Fresh off a bye week, Michigan football will travel to the Windy City to take on Northwestern in what is truly a must-win game for the Wolverines.
Michigan has zero margin for error when it comes to the College Football Playoff chase. The Wolverines are still in the thick of the Big Ten title hunt.
Michigan would need to win out, and get a loss from USC and Oregon to clinch a berth in the championship game. USC and Oregon play each other, so the Wolverines would need whichever team wins that game to lose another.
Regardless of that, if Michigan wins the next three games, which includes a showdown with No. 1 Ohio State in the Big House, it shoud be all set as a playoff participant.
First things first, though, Michigan needs to win consecutive games on the road. In the Big Ten, that's never easy. Oregon almost lost at Iowa last week. Washington lost to a winless (in the Big Ten) Wisconsin team, while Indiana needed a last-second touchdown to beat a Penn State squad that had not won a Big Ten game yet.
So Michigan needs to be sharp. After a bye week, it should be, and here are five predictions for the Wolverines against Northwestern, plus a score prediction.
Jordan Marshall rushes for over 150
While much of the focus has been on Bryce Underwood, and some of his recent struggles, the offense has seen another weapon emerge in Jordan Marshall.
As painful as it is for Justice Haynes to be out. He was called week-to-week by Sherrone Moore, Marshall has proven to be elite, too.
In six Big Ten games, Marshall has rushed for 620 yards (103.3 per game), six rushing touchdowns, and is averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Additionally, the offensive line has been stellar. The three redshirt freshmen are getting better with every week, plus Northwestern's run defense is a weakness, allowing 146 yards per game plus 4.2 yards per game.
Marshall should be able to take advantage of that to the tune of a fourth-straight 100-yard game, and more than 150 for the second straight game.
The run defense holds firm
Northwestern isn't going to be a pushover. The Wildcats are 5-4 and looking to a clinch a bowl game. Having the game at Wrigley Field will provide a different atmosphere, but if the Wildcats are going to win the game, they need to run the ball.
Caleb Komolafe leads a rushing attack that averages 181 yards per game, as well as 4.8 yards per attempt. Michigan has allowed four of its eight opponents to rush for over 100 yards.
Purdue ran for 138. However, Michigan football was without linebackers Cole Sullivan and Jimmy Rolder. It feels like there's a good chance both return this week.
That, coupled with a bye week to shore up some things, I don't see the Wildcats rushing for 100 yards on Saturday.
Derrick Moore keeps feasting
Look, if Michigan plays Derrick Moore on 80-90 percent of the snaps against Ohio State, all will be forgiven, but at some point, the best players need to play.
It's November. Michigan doesn't need to rotate just to rotate. Moore should get more snaps after the bye week. Even if he doesn't, he's got six sacks over the past three games.
Northwestern does have a very good offensive tackle in Caleb Tiernan, but honestly, the way Moore has played in recent weeks, it hasn't mattered. He might not get two sacks, yet Moore will get at least one, and he'll wreak plenty of havoc beyond that.
Bryce Underwood bounces back
Fans need to keep expectations realistic. Michigan is going to lean on the running game. That's what the Wolverines have done all season, especially on the road.
Michigan ran for 286 yards at Nebraska. The Wolverines also rushed for 276 yards at Spartan Stadium. If they can do that, they should.
It is important to get Underwood comfortable and confident heading into "The Game." Sherrone Moore said that he had a good week during the bye. It also sounds like Michigan football is going to use Underwood more under center, and in the pistol, which could open the poor for some play-action passes down the field.
Chip Lindsey has done a good job this season. The offense was actually close to being really good against Purdue. Underwood's throws were off slightly. But he made a lot of good decisions, outside of throwing across his body on the run, which led to an interception.
Still, Underwood saw the field better. Now, he just needs to connect. Northwestern has three talented pass rushers, so pass protection will be key.
Underwood will throw for a touchdown. He might run for one, too. He will also play a clean game, which is probably the most important thing. The stats won't be gaudy, but Underwood will play well.
Michigan will pick off two passes
The Wolverines have 11 interceptions in eight games this season. They allow 203 passing yards per game and while opposing teams are completing 66 percent of their throws, this matchup should favor the Wolverines.
Preston Stone has throw nine interceptions in eight games this season. He's thrown interceptions on 4.5 percent of his throws. If Michigan is able to stop the run, and get the lead, it's not hard to foresee the Wolverines getting at least one interception, maybe two, especially with guys like Cole Sullivan and Jimmy Rolder back in the lineup.
They should help force Northwestern to be one-dimensional. Once that happens, Michigan's defense should start making plays.
Michigan vs. Northwestern prediction
The Michigan football offense hasn't been as bad as some are saying. Things need to be cleaned up, especially in the red zone and across the 50. Moving the ball hasn't been an issue. The Wolverines just haven't scored enough points relative to yards.
That will change this weekend. Some turnovers will help and some second-half takeaways will help Michigan football pull away for a 27-13 win.