Preview Northwestern

Time: 12:00 

Location: Wrigley Field 

Weather: 64 Partly Sunny 

TV: Fox 

Line: Michigan -11.5

This is a weird game in a historic location.  Never thought I would type Wrigley Field into the location spot in a game day preview post.  This is not your father's Northwestern team and they play fundamental football.  A team like that is one you might suspect could give the young Wolverines trouble.   Mostly if those young Wolverines are still injured coming off a bye week. 

Dear Sherrone,

You have 3 games left in this season to cement the legacy of the 2025 Wolverines.  2 road games and then hosting THE GAME.  The team has won the games they should've this season but at times they look like a young team trying to find its footing. 

You clearly have an injury problem.  Your best player on offense is out with foot surgery after coming back from a rib injury.  Your WR's and TE's are banged up and your offensive line has had guys in and out all year.   That is just one side of the ball.  

On defense you have room full of LB's out with injuries and the hope is the bye week allowed them to return this week.   Nobody knows what your secondary is going to look like week to week.  This is not a game you can over look.  Northwestern wants to go to a Bowl Game and they are playing in Chicago's most iconic stadium.  They would love nothing better then beating a ranked Michigan team in Wrigley.  

My hope is Wink has been spending two weeks designing a defense to stop Northwestern and Chip is finding ways to open the offense for the 18 year-old 5 star QB we have.  I'm worried that your going to run the wheels off of Jordan Marshall in the run game.   The best way to not do that is find a passing game that gets first downs on early downs.  Throw to the TE's! 

I don't know what the hell has happened to your Special Teams.  That needs to be better in all areas and I hope you worked on that during the past 2 weeks.  

Northwestern is not going to beat themselves, so play smart tough football.  Open the offense enough to score 24-30 points and let Wink stop the Wildcats offense.   This should be a "clean" football game on both sides and if Wink doesn't blitz too much, Michigan has a great chance to leave the Windy City with a Win.  Some young guys might feel like tourists in such a historic building, keep the team focused that this is a business trip and they will need to play hard to win the game.   There will be plenty time for photos after the game. 

Michigan 28 Northwestern 17 

Big Ten Weekend Preview: Week 12

Not the best matchup weekend but there is at least one interesting game to keep an eye on. 

Friday Night:

Minnesota @ Oregon (-25.5):  I don't believe the Ducks are as good as everyone thinks but the Golden Gophers don't play well on the road ever.  Night game, short week, long travel, no way.   Ducks 31 Gophers 10 

Saturday:

Wisconsin @ IU (-29.5):  I have no idea how Luke kept his job when he is traveling to a Big Ten school on Saturday and the Badgers are a 30 point dog.   Wisconsin does have heart and just had a big win over Washington who is another team that can't play road to save their lives.   IU 44 Wisconsin 14

Iowa @ USC (-6.5):  This is the best game of the weekend.  Iowa is tough and should've beat the Ducks last week and was competitive with IU.  USC is rolling and has a shot at the Big10 Championship game and maybe even the playoffs.  I think this will be low scoring affair.   USC 24 Iowa 16

Penn State (-6.5) @ MSU:  Both teams are 3-6 and both teams are currently on fire.  MSU had to vacate wins this week and Penn State is the most disappointing team in the country this year.  One head coach is fired the other could be replaced by the red hot Brian Kelly, who just wants his $54M.   I would normally say don't watch this game, but the dueling flame throwers could be entertaining.  PSU 20 MSU 17

Maryland @ Illinois (-14.5):  I don't see any other reason to watch this game then scouting Maryland for next week.  Illinois 27 Maryland 17

Purdue @ Washington (-16.5):  The Huskies are a different team when they play in Seattle.   Purdue is getting better but not today.  UW 28 Purdue 9 

UCLA @ OSU (-32.5):  NBC must love that they have a primetime game with #1 team in the nation and a 32.5 spread.  Yikes.  OSU 41 UCLA 13

Wolverine Wednesday: It was Ugly

Michigan Basketball took the floor at Little Caesars last night against Wake Forest.  Michigan controlled much of the 1st half but started to miss shots in the 2nd and had to struggle to get the game to OT.  The 7'3 Mara is really the difference in this talented team right now.   He is a huge rim protector and adds some nice offense.  Michigan won the game by 1 point in OT. 

Michigan still needs to be better in many areas against good teams. 

1. Hit free throws.  The game would have been easily handled if the free throws were made. 

2. Too many bad turnovers 

3. Better point guard play 

4. Don't settle for 3 pointers 

Many of these issues are the guys not playing much with each other.  It will get better and it's a big win, when they are playing so poorly.  They also need to hustle, Wake came back in the 2nd by just playing harder.  They have a ton of talent on the team and that talent won't win games alone if they don't play hard. 

A win is a win and the team is 2-0. 

It's flip season as the early signing period will be here before we know it and Michigan flipped another LB yesterday from USF in 3 star athlete Kaden Catching.  Kaden is 6'2 220 from Mississippi and had offers from the likes of Memphis, Ole Miss, Liberty, and other smaller programs.  Michigan is hoping they found a diamond in the rough here.  Welcome Kaden! 

Michigan has now flipped prospects from Wisconsin, Miami of Ohio, and USF in the last week. 

Michigan Tuesday: Random Thoughts

With Michigan in rest and recovery mode before its matchup this weekend at Wrigley, I thought I would share some random thoughts today. 

• If you follow the NFL you know what Coach Mac is doing out in Seattle with the Seahawks.  They play a very similar style to Michigan's style of play.   There are a lot of former Wolverines helping with that success, including Jay Harbaugh.   Congrats to all of them on successful season so far.  

• Ever since I have been watching Michigan Football one of my biggest complaints is that the Wolverines are too predictable on offense.  This is an issue right now for Chip designing plays for an 18 year-old QB.  Michigan has to be able to throw the ball to open the run.  

• I'm also concerned about the RB depth behind Jordan Marshall, we can't wear out Marshall all game without a balanced offensive attack and some relief at RB. 

• Michigan's 3rd WR, probably should be a TE.

• I don't think we can point to this years injuries to the new S&C guy, injuries are just random things.  I do think Michigan's practices are too physical during the season.  (just speculating) 

• Big fan of Barham, but I'm not sure he is playing either DE or LB well right now.  Teams know to run to his side because when he pass rushes he doesn't play the run very well and leaves a huge hole.  Michigan needs him to be dominant in the next 3 Saturdays. 

• Special Teams has to be better.  Morgan has to catch punts, Z has to make his kicks, our punter has to punt at least 40 yards per attempt, and we have to make better decision returning kickoffs. 

• Little surprised that we haven't heard how Justice's surgery went?

• JJ in the NFL when healthy, has a good game then he follows it up with a bad one.  The life of a Rookie.

• I can't believe I'm saying this, but I would love for Michigan to win out and not play in the Big Ten Championship game and get an invite to the CFP.   

• After a few rough weeks, the loses to Oklahoma and USC are looking like quality losses right now. 

Happy Veterans Day to all that served in our Military.  My late father was in the Army and I'm very grateful to the bravery and dedication to all that served our great country.  

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!