Michigan Football vs Northwestern Predictions, Analysis and More

The Michigan Wolverines suit up one final time at the Big House this season, as they welcome in the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday for Senior Day.

Maize n Brew staff members have gathered ‘round the table once again to dive into some of the hot topics heading into the game, provide some bold predictions and more!

Well, that was a much needed bye week following another avoidable loss. Let’s allow this first section to be a safe space for you to air any grievances you may have from the Indiana game, or just the season in general. The floor is yours!

Von: At this point, I am just waiting for the month of December to roll around. I am eager to see what the Wolverines do once the transfer portal opens from Dec. 9-28, and I am also excited to see the early signing period unfold. Who will Michigan’s quarterback in the 2025 class be? Will Michigan be able to pull off any last-second flips? These are the things I am greatly looking forward to, and not constantly complaining about bad offensive play calling and missed tackles on defense.

Nick: I will say one thing that’s encouraging is it seems the players still have plenty of fight in them. In a season that spiraled like this one, it’s easy for players to give up and the lack of effort is sometimes very noticeable in games. We haven’t really seen that with Michigan so far even at 5-5 on the year. It seems the group is still hell-bent on finishing the year strong. A 7-5 finish isn’t totally out of the cards, but the Wolverines will need to bring their A-plus-plus-plus game to get there.

Kellen: I’m just pissed any conceivable progress on offense from the Michigan State game was squashed. It really feels like all season long, the Wolverines have wasted a solid defense with NFL contributors because of offensive ineptitude and a play caller who can’t seem to figure out how to move the ball eventually. Between the play calling woes, the quarterback struggles and the turnover issues, Michigan football has been a tough watch this season. At least basketball season is here, right?

Matt: It’s hard to be too disappointed as the memory of Michigan football winning both the Rose Bowl and National Championship is still fresh in my mind. However, I have grave concerns for the future. The hiring of Sherrone Moore was viewed as a slam dunk at the time but now that we have 10 games of evidence available, the results are not great. We’ve seen terrible coordinator hires, clock mismanagement and befuddling personnel decisions. Just about everything a head coach is responsible for has gone wrong. I’m willing to chalk this season up as a loss, but this is already a pivotal offseason upcoming for Moore or else things could turn sour quickly.

Grace: I feel annoyed by so many of the offensive coaching decisions in the game against Indiana. Though, the thing I’m seeing more and more is a team full of players giving it their all. So while it’s upsetting to not see a guy like Kalel Mullings get the ball on goal-to-go situations, at least you’re not seeing players give up.

Up next is a pivotal game against Northwestern, which is absolutely disgusting to say. This is probably Michigan’s last chance to reach bowl eligibility. A lot of “fans” don’t care about making a non-CFP bowl game, but how do you view it? Do you think it’s important for future success? Do you want to watch this team play in one more game?

Von: A bowl game not named the Rose Bowl or another CFP game is a total nothing burger for fans of any team these days, but it is incredibly meaningful for the team. To be able to get the younger guys more reps and experience is crucial to the future of the program. It would be awesome to see guys that we expect to play more in 2025 like Jordan Marshall, Dominic Nichols, Mason Curtis, and even Jadyn Davis get some meaningful playing time. Plus, it would be the one stress-free game of the season, and wouldn’t it be nice to watch a Michigan game with a beer in hand and have zero worries in the world?

Nick: I still think it’s important for the team to make a bowl even if it doesn’t have any playoff implications. I get that the smaller bowl games are basically glorified scrimmages, but it gives guys a chance to play football at the bare minimum. Following the season, Michigan is going to lose some more contributors, particularly on defense, so it’d be great to see some of the younger guys get some in-game reps against another opponent. Not to mention, we could see guys like Jadyn Davis and Jordan Marshall or some of the younger offensive linemen. I’ll take any chance I can get to see the Wolverines play even if there aren’t major implications.

Kellen: Yes, it is important for future success. We’ll likely see NFL pedigree players like Mason Graham and Will Johnson — the latter of which I think has played his last game at Michigan — sit out the bowl game, but those extra practices will be important for the young players on this roster and the early enrollees. Any sort of clarity towards next season is essential, and those extra bowl game practices would be key. Plus, possibly winning the Pop Tart Bowl would rule, solely for the meme potential.

Matt: I do view it as very important. Will I care about the non-CFP bowl game itself? Absolutely not. However, the extra month of practice and the opportunity for younger players to step into the limelight for a game will be pivotal for their development. Bowl eligibility doesn’t mean much for us fans, but it means something to the players in the locker room and their chance to play more football.

