Michigan hosts Northwestern and needs a win to qualify before closing the season at Ohio State

Northwestern (4-6, 2-5 Big Ten) at Michigan (5-5, 3-4) Saturday, 3:30 PM EST (FS1)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Michigan 11 1/2.

Series record: Michigan leads 59-15-2.

What’s at stake?

The reigning national champion Wolverines need a win to become bowl eligible under first-year coach Sherrone Moore as they will be heavy underdogs on the road against rival and second-seeded Ohio State next week. If the Wildcats suffer an upset at the Big House and close out the regular season with a win at home against Illinois, they will have a chance to make the postseason for the second time in two seasons under coach David Braun.

key match

Michigan’s run game against Northwestern’s relatively stingy run defense. The Wolverines rely heavily on RBs Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings because they are among the worst passing teams in college football. Michigan is averaging 155.5 yards rushing and the Wildcats are giving up an average of 114.6 yards on the ground, ranking 28th in the FBS.

Players to watch

Northwest: AJ Henning. The WR played at Michigan from 2020 through the 2022 season before transferring. He had five catches for 42 yards against Ohio State. Henning tied his career high with 45 catches after having 25 receptions over three seasons with the Wolverines.

Michigan: Colston Loveland. The preseason All-America leads the team with 53 catches, 560 yards receiving and four receiving TDs. He shares the single-season record for catches by TE (Bennie Joppru, 2002).

Facts and figures

The Buckeyes beat Northwestern 31-7 last week at Wrigley Field. … The Wildcats have lost three of their last four games. … QB Jack Lausch was 21 of 35 for 201 yards and a TD against the Buckeyes, but was sacked four times and fumbled. … The Wolverines, who had lost four of five games, had a bye last week. … QB Davis Warren was 16 of 32 for 137 yards in the team’s final game, a 20-15 loss to Indiana. Michigan has won seven straight and went 12 of 13 against Northwestern with the only defeat in the Big House in 2008.