Wrigley Field hosts a historic match up. Three bold predictions: Underwood's breakout, defensive turnovers, and a special teams play sealing victory.
This Saturday, November 15, 2025, the no. 18 Michigan Wolverines will travel to Chicago to face the Northwestern Wildcats at Wrigley Field. The Wolverines (7-2) will look to add a key Big Ten road win as they continue their late-season College Football Playoff push, while the Wildcats (5-4) will be aiming for a win to achieve bowl eligibility. While the Wolverines come in with the historical advantage and superior talent, facing a scrappy, motivated Wildcats team in the unique confines of a baseball park could lead to some unexpected twists. Here are three bold predictions for the upcoming George Jewett Trophy game:
1. Bryce Underwood Finally Has His Breakout Game
Michigan's true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood has shown that he can be that guy, but he has also been inconsistent. After an up-and-down performance against Purdue, he struggled against both Oklahoma and USC. He enters this game against a Northwestern pass defense that is generally stout, but has shown vulnerabilities, especially in their most recent loss to USC.
Expect the Wolverines to utilize their ground game early and often to wear down Northwestern's defense, a strategy that plays into their strengths. This will open up opportunities in the passing game as the game progresses. Underwood will connect on several deep shots, including a touchdown pass of 40+ yards to wide receiver Donaven McCulley, who is having a strong season. In the end, Underwood will finish with more than 200 passing yards and at least two touchdowns, silencing some of the doubts about his ability to consistently perform against quality Big Ten defenses.
2. Northwestern's Defense Forces Three Michigan Turnovers
While Michigan's offense is talented, Northwestern's defense has proven to be a tough unit this season. The Wildcats rank 32nd in the FBS in total defense and have been particularly good at stopping the run. This is largely due to their stout front seven, which features several veteran players who play with high effort and discipline.
Northwestern will capitalize on some of Michigan's offensive inconsistencies and force three turnovers in the game. Look for the Wildcats to get to Underwood and force a bad throw that results in an interception by linebacker Mac Uihlein. They will also capitalize on a fumble from a Michigan running back, as the Wolverines have had some issues with ball security at times. These turnovers will allow Northwestern to keep the game competitive for longer than many expect and will likely lead to some much-needed scoring opportunities.
3. A Special Teams Play Decides the Outcome
This bold prediction might be the boldest of all. While most of the attention will be on the offenses and defenses, a special teams play could ultimately decide the winner of this game. Northwestern has a solid special teams unit, featuring a strong punter in Niki Dugandzic and a dangerous kick returner in Drew Wagner. Both players could make an impact at Wrigley Field, where the unique dimensions of the field could come into play.
The decisive special teams play will come late in the fourth quarter. It could be anything from a muffed punt return to a blocked field goal to a long kick or punt return for a touchdown. The Wolverines will either win or lose this game based on the outcome of a key special teams play. It's an old-school Big Ten matchup, and it's only fitting that a special teams play would be the deciding factor.
Overall, this promises to be a closer and more hard-fought contest than many expect, given Northwestern's solid defense and the unique venue. However, the Wolverines' superior talent should ultimately prevail, especially if Underwood can finally put together a complete game. The key will be which team can impose their will in the trenches, and which unit steps up to make a game-changing play on special teams.