Northwestern at Michigan: 10/23/21 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines (6-0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (3-3)
Game Info: Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 12:00 pm (Michigan Stadium)
Betting Odds: Michigan Wolverines -23.5 -- Over/Under: 51 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Northwestern Huskies will travel to Michigan Stadium to take on the 6th ranked Michigan Wolverines this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The Northwestern Huskies improved to 3-3 on the season after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 21-7, this past Saturday. Northwestern was outstanding defensively against Rutgers and was able to pull away in the 2nd half after taking a 14-7 halftime lead. Northwestern outgained Rutgers by a 402-222 margin and won the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Huskies was QB Ryan Hilinski who has completed 18 of 33 passes for 267 yards & 2 TD.
On the season, Northwestern is averaging 21.8 ppg on 374.7 total yards per game (203.3 passing yds/g; 171.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Northwestern has been led by RB Evan Hull who has rushed for 562 yards & 4 TD on 95 carries while hauling in 11 receptions for 74 yards. QB Ryan Hilinski has completed 57.6% of his passes for 645 yards, 3 TD, & 0 INT. The top receiving threats for the Huskies have been Stephon Robinson Jr. (28 rec, 424 yards, 2 TD), Malik Washington (18 rec, 255 yards, 2 TD), & Bryce Kirtz (19 rec, 203 yards).
Defensively, Northwestern is allowing their opponents to average 23.8 ppg on 410.8 total yards per game (205.2 passing yds/g; 205.7 rushing yds/g).
The 6th ranked Michigan Wolverines improved to 6-0 on the season after defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 32-29, on October 9th. Michigan was solid on the offensive end against Nebraska and was able to get the victory after Jake Moody hit a game-winning 39-yard FG with just 1:24 left in regulation. Michigan outgained Nebraska by a 459-431 margin and won the turnover battle by a 2-1 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Wolverines was RB Hassan Haskins who had 123 rushing yards & 2 TD’s on 21 carries.
On the season, Michigan is averaging 38.5 ppg on 440.5 total yards per game (194.0 passing yds/g; 246.5 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Michigan has been led by the RB duo of Blake Corum (97 att, 610 yards, 8 TD) & Hassan Haskins (101 att, 492 yards, 8 TD). QB Cade McNamara has completed 60.5% of his passes for 986 yards, 5 TD, & 1 INT. The top receiving threats for the Wolverines have been Cornelius Johnson (14 rec, 282 yards, 3 TD), Daylen Baldwin (12 rec, 219 yards, 2 TD), & Roman Wilson (9 rec, 145 yards).
Defensively, Michigan is holding their opponents to an average of 15.5 ppg on 310.0 total yards per game (190.7 passing yds/g; 119.3 rushing yds/g).
The Wildcats are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record, however, are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game. The Wolverines are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as a home favorite.
Northwestern picked up an impressive victory at home against Rutgers behind a strong defensive performance, however, this is still a team that is 0-2 on the road this season with a loss at Duke and a more recent 49-point loss at Nebraska. Michigan continues to pile up wins behind their 8th ranked scoring defense and 6th ranked rushing defense and as the Huskies have struggled stopping the run, ranking just 118th in rushing defense, I think we see a Michigan blowout here and that they win by 27+ to cover this spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Michigan Wolverines -23.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
