Something’s gotta give. No. 13 Northwestern and No. 18 Michigan will put their respective winning streaks on the line when they square off this coming Saturday in a mouth-watering Big Ten clash. Both teams are playing some excellent football of late, particularly on the defensive end, so expect a bruising encounter between these two conference rivals.
Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this college football matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Oklahoma vs. Texas and Arkansas vs. Alabama.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan Wolverines Preview
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
When: Saturday, October 10, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Wolverines – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: BTN
Betting on the Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern stretched its unbeaten run to five games with a resounding 27-0 victory over Minnesota on Saturday. It was another convincing performance for the Wildcats who left little doubt that they are a primary contender in the Big Ten West Division this year.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Leading the way for the Wildcats in their Big Ten opener were quarterback Clayton Thorson and running back Justin Jackson. Thorson was efficient on Saturday, completing 14 of his 19 passes for 128 yards without an interception. He made his presence felt, though, on the ground, rushing for 24 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns. Jackson also wreaked havoc against the Minnesota defensive line, running for 120 yards on 20 carries. Northwestern totally dominated Minnesota in the ground game, outgaining them 184-74.
What proved to be the difference in the contest, though, was the Wildcats’ exemplary defense. They limited the Golden Gophers to only 173 yards as they shut down Minnesota on all four of its fourth down conversion attempts. Such was the Wildcats’ defensive pressure in this game that the Golden Gophers punted the ball seven times.
That has been the case for all of Northwestern’s opponents thus far this season as they have found it difficult to unlock the Wildcats’ defense. The Wildcats have allowed only three touchdowns in their opening five games. They are first in the FBS in scoring defense, allowing just 7.0 points per game this season. Their upcoming showdown against Michigan is bound to be a low-scoring affair with the Wolverines also stamping their class this season on the defensive end. Michigan is second in the FBS in scoring defense, allowing 7.6 points per contest this campaign.
The Wildcats are 5-5 SU and ATS in their last 10 road games.
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Betting on the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan extended its winning streak to four games with a convincing 28-0 rout of Maryland on Saturday. It was a huge result for the Wolverines who won their first Big Ten opener under Jim Harbaugh. With the victory, the Wolverines improved their season-record to 4-1.
To no one’s surprise, it was Michigan’s defense that took center stage in this contest. The Wolverines picked off three passes and limited Maryland to just 105 yards. It was the second consecutive shutout victory for the Wolverines, who have allowed a total of 14 points in their last four outings. That’s the first time since 2000 that Michigan has accomplished such a feat. The Wolverines have outscored their opponents 139-38 through their first five games. The 38 points allowed are the fewest through five games for Michigan since the 1997 season.
Desmond Morgan was a beast for the Michigan defense, recording nine tackles and an interception against Maryland. He was a major reason why the Terrapins finished the contest with just 29 rushing yards, a far cry from their average of 196 yards on the ground during their previous four games. Morgan will have his work cut out for him, however, against a Northwestern rushing offense that’s averaging 248.8 yards per game this season, 14th in the entire FBS.
That being said, the Wolverines will fancy their chances against the Wildcats as they have fared extremely well against them of late. They are 9-1 SU against Northwestern in their last 10 games. The Wolverines edged past the Wildcats, 10-9, in their only meeting last year.
The Wolverines are 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Michigan wins, 17-10.
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