Coming off its second and final bye week, No. 18 Michigan travels to “the friendly confines” of Wrigley Field for a neutral site matchup against Northwestern this afternoon.
The Wolverines (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten) have won three straight but are coming off a lackluster performance two weeks ago in a 21-16 win over Purdue. Michigan will look to bounce back with a better outing today against the Wildcats (5-4, 3-3), who have lost back-to-back games to Nebraska and USC the past two weeks to sour what had looked like a once-promising season for Northwestern.
Follow along with live updates, score and highlights below:
Michigan fumbles on 4th-and-short, fifth turnover for Wolverines: Northwestern 22, Michigan 21
Three straight turnovers for Michigan have the Wolverines on the edge of an upset loss. Michigan led 21-9 at the start of the fourth quarter, but two Bryce Underwood interceptions and a bad exchange between Underwood and Bryson Kuzdzal on fourth-and-short, have derailed the Wolverines.
Bryce Underwood throws another interception: Northwestern 22, Michigan 21
After an excellent first three quarters, Bryce Underwood has made two crucial mistakes here in the fourth quarter. The freshman has thrown interceptions on back-to-back drives, the second of which ended what had been a promising drive for the Maize and Blue.
Michigan trails by one point having given up four turnovers and missing two field goals today.
Bryce Underwood picked off, Wildcats score a touchdown: Northwestern 22, Michigan 21
Michigan is suddenly in trouble in Chicago. Northwestern has scored 13 points in just 55 seconds of game action to take a 23-21 lead over the Wolverines.
Following a 75-yard scoring drive for the Wildcats, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was intercepted and Northwestern scored just one play later on a six-yard run from tailback Caleb Komolafe.
Preston Stone scores 1-yard TD: Michigan 21, Northwestern 16
The Wildcats won’t go away. Just when it appeared Michigan had created separation in this game, Northwestern mounts a seven-play, 75-yard drive to get back to within one score. NU quarterback Preston Stone did it all on the drive for the Wildcats, going 5-for-5 through the air for 81 yards and capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown run on the QB sneak.
Game on in Chicago.
Jordan Marshall punches in 1-yard TD: Michigan 21, Northwestern 9
It’s been far from a clean performance for the Wolverines, but they continue to respond and now have their largest lead of the game. Following a Northwestern field goal off a Maize and Blue turnover, Michigan put together a 10-play, 80-yard drive capped with a one-yard touchdown run by Jordan Marshall.
Marshall is up to 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries for the Wolverines.
Semaj Morgan fumbles punt return, Wildcats get a FG: Michigan 14, Northwestern 9
Michigan’s defense continues to play well in Chicago, smothering Northwestern’s offense out of halftime. However, the self-inflicted wounds continue for the Maize and Blue as punt returner Semaj Morgan fumbled while fighting for extra yards. The Wildcats turned the turnover into a 35-yard field goal from Jack Olson.
Bryce Underwood scores on 9-yard TD run: Michigan 14, Northwestern 6
Michigan comes out swinging in the first half. Following a stop by the Wolverines’ defense, the Maize and Blue finally got an explosive run when Jordan Marshall burst free for 65 yards to set up Michigan inside the Wildcats’ 10 yard line. One play later, Bryce Underwood kept the ball on a read-option play and scampered for an easy, nine-yard score to rebuild the Wolverines lead.
Dominic Zvada just misses on 60-yard FG attempt: Michigan 7, Northwestern 6
Michigan put together a six-play, 33-yard drive to try to get points just before halftime, but kicker Dominic Zvada’s field goal attempt from 60 yards away missed, just barely, to the right. While missing from 60-plus is nothing to be embarrassed about, it continues what has been a rough season for the 2024 All-American. Zvada is now just 10-of-16 on the season.
Jack Olson connects on 26-yard FG: Michigan 7, Northwestern 6
Northwestern turns Michigan’s fumble into points, capping a seven-play, 39-yard drive with a 26-yard field goal to cut the Wolverines’ lead to one point, 7-6.
Andrew Marsh fumbles on reverse, Wildcats recover: Michigan 7, Northwestern 3
Michigan had a solid drive going, thanks to a wild completion on a tipped ball by tight end Deakon Tonielli, but water found its level when the Wolverines attempted a reverse that was blown up by the Wildcats. Wide receiver Andrew Marsh got his hard while attempting to reel in a pitch, fumbled, and Northwestern recovered.
NU’s Jack Olson converts on 34-yard FG: Michigan 7, Northwestern 3
Northwestern cuts into Michigan’s lead with a 34-yard field goal from Jack Olson to make it 7-3. The Wildcats put together a 10-play, 38-yard drive to get on the board, but had a touchdown wiped out by an offensive pass interference down by the goal line.
Jordan Marshall one-yard TD run: Michigan 7, Northwestern 0
Michigan is on the board first in Chicago, as tailback Jordan Marshall crashes across the goal line from one yard out for a touchdown, capping an impressive 12-play, 91-yard drive for the Maize and Blue. The score was set up by a perfect strike from Bryce Underwood to Andrew Marsh on third-and-6, which can be viewed below:
END 1Q: Michigan 0, Northwestern 0
U-M’s Dominic Zvada misses 34-yard FG: Michigan 0, Northwestern 0
Michigan put together a promising opening drive, with quarterback Bryce Underwood going 5-for-5 for 74 yards on the series to lead the Wolverines down the field. However, the drive stalled in the red zone, and after a Jordan Marshall touchdown run was called back for holding, kicker Dominic Zvada missed a 34-yard attempt to keep the games scoreless.
After an outstanding season a year ago, in which he made 21-of-22 field goal attempts, Zvada is just 10-of-15 this season.
Injury Report
Michigan has been hampered by injury through much of the 2025 season, and today looks to be no different. While it appears linebacker Jimmy Rolder, edge rusher Jaishawn Barham and wide receiver Donaven McCulley are available this afternoon, the Wolverines will be without several key contributors including running back Justice Haynes, linebacker Cole Sullivan, left tackle Evan Link, tight end Hogan Hansen and safety Rod Moore.
What channel is Michigan vs. Northwestern on today?
Michigan vs. Northwestern will broadcast nationally on Fox in Week 12 of the 2025 college football season. Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt will call the game from the booth at Wrigley Field, with Jenny Taft reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Michigan vs. Northwestern time today
The Michigan vs Northwestern game starts at 12:10 p.m. EST from Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.
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Michigan vs Northwestern predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, November 15
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: No. 18 Michigan vs. Northwestern live updates, score: Highlights
Reporting by Matthew Lounsberry, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
