Michigan Wolverines vs. Northwestern Wildcats Complete Game Preview

Michigan (4-5, 2-3 Big Ten) bounced back from a big road loss to instate rival Michigan State to defeat hapless Indiana, 34-10 on homecoming. Brady Hoke now takes his team on the road to face Northwestern (3-5, 2-3 Big Ten) needing at least two more victories to gain a bowl bid. A win versus Northwestern is crucial—Michigan’s final two regular-season opponents (Maryland, Ohio State) have a combined record of 13-4. A loss may signal the end of the Brady Hoke era.

The drama between these two programs extends beyond the field. Michigan has targeted Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips as a possible replacement for David Brandon, who resigned on Friday.

If Michigan poaches Phillips, will he bring football coach Pat Fitzgerald along with him to Ann Arbor? Fitzgerald has been a target of Michigan during past searches.

With Northwestern football facing an uncertain future in the wake of its players voting to unionize, the loss of Phillips and or Fitzgerald would be devastating.

Michigan’s running game showed life last week and will need a repeat performance versus Northwestern as Brady Hoke continues his quest to save his job.

Date: Saturday, November 8, 2014

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Place: Ryan Field (47,330), Evanston, Illinois

Series vs. Northwestern: Michigan leads series 55-15-2

Television: ESPN2

Radio: Michigan Sports Network, Sirius (113), XM (195)

Spread: Northwestern by 2 via Odds Shark

Live Stats: University of Michigan Statbroadcast

Last Meeting vs. Northwestern

Last season, Michigan suffered a 1-4 record during November with its sole victory coming over Northwestern 27-19 in a triple-overtime thriller. The Wolverines forced overtime with a critical field goal in poor weather as regulation time expired. 

(Information according to University of Michigan Wolverine Football game notes.)

Video Preview

Highlights from last year's 27-19 (3OT) Michigan victory over Northwestern.

Michigan's Keys to Victory

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Drake Johnson

Keep the Ground Game Rolling


Last week, the Michigan running attack showed life, tallying 184 yards as running back Drake Johnson (16 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns) emerged as the top threat at running back. The offensive line also had its best game of the season.

If Michigan can pound the Northwestern defense on the ground, it will open the passing game for quarterback Devin Gardner. A revitalized running attack might be Michigan’s best chance to go bowling.

Protect Devin Gardner

Quarterback Devin Gardner can’t scramble the way he did earlier in the season because of a lingering leg injury. The offensive line needs to protect him, or he risks further injury. Michigan has a bye week after this game that will allow Gardner to heal and prepare for the final two games of the regular season. 

A mobile Gardner along with Drake Johnson running the ball and receivers Devin Funchess, Amara Darboh and Jake Butt may finally realize Doug Nussmeier’s vision for his offense. But Gardner has to survive this game first.

Attack the Northwestern Offense

The Michigan defense has been improving as its younger players gain experience, and Northwestern is coming off a 48-7 loss to Iowa. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison should unleash his players to pressure Northwestern at every opportunity. The Wildcats managed only 75 yards passing and gave up five sacks versus Iowa. Michigan should look to replicate those numbers.

Northwestern's Keys to Victory

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

No. 44 Chi Chi Ariguzo

Hassle Gardner

Opponents have figured out that pressuring Devin Gardner will lead to turnovers and maybe even a pick-six. With Gardner nursing a leg injury, his poor decision-making while passing has become even more of a factor.

Northwestern needs to pressure him on every play and look for the big turnover.


Stop the Run

Michigan got its run game going behind running back Drake Johnson and an improved performance from its offensive line. But the success came against an Indiana team that is hardly a powerhouse. Northwestern needs to stop the Wolverine running attack, or this game will get away from it.

Lock Down Special Teams

Last week, Northwestern got burned for a long kickoff return (54 yards) and surrendered 18.6 yards per punt return. The Wildcats need to contain Dennis Norfleet and make the Wolverines put together long drives. More plays equal more chances to force a turnover—something the Michigan offense has been prone to do this season.

