Big Ten rivals redefine “play ball” at Wrigley Field on Saturday when Northwestern and No. 18 Michigan battle at the “Friendly Confines” in Chicago.
Michigan (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten), which moved up in the College Football Rankings from a debut at No. 21, was idle last week after holding off Purdue 21-16 two weeks ago for its third consecutive victory. The Wolverines are among 10 two-loss teams ranked outside the 12 playoff spots.
The Wolverines likely would have to run the table for playoff consideration. Michigan follows Northwestern on the schedule with a road game at Maryland and then close at home against top-ranked Ohio State.
Six days after temperatures fell below freezing and winds howled at 25-30 mph at Soldier Field for the Bears’ sixth win of the 2025 season, sun-soaked Wrigley is expected to see unseasonably warm 60-degree weather for what is officially a “home” game on Northwestern’s schedule.
The Wildcats (5-4,3-3 Big Ten) lost at USC 38-17 last Friday. Northwestern has dropped two straight after a four-game winning streak.
“The urgency with me, with the coaches, with the players is at an all-time high to make sure that we’re prepared and because when opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare, right?” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “So, you’ve got to you got to go attack it right now. And I feel like our guys are doing that.”
Sophomore Jordan Marshall ran for a career-high 185 yards and all three Michigan touchdowns in the win over Purdue. The Wolverines outgained the Boilermakers 398 yards to 276, holding Purdue to a season-low 138 passing yards.
The Wolverines average 28.1 points and 409.4 yards per game, yielding 17.2 points and 304 yards.
Freshman Bryce Underwood throws for 185.7 yards per game with seven touchdowns and three picks. Donavan McCulley has 26 catches for 383 yards and Andrew Marsh 25 for 376 yards.
Leading rusher Justice Haynes — who averages 122.4 yards per game and scored 10 touchdowns — suffered a foot injury last month and is week-to-week, Moore said. Haynes’ status is questionable for the rest of the regular season. Marshall has 729 rushing yards and eight scores.
Michigan leads the FBS with seven rushing plays of 50 yards or more, including six for touchdowns.
“Michigan is a really good football team, 7-2,” Northwestern coach David Braun said. “Coach Moore has done a great job of running the football at a high level. Young, talented quarterback starting to settle in. He is playing at a really high level.”
Northwestern was tied 14-all against USC until the Trojans scored a touchdown late in the first half. USC then scored on its first possession of the third quarter for a two-touchdown lead.
The Wildcats were outgained by USC 482-280 and allowed the Trojans to score on all six trips to the red zone.
“Ultimately, you know, we didn’t get the job done,” Braun said. “I have to do a better job coaching this team. We need to do a better job of performing on game day and I am really excited to bounce back and get back to our winning ways.”
Northwestern averages 21.9 points and 351.3 yards per game, allowing 19.1 points and 324.0 yards.
Quarterback Preston Stone averages 169.1 passing yards per game with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Griffin Wilde is the top target with 43 receptions for 593 yards and five scores.
Leading rusher Caleb Komolafe averages 80.7 yards per game with eight touchdowns.
Michigan has dominated the series, winning 13 of the last 14 meetings. Northwestern’s only win in that span was 21-14 at Michigan in 2008. The Wolverines have won 35 of the last 39 matchups.
–Field Level Media
