Week 5 Game Predictions: Northwestern vs. Louisiana-Monroe

Gavin Dorsey

Oct 4, 2025, 19:16

Gavin Dorsey

Oct 4, 2025, 19:16

Updated at: Oct 4, 2025, 19:16

Northwestern (2-2, 1-1 Big Ten) closes out its 2025 nonconference schedule on Saturday against the University of Louisiana-Monroe (3-1, 1-0 Sun Belt). As the 'Cats look to break .500 for the first time this season, NorthwesternRoundtable predicted how NU's home bout against the Warhawks will go:

Gavin Dorsey: Northwestern 27, UL-Monroe 10

This matchup against a Sun Belt opponent is a must-win for the Wildcats, especially considering the difficulty of the team's remaining schedule. Louisiana-Monroe has a strong run game, but I think the 'Cats' talent gap will be enough to give them the win.

Against UCLA, Northwestern's offense finally clicked in the first half. Zach Lujan relied on Caleb Komolafe's physicality on the ground to truly dive into the play-action game, making Preston Stone's job significantly easier. ULM's run defense ranks 16th in the FBS, allowing just 84.5 yards per game, but the Komolafe and Joseph Himon rushing attack is one of the most prolific in the Big Ten (183.5 YPG). One of those has to win over the other, and Stone's arm will be the difference if NU's ground game can break through.

Ryan Cole: Northwestern 24, UL-Monroe 14

According to ESPN BET, the spread in this game is 11.5. I don’t have faith in the ‘Cats to cover it. UL Monroe is better than people are giving it credit for – they’re definitely better than Western Illinois. This is a 3-1 team that has only lost to Alabama this season.

On the Northwestern side of things, I still don’t trust the offense to put up huge numbers. Maybe Preston Stone and Zach Lujan prove me wrong and they really air it out in this game against what still should be a lesser opponent. But I expect a lot of carries for Caleb Komolafe and long, methodical drives from the Wildcats.

What I don’t expect are explosive scoring plays, and I wouldn’t be stunned to see Northwestern turn the ball over. The defense should be good enough to limit UL Monroe, though. It all adds up to a comfortable win, but not a dominant one. ‘Cats by 10.

Week 5 Game Predictions: Northwestern vs. Louisiana-Monroe