown by Andrew Sprague for holding, two missed field goals by Zvada, and five turnovers that almost cost Michigan its eighth win of the season. Up 21-9 and all of a sudden, Michigan was doing everything under the sun to lose. If you look at the stat sheet, this shouldn't have been that close. Michigan doubled Northwestern's offense in yardage, gained 14 more first downs, and converted nine more third downs than the Cats. You have to go back to 2013 when Michigan won at Connecticut and surrendered that many turnovers.
2. Michigan's flawed play will hurt them in the playoff committee's eyes
I just can't see the Wolverines moving up in the rankings following that blunder. Earlier in the week College Football Live gave the conquering heroes a 62% chance to enter the 12-team tournament, even with a win over Ohio State. That won't improve after Saturday's debacle and Michigan is running out of opportunities. Being the fourth Big Ten school in the playoff is evaporating with each unattractive win.
Michigan just won a game it did not deserve to win That’s what it takes sometimes.
— David Cone (@davidadamcone) November 15, 2025
- Lost T.O. battle 5-0, still won. Can’t rem ever seeing that.
- Zvada went from asset to liability to hitting game-winner
- Kuzdzul ran hard in relief of JM
- Marsh will be a superstar
I need…
3. Knowing Michigan's medical history, Jordan Marshall may sit out next Saturday at Maryland
Jaishawn Barham and Jimmy Rolder were back in the lineup on defense, while Deakon Tonielli saved his quarterback from a colossal mistake with his only grab of the day in his return. If I were a betting man, I would put money on Marshall not playing next week and saving him for Ohio State. He landed with so much force on that shoulder, and the weight of the defender on top of him. Michigan has to make it a priority to get out of Maryland in one piece.