The Michigan Wolverines will look to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive on Saturday as they visit Chicago to take on the Northwestern Wildcats at Wrigley Field.
My Michigan vs. Northwestern predictions breakdown explains why Northwestern is a quality team playing close to home, with a defense that should keep them competitive.
Read on for a full analysis of this Big Ten matchup in my free college football picks for November 15.
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Michigan vs Northwestern prediction
Michigan vs Northwestern best bet: Northwestern +11.5 (-108)
Michigan has won six of its last seven games, riding a punishing rushing attack that averages 5.8 yards per carry and a defense that holds opponents to 17.2 ppg. Even with RB1 Justice Haynes likely out for a couple more weeks, the Wolverines also have sophomore Jordan Marshall playing at an extremely high level, having rushed for 100 yards in each of the last three games.
That’s a formula that will win a lot of games, but not necessarily one that leads to blowouts. In fact, Michigan has only covered in one of its last five games overall, and it has failed to cover four times this season as a double-digit favorite.
Northwestern won’t make it easy to change that trend. While the Wildcats have lost two straight on the road, they’ve been much better at home — or, in this game, close to home — where they’ve gone 4-1 both straight-up and against the spread. The Wildcats themselves allow only 19.1 ppg to opponents, and against a team that doesn’t like to run up the score, they’ll likely hold Michigan down to a low total as well.
The Wolverines should grind out a win here, but Northwestern deserves more respect than a double-digit spread, especially since this should be a low-scoring game.
Michigan vs Northwestern same-game parlay
One reason why I’m happy to take the points with Northwestern is the defensive nature of these two teams, which should result in a tightly played game while also helping us hit the Under.
The Wildcats will need someone to score to stay in the game, however, and I like that to be sophomore running back Caleb Komolafe, who has eight touchdowns on the year and has scored in six of his last seven contests.
Michigan vs Northwestern SGP
- Northwestern +11.5
- Under 41.5
- Caleb Komolafe anytime touchdown
Our deep-ball SGP: Air Jordan
Jordan Marshall has rushed for at least 110 yards and a touchdown in each of his last three games, totaling five touchdowns over that span.
Michigan vs Northwestern SGP
- Northwestern +11.5
- Under 41.5
- Caleb Komolafe anytime touchdown
- Jordan Marshall anytime touchdown
Michigan vs Northwestern odds
- Spread: Michigan -10 (-110) | Northwestern +10 (-110)
- Moneyline: Michigan -400 | Northwestern +300
- Over/Under: Over 41.5 (-110) | Under 41.5 (-110)
Michigan vs Northwestern trend to know
Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last five games overall. Find more college football betting trends for Michigan vs Northwestern.
How to watch Michigan vs Northwestern
| Location | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Saturday, November 15, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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