Michigan Wolverines vs Northwestern Wildcats Prediction, Odds and Picks for Saturday, 11/15/25

This one looks tricky on paper, and the market’s hesitation around Michigan tells the story. The Wolverines are 7–2 and sitting inside the Top 20 in the College Football Playoff rankings, but they’re just 3–6 against the spread — hardly a résumé that inspires trust. Bettors are hesitant to back Michigan in a road spot laying double digits against a Northwestern team that’s been pesky all season.

The Wildcats have been better than advertised. Yes, they’ve dropped two straight, but their résumé holds up under the microscope. They’ve beaten Penn State and UCLA, gave Oregon all it could handle, and even took Nebraska to the wire — all while playing above their perceived ceiling. Michigan, meanwhile, has survived more than they’ve dominated. They eked out wins over Purdue and Nebraska, and their two losses — both by double digits — came against USC and Oklahoma, teams firmly inside the Top 15.

So yes, it’s uncomfortable to lay points with a Michigan team that hasn’t been a covering machine. But the number and the situation tell us what we need to know. This is a “buy low” spot on the Wolverines. Northwestern’s recent fight has been baked into the line, and Michigan’s inconsistency has depressed the number. In a game where class and ceiling matter more than form, Michigan owns both advantages. The Wolverines have too much size, depth, and speed on both sides of the ball, and when they’ve needed to flex, they’ve done so.

Michigan vs Northwestern prediction: Michigan -11.5 (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable to -12.