The Michigan Wolverines are looking to stay undefeated as they welcome the Northwestern Wildcats to Ann Arbor for a 12pm ET kickoff on Saturday.
Michigan is currently ranked sixth in the nation with a 6-0 record, although the Wolverines haven’t beaten a ranked team yet this season. Next week UM takes on also-undefeated (and ranked) Michigan State — will this game be a look-ahead spot?
The Wolverines have to get by a Northwestern team that has been surprisingly bad with a 3-3 record, but is it too much to ask them to cover as more than three-touchdown college football betting favorites?
Here are our college football picks and predictions for Northwestern vs. Michigan on Saturday, October 23.
Northwestern vs Michigan odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
The preseason look-ahead had Michigan a half-point favorite for this game, but sportsbooks expected better from Northwestern and just haven’t got it. Now, the line sits at greater than three touchdowns, with Michigan listed as a 23.5-point favorite. Meanwhile, the total has moved from 50 at open to 51. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
Northwestern vs Michigan picks
Picks made on 10/20/2021 at 5:05 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
If you're signing up for a new sportsbook for the 2021 college football season, here are two of the best welcome bonuses available:
USA: Risk-free bet up to $5,000 at Caesars. Claim Now
Canada: Get up to $500 in free bets at Sports Interaction. Claim Now
Northwestern vs Michigan game info
• Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
• Date: Saturday, October 23, 2021
• Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
Northwestern vs Michigan betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Northwestern: Sam Gerak OL (Questionable), Bryce Kirtz WR (Questionable, Andrew Marty QB (Questionable), Trey Pugh TE (Questionable).
Michigan: Ronnie Bell WR (Out), Roman Wilson WR (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Wolverines are 4-0 ATS in their last four games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game. Find more NCAA betting trends for Northwestern vs. Michigan.
Northwestern vs Michigan predictions
Michigan -23.5 (-110)
For Michigan, this is a hefty spread to cover — but the Wolverines are on a mission and can’t look back now. Against Northwestern, Michigan needs to prove it belongs in the College Football Playoff discussion.
At 6-0, the Wolverines will have tons of pressure moving forward, as their remaining schedule features the Big Ten's elite in Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State — but this is a game they can’t lose, even in a classic look-ahead spot.
Michigan's offense averages 38.5 points per game, powered by a running game that is nearing 250 yards per contest. Blake Corum has rushed for 610 yards on 97 attempts and has been the backbone for this offense.
On the other hand, it’s the defense that has sealed these victories. The Wolverines are holding opponents to 15.5 ppg and have one of the more elite defenses in the nation. The coverage can break down at times, but ultimately this defense should have no problem stopping a Northwestern offense that is only averaging 21.8 ppg.
Northwestern has tried out multiple quarterbacks this year but is now set on Ryan Hilinski, who has thrown for 645 yards and three touchdowns in four games. He's done well to protect the ball but doesn't offer much more beyond that, plus the Wildcats' offensive line has struggled to protect Hilinski (and all other Northwestern QBs that have been under center), although they are solid at rushing the ball, averaging 171.3 yards per game.
Unfortunately for NW, Michigan’s rushing defense has allowed just 119.3 yards per game this season and have been absolutely elite at getting into the backfield and giving opponents minimal gains on the ground.
The Wildcats are going to struggle to score points and one area where Northwestern has struggled has been its rushing defense, allowing 205.7 yards per game. Michigan should find plenty of holes in that defense and gain big yardage on its way to a big victory at home.
Under 51 (-110)
Northwestern is averaging 21.8 points per game but the only area it's been consistent offensively has been with the run game. And it's going to be extremely hard to gain a hefty amount of yards against this Michigan defense — and while the Wolverine's secondary hasn’t been elite, it'll be just fine against Northwestern as they can use their pass rush to get constant pressure on Hilinski.
Simply put, Michigan should dominate in this game. We haven’t seen it against major competition but we know that the Wolverines can secure massive wins against bad teams — and Northwestern has been one of the most disappointing teams in the nation this year.
Michigan’s rushing game will help run the clock down and Northwestern will be forced to run the football and try anything it can to even get first downs.
We like the under in this one.
Did you know that if you parlayed our Northwestern vs. Michigan picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our college football parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on college football odds?
You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NCAA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of college football prop odds. Head over to our best football betting sites for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.
