Northwestern vs Michigan 11/23/24 Game Information

Northwestern vs Michigan Preview

This Big Ten Conference game sees the defending national champions Michigan (5-5, 3-4 in Big Ten) hosting Northwestern (4-6, 2-5 in Big Ten) in the biggest stadium in the US and the third largest in the world, Michigan Stadium. Both teams are having losing seasons, and lost their last games to teams ranked in the CFP Top 5. The Wildcats lost to No. 2 Ohio State 3-1 in Evanston while the Wolverines fell to No. 5 Indiana in Bloomington, 20-15 in a game where Michigan played very well and threatened IU’s dream unbeaten season. The Hoosiers will travel to Columbus this weekend to face the Buckeyes in the biggest Big Ten showdown of the year on Saturday morning (FOX, 12 ET/9 PT). Lifetime, Michigan is 59-15-2 vs Northwestern, going 34-4 in the last 38.

Northwestern New Cat Food in the Big House

Northwestern (4-6-0 ATS, 5-5-0 O/U) has lost 3 of its last 4—by 20 points or more—but to talented conference teams in Ohio State (31-7), Iowa (40-14), and Wisconsin (23-2). The Purple Cats didn’t have new conference members Oregon, UCLA or USC, or old rivals Penn State (#4), Michigan State, or Minnesota on their 2024 schedule. Here Jack Lausch (1,321 passing yards, 6 TD, 4 Interceptions) and Northwestern will be up against it once again facing a Michigan side playing its last Home game of the season and looking to get to 6 wins and qualify for a December Bowl game. And with mega-rivals Ohio State the last game left on the Regular Season schedule, it is pretty much win here or forget about going bowling for the Wolverines. RB Cam Porter (424 rushing yards, 6 TD) and the anemic Cats offense (18.0 ppg, #126) will be in the wrong place at the wrong time Saturday.

Northwestern Betting Trends:

• Northwestern has only 20 TD in 10 games, Michigan has 24 
• The Wildcats are 2-0 ATS in their last 2 games (PUR, OSU)
• Northwestern is 3-3 ATS in Big Ten Conference play
• The Over is 3-1 in the Wildcats 4 Road games this season
• Northwestern’s last win at Michigan came in 2008 

Michigan Can Become Bowl Eligible With a Victory

Michigan (3-7-0 ATS, 6-4-0 O/U) have been a good team to bet against this season and the Wolverines have lost 4 of their last 5 SU and are a far cry from the dominating squad that ruled the FBS roost in 2023. Losing QB JJ McCarthty (Vikings) and RB Blake Corem (Rams) hurt this team, but the early season QB issues which saw Jack Tuttle retiring from football after suffering his 5th concussion was a major speed bump. Now, Davis Warren (869 passing yards, 5 TD, 6 Interceptions) is the guy under center in Ann Arbor, but this team’s offense has been less than dependable, scoring 15, 17, 24, 7, and 17 in the last 5 games overall. Out of respect to Michigan, their losses have come to Texas (#3), Washington (2023 runners-up), Illinois (#25), Oregon (#1), and Indiana (#5).

Michigan Betting Trends

• Michigan is 36-6-2 SU vs Northwestern at the Big House
• The Wildcats are 2-4 ATS the last 6 games
• Michigan is 2-6 ATS at Home this season
• The Wildcats are 9-1 SU the last 10 vs Northwestern
• Michigan has alternated ATS W/L’s the last 8 in series (WLWLWLWL) 

Northwestern vs Michigan Pick and Prediction

These two schools haven’t played since 2021, when the Wolverines took a bite out of the Purple Cats, winning 33-7 in Ann Arbor and covering the big 24-Point Spread by just 2 points in a game that went Under the Total (51) by 11 points. This time the Total is much lower (36.5), and for good reason with the way these two offsense have performed this season. The Weather forecast for Saturday in Ann Arbor is calling for brisk 46°F Temperatures and 13 mph Winds, so not miserable, but also not great. Winter is coming. This Northwestern vs Michigan prediction and free NCAAF pick will back the Home side as we hold our noses. The Wolverines have won the last three Home meetings by 26, 38, and 7 points.

Kevin’s Pick: Michigan -10.5