College Football

Michigan vs. Northwestern 2018 live stream: Time, TV channel, and prediction

After its shaky start, can Michigan pick up another win before their schedule gets really tough?

Sep 29, 2018, 12:35 PM UTC

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The No. 14 Michigan Wolverines will hit the road to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in Week 5 of the college football season. The game is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX (live streaming via FuboTV, Fox Sports GO).

Michigan suffered an opening-season loss to then-No. 12 Notre Dame, but put up 45-plus points in each of their last three games, none of which were against ranked opponents. They have two more games against unranked teams before they run into three-straight tough matchups: Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State.

Northwestern managed to bead Purdue in their season-opener, but have since lost to Duke and Akron, with the former game not particularly close. Unfortunately, the Wildcats got weaker as a team when starting running back Jeremy Larkin was forced to retire following a spinal issue.

Below is all you need to know to watch Saturday’s game.

Time, TV, and streaming info

Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois
TV: FOX
Streaming: FuboTV, Fox Sports GO
Odds: Northwestern opened as 9-point underdogs, but many books have Michigan favored by 14 points as the game approaches

Michigan vs. Northwestern news

As noted above, Jeremy Larkin had to retire from football due to a diagnosis of cervical stenosis. The condition is not life-threatening, and he will immediately become a student coach. It unquestionably hurts Northwestern’s offensive production, however.
The folks at Inside NU took a look at who steps up with Larkin out — and there isn’t a ton of experience to lean on.
Michigan has struggled against Northwestern at times in their recent history, but rarely do the Wildcats come out on top in the head-to-head.
Shea Patterson has been effective starting at quarterback for Michigan, and a lot of that is thanks to good play from the team’s offensive line and his ability to work from the pocket.
Michigan’s offense isn’t the only unit that’s been improving — their special teams unit is one of the most-improved in all of college football.

Michigan vs. Northwestern prediction

In the latest college football S&P+ rankings, Michigan is fifth in the nation with 25.1 points, while Northwestern comes in at 2.6 points, implying a 22.5-point advantage for Michigan on a neutral field. They’re going to win this one, barring a major breakdown.