Michigan Players to Watch

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Devin Gardner

Quarterback Devin Gardner

Fifth-year senior Devin Gardner is Michigan's best option at quarterback, but he's still still trying to recapture the form he showed last season versus Notre Dame and Ohio State. Since then, he's worked to overcome injuries but has regressed as a quarterback, which resulted in him being benched in favor of backup Shane Morris for a game. He's playing with a leg injury that hampers his ability to run the ball, which puts more pressure on his passing accuracy.

Running Back Drake Johnson

Heading into the season, the Michigan running game was supposed to be powered by Derrick Green, De'Veon Smith and transfer Ty Isaac.

Green is injured, Smith has been sporadic, and Isaac won't be eligible until next season. But last game with Michigan's bowl chances on the line, Drake Johnson (16 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns) had a career day. Johnson missed most of last season and spring practice recovering from an ACL injury but finally looks like he's back at full strength.

Wide Receiver Devin Funchess

With Gardner unable to scramble for big plays, the pressure is on Funchess to live up to the No. 1 jersey and have a big game versus Northwestern. His season totals (48 receptions for 572 yards and four touchdowns) are on track to match last season's totals, but expectations were much higher for a player who entered the season as a potential NFL first-round draft pick.

Northwestern Players to Watch

Justin Hayworth/Associated Press

No. 28 Justin Jackson

Running Back Justin Jackson

Jackson (158 carries for 726 yards and five touchdowns) will test the Michigan defense, which is ranked 16th versus the run. The Northwestern passing attack is ranked last in the Big Ten, so Jackson will need a huge game for the Wildcats to compete with Michigan.

Linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo

Ariguzo leads the Wildcats defense with 73 tackles (43 solo) and will be looking to contain the Michigan running attack. Northwestern needs to force Devin Gardner to throw the ball under pressure as much as possible.

Quarterback Trevor Siemian

Trevor Siemian was sacked five times last week versus Iowa and finished the day 8-of-18 for 68 yards. He'll need a much better performance versus a rising Michigan defense. Still, the Michigan defense has been vulnerable to the passing attack, and Siemian did have open receivers last week versus Iowa. Michigan will need to keep the pressure up to prevent him from finding open receivers this week. 

What They’re Saying

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Brady Hoke

Michigan

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke discussed his job security, via press conference:

"

I've never been concerned about a job, ever, and I never will be. Because if I get concerned about a job, then you get distracted. I threw brake drums in the assembly line for Dayton-Walther during the summer, and I was never concerned because I knew I was going to outwork everybody. ... If I get distracted, I'm not being fair to those kids, who haven't been distracted. I've never, ever worried about employment.

"

Hoke commented on last year's field goal to force overtime, via mgoblue.com:

"

That was one of the best team plays I've been associated with -- the offense having the mind-set that we have no timeouts and we've got to hustle. So [Gardner] hits [Jeremy] Gallon and he does a great job of getting up and running off the field. And the offensive linemen who aren't on the field goal unit, they get off the field. And the offensive linemen who are on the field goal unit, they get on the field. And that gave us the ability to kick the field goal for the tie.

"

Northwestern

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald shared his thoughts on Michigan, via press conference: "[Michigan] came out of their shell offensively on Saturday. Running back Drake Johnson popped out on tape. WR Devin Funchess is a matchup nightmare."

Fitzgerald commented on his team's difficult season, reported via Twitter: "Sometimes you have to embrace the suck."

Prediction

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Devin FUnchess

Michigan 31, Northwestern 17

Michigan is not a great team, but it should be able to use its newfound offensive balance to beat a struggling Northwestern squad. But with two tough opponents ahead, will it be the final victory of the season—and Brady Hoke's Michigan career?

Phil Callihan is a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations obtained firsthand

Follow @PSCallihan