Week 12 Game Predictions: Northwestern vs. Michigan

Gavin Dorsey

Nov 15, 2025, 16:30

Gavin Dorsey

Nov 15, 2025, 16:30

Updated at: Nov 15, 2025, 16:30

The 'Cats will take on the Friendly Confines, looking for their first win at Wrigley Field in program history.

Northwestern (5-3, 3-3 B1G) is headed south to Wrigley Field on Saturday for the first of two games at the home of the Chicago Cubs. Still searching for a sixth win to clinch bowl eligibility, the Wildcats are set to face No. 18 Michigan (7-2, 5-1 B1G), which is in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth. Here's how our writers at NorthwesternRoundtable predicted the game would go:

Gavin Dorsey: Michigan 20, Northwestern 16

My gut is telling me that this is the exact kind of game that Northwestern will be able to pull off a shocker. Both teams have strong run games and good defenses, and the number of possessions will be limited today. I trust David Braun to learn from his mistakes in managing last week's loss to USC and play the exact type of game he wants against Michigan — a physical, ugly contest in which both teams drag each other through the mud.

This feels like a Wildcats upset. It's Northwestern's final game at Wrigley Field. The Wolverines looked sluggish a week ago against Purdue. Bryce Underwood — while very talented — is still just a freshman quarterback, and the 'Cats will likely look to pressure him into bad throws all day long.

And yet, I just can't get myself to officially pick Northwestern. I look up and down Michigan's roster, and with the amount of talent in the trenches, it's hard to imagine a game in which the Wolverines average less than six yards per carry. The spread is Michigan by 13.5, which is certainly too high, given just how few possessions I expect each team to have. The Wildcats will keep this close, but Michigan's ground game will put it away late.

Ryan Cole: Michigan 21, Northwestern 17

I think the sixth win comes against Minnesota. The ‘Cats could certainly pull this one out, but I’m not sure their typical recipe for success – running the ball and sustaining drives – will work as well against a team like Michigan. The Wolverines defend the run well, and they play a similar game. I’m betting the ranked team is better at playing that game and comes out on top. It also doesn’t help that Michigan fans will likely dominate the crowd at Wrigley. Northwestern will be competitive in this game, but I think it takes another week to clinch bowl eligibility.

Week 12 Game Predictions: Northwestern vs. Michigan