Michigan @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 15, 2008 ) Northwestern 21, Michigan 14

THE STORY: No. 11 Michigan takes to the road for the first time this season when it faces Big Ten rival Northwestern. The Wolverines won five straight home games to open the year, including a 58-0 pasting of Minnesota in its Big Ten opener last weekend. The Wildcats began league play with a tight 38-35 loss at No. 16 Illinois.

TV: Big Ten Network. LINE: Michigan -7

ABOUT MICHIGAN (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten): The Wolverines rely heavily on quarterback Denard Robinson, who ranks among the nation's top rushers with 603 yards and has also thrown for 793 yards. Robinson has been somewhat erratic with six interceptions, but has accounted for 14 touchdowns (six rushing, eight passing). Michigan has been almost automatic in the red zone offensively, scoring 17 touchdowns and four field goals in 22 trips, while the Wolverines' defense has held foes scoreless in 7-of-14 red-zone opportunities.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (2-2, 0-1): The Wildcats were either leading or tied for the lead with less than three minutes left in each of the last two weeks before suffering two agonizing road defeats at Army (21-14) and Illinois. Quarterback Dan Persa made his return last week after missing 10 months with a torn Achilles tendon and completed 10-of-14 passes with four touchdowns. Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert has caught five touchdown passes in the last two games, including three last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan's shutout victory last weekend was its first since 2007, when it blanked Notre Dame 38-0.

2. Michigan and Northwestern rank first and second in the Big Ten in turnover margin at plus seven and plus five, respectively.

3. Michigan leads the all-time series 52-15-2, but the Wildcats won the last meeting 21-17 at Michigan in 2008.

PREDICTION: Michigan 35, Northwestern 20 - This will be a must-win game for the Wildcats after back-to-back losses, but Robinson should prove too much to handle.