Grace: I think it’d be a pretty bad look if Michigan didn’t win six games this season given the amount of work spent on keeping these players together after the National Championship. I get that Michigan fans (myself included) expected a lot more, but even a revamped team like Washington just reached six wins after a similar season last year. I’d watch a bowl game and would be excited to see more of the young guys get a chance to play. Bowl games still seem important even if they’re not the playoff.

Tomorrow is the home finale, which means it will be the last time we see some guys play at the Big House. Which player that is set to graduate/declare early for the NFL will you miss watching the most out of this group?

Von: The most obvious choice is Mason Graham — that guy is a monster and one of the best defensive tackles in program history. However, I’m going to stray away from him for a second and talk about Donovan Edwards. Yes, he has been a frustrating player over the last couple years, but he has led to some of the greatest moments in recent program history. His two long touchdowns in Columbus will live in Michigan football history forever, as will his two long scores against Washington in the National Championship. A 10-reception game as a true freshman against Maryland was awesome, as was his passing touchdown against Iowa in the Big Ten Championship. There’s no doubt it was an up and down career, but you can’t tell the tale of Michigan’s dominant three-year stretch without bringing up Dono.

Nick: Defensive tackles like Mason Graham don’t grow on trees and I think it’s safe to assume this will be his final game at the Big House. Graham has been an absolute game-wrecker that’s made more than a handful of big plays throughout his three seasons in maize and blue. The same could be said for Will Johnson (if he plays Saturday), who has been one of the best corners Michigan has had in quite some time. It’s been special to watch those two on Michigan’s defense in recent years. They’ll definitely be missed.

Kellen: Mason Graham. That guy has been elite in the trenches for a few seasons now, and he’s going to do great things in the NFL. He is going to be nearly impossible to replace, both with his on-field talents and his off-field leadership.

Matt: Mason Graham is the easy answer for me. Despite Michigan having a disastrous season, we can’t take for granted one of the most dominant defensive tackles in program history absolutely mashing all season long. Graham’s TFL in overtime of the Rose Bowl will be remembered fondly in Michigan football lore. Take some time in the next two games and just watch the interior defensive line on a drive or two. It’s a sight to behold.

Grace: Probably Donovan Edwards or Colston Loveland. I know the defensive guys will be tough to lose, but I’ve enjoyed watching Edwards and Loveland play this season.

Give us a bold prediction or two for tomorrow’s game.

Von: Someway, somehow, the Michigan defense scores a touchdown in this one. Just to be even more bold, and because it’s Senior Day, let’s say it’s a Makari Paige pick-six.

Nick: For all his struggles this year, I think Donovan Edwards has one more big touchdown left in the tank. I think we see him get loose for a 40+ yard touchdown in the game as he gets warmed up for his return to Columbus. I’ll also bank on three more Dominic Zvada field goals. Not exactly bold, but I’d put some money on it if I were a betting man.

Kellen: Michigan scores two defensive touchdowns: one pick-six and one scoop-and-score (hoping Kenneth Grant converts the latter).

Matt: The Michigan secondary puts it all together for a game and holds Northwestern to less than 150 passing yards.

Grace: Michigan’s defense scores a touchdown and the receivers are impactful in another game for the Wolverines.

Prediction time! What’s the final score and why?

Von (7-3): Michigan 27, Northwestern 10. This will be a game that only Michigan and Northwestern fans watch — it’s gonna be UGLY. Davis Warren plays another turnover-free game and leads the Wolverines to bowl eligibility.

Nick (3-1): Michigan is just about a two-score favorite in the game, which seems appropriate with how Northwestern has been this year. Give me Michigan by a final score of 23-7. Nothing crazy, but we’ll take the win.

Kellen (2-4): Michigan wins, 31-14, and clinches bowl eligibility.

Matt (4-3): Michigan 27, Northwestern 6. Northwestern feels like it put all it’s eggs in the “upset Ohio State” basket last weekend. That lasted about a quarter and a half. Now sitting at 4-6, the Wildcats don’t have much to play for while the Wolverines somewhat do. It won’t be a pretty game by any stretch, but Michigan’s superior talent will be evident and enough to win handily.

Grace (5-5): 24-10, Michigan. Michigan’s defense looks like we expected all season. Offense still has some drives stall out, but gets into the end zone a few times.