Northwestern vs. Michigan 2024 predictions

Northwestern actually has a busy weekend in Ann Arbor. Whereas area hockey punched its ticket to the nationwide title recreation tomorrow, soccer battles the Wolverines for an opportunity to maintain its goals of bowl eligibility alive. Northwestern hasn’t overwhelmed the Wolverines since 2008, a 21-14 victory in Ann Arbor. Who takes house the George Jewett Trophy? Our staffers weigh in.

Adam Beck: Michigan 21, Northwestern 17

With offensive points galore for each squads, you won’t count on a ton of factors. Nevertheless, disregarding the scoreboard, Jack Lausch performed a few of his finest soccer all season towards the Buckeyes final week, whereas Davis Warren has seen enchancment too. It’ll be a good battle within the second half. However the house area benefit at The Large Home paired with Kalel Mullings on the bottom and Colston Loveland by way of the air will probably be simply sufficient for the Wolverines to clinch bowl eligibility.

Brendan Preisman: Michigan 20, Northwestern 14

Each of those squads have extremely strong run defenses, with neither permitting greater than 115 yards on the bottom per recreation. Nevertheless, Michigan’s dashing assault is no less than barely beneath common — 155.5 yards a contest — whereas Northwestern’s mark of 105.9 dashing yards per recreation slots the Wildcats within the backside 10 of the FBS. The Wolverines have an enormous edge in each trenches, and that needs to be sufficient to get them the victory. Northwestern will give The Large Home a scare, however I belief Michigan to place collectively yet one more high quality drive, and that’ll be the distinction.

Miguel Muñoz: Michigan 27, Northwestern 16

Northwestern seemed like a crew that might compete with anybody within the nation for the primary quarter-and-a-half final week towards No. 2 Ohio State. However the wheels fell off quickly after, and the Wildcats struggled to place up a lot of a struggle, ultimately shedding by three scores. It will likely be a a lot harder surroundings this Saturday in The Large Home, the place a crowd of 100,000-plus will probably be awaiting the ‘Cats as they give the impression of being to take care of bowl eligibility. Given the Wolverines’ issues shifting their offense this season, I believe the ‘Cats can maintain this one shut for a majority of the sport. However the crowd will in the end make the distinction, inflicting too many unforced penalties and errors, particularly for an offense that hasn’t but seen a crowd practically this huge.

Ascher Levin: Northwestern 17, Michigan 13

I’m predicting Northwestern to drag off an upset over Michigan in The Large Home. The Wolverines have struggled with quarterback play this season, which has considerably hampered their offense. Their passing assault is proscribed, with Colston Loveland being Michigan’s solely participant with over 170 receiving yards. Michigan leans closely on its floor recreation, led by Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards to generate offense. On the defensive aspect, Michigan is loaded with expertise. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant anchor a formidable defensive position, whereas Will Johnson shines as a lockdown nook. This recreation has all of the makings of a defensive battle. Northwestern, regardless of final week’s loss to Ohio State, confirmed promise. Jack Lausch seemed extra snug below heart, and Bryce Kirtz’s explosiveness gave the offense a much-needed spark. Whereas Michigan entered the season because the defending nationwide champions, this yr’s squad is way from the dominant crew of final season. In a hard-fought battle, I’m taking Northwestern to edge out the Wolverines.

Ethan Weinberg: Michigan 23, Northwestern 17

Northwestern heads into its hardest surroundings of the season, however the competitors actually isn’t as stiff as it would’ve anticipated a few months in the past. The Wolverines are a shell of their 2023 squad that gained the nationwide title, and have one of many worst passing offenses within the nation. Northwestern’s protection ought to have its approach with Davis Warren, however may wrestle to cease the mixture of Mullings and Edwards on the bottom. Jack Lausch has additionally displayed enchancment in latest weeks, however Michigan’s secondary will probably be extraordinarily powerful to crack. I believe the ‘Cats maintain this one shut, but the surroundings will probably be an excessive amount of to beat in The Large Home.

Season Standings:

9-1: Adam Beck

8-2: Brendan Preisman, Ascher Levin, Ethan Weinberg

7-2: Natalie Wells

6-1: Miguel Muñoz

6-3: Charlie Jacobs

2-0: Patrick Winograd

2-1: Harris Horowitz, Sai Trivedi, Wyatt Audler

1-0: Weldon Genies, Calvin Kaplan

1-1: Ben Adams

0-1: Dylan Friedland