The Northwestern Wildcats have lost six consecutive meetings with the Michigan Wolverines but have been competitive of late, as four of the last five defeats were by fewer than nine points. Northwestern was trounced 38-0 in its last game in Ann Arbor in 2015 but lost in overtime in its previous visit three years earlier and posted a 21-14 victory in 2008. The Wildcats attempt to end the overall slide and pull off a major upset when they visit the sixth-ranked Wolverines on Saturday. Northwestern, which is 15-58-2 in the all-time series, has lost both of its road games this season by a combined 86-30 score.
Kickoff at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. is set for noon ET. The Wolverines are 23.5-point favorites in the latest Michigan vs. Northwestern odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 51. Before locking in any Northwestern vs. Michigan picks, you need to see the college football predictions from SportsLine's advanced computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,700 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 8 of the 2021 season on a 22-9 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now the model has dialed in on Michigan vs. Northwestern and just revealed its CFB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see the model's picks. Here are several CFB odds and betting lines for Northwestern vs. Michigan:
- Michigan vs. Northwestern spread: Wolverines -23.5
- Michigan vs. Northwestern over-under: 51 points
- Michigan vs. Northwestern money line: Wolverines -2400, Wildcats +1100
- MICH: The Wolverines are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games
- NW: The Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last six contests against teams with winning records
Why Michigan can cover
The Wolverines have had tremendous success in the all-time series against Northwestern as they have gone 58-15-2 in 75 meetings. Michigan enters Saturday having won six consecutive overall contests and 33 of the last 37 while owning a 35-6-2 record in Ann Arbor. The last showdown at Michigan Stadium was a laugher as the Wolverines rolled to a 38-0 victory on Oct. 10, 2015.
Michigan is 14th in the nation with an average of 38.5 points per game and have scored in 20 of its 24 quarters this season, reaching double digits in 11 of them. The Wolverines have made a habit of getting off to good starts as they've outscored their opponents 41-13 in the opening quarter and 118-23 in the first half. They also have been efficient in the red zone, scoring on 25 of their 26 opportunities (16 touchdowns nine field goals).
Why Northwestern can cover
Sophomore quarterback Ryan Hilinski quickly has formed a strong connection with Stephon Robinson Jr., who has amassed 231 of his team-leading 424 receiving yards over the last two games. Robinson is the first Wildcat with back-to-back games of 100 or more receiving yards since 2018, when Flynn Nagel accomplished the feat. The senior wideout posted only two 100-yard performances in his first 26 collegiate contests.
A transfer from South Carolina, Hilinski has thrown for over 250 yards in each of his last two outings after being limited to 88 by Ohio in his first start for the Wildcats. Four different players share the team lead with two receiving touchdowns, with two of them being tight ends. Half of sophomore Marshall Lang's four catches this season have been for scores while senior Trey Pugh, who is questionable for Saturday due to an undisclosed injury, hauled in a pair of TD passes against Michigan State in the 2021 season opener.
How to make Northwestern vs. Michigan picks
SportsLine's model says the game goes under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 49 points. It also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only get the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Michigan vs. Northwestern? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is on a 22-9 run on top-rated picks, and find out.