FACTS & STATS: Site: Michigan Stadium (107,501) -- Ann Arbor, Michigan. Television:ESPN2. Home Record: Northwestern 4-2, Michigan 2-4. Away Record: Northwestern 3-1, Michigan 1-3. Neutral Record: Northwestern 0-0, Michigan 0-0. Conference Record: Northwestern 3-3, Michigan 2-4. Series Record: Michigan leads, 52-14-2.

GAME NOTES: The Michigan Wolverines will try to close out their home slate on a winning note this weekend, as they host the Northwestern Wildcats in a Big Ten tussle in Ann Arbor. Already guaranteed its first losing season since 1967, Michigan marched into Minneapolis and stunned Minnesota 29-6 last weekend. The victory put a stop to a five-game slide and improved the team to 3-7 overall and 2-4 within the conference. The Wolverines now return home for the final time and they will look to stop a three-game slide at Michigan Stadium. As for Northwestern, it is coming off its worst performance of the season, a 45-10 beating at the hands of nationally-ranked Ohio State last weekend. It was the third loss in the past five outings for the Wildcats, who are still bowl eligible with a 7-3 overall mark. The team has been especially tough on the road this season, posting three wins against just one loss. Northwestern, however, has dropped five straight meetings against Michigan, which owns a commanding 52-14-2 lead in the head-to-head series.

The Wildcats have done well to rush for 160.3 ypg and pass for 208.5 ypg, but they have set themselves back at times with turnovers, committing 24 on the year. Last weekend, Northwestern turned the ball over three times and managed just 294 total yards in a 45-10 loss to Ohio State. Mike Kafka made his second straight start with C.J. Bacher still nursing a hamstring injury and he threw for 177 yards and an interception, while rushing for a team-high 83 yards and a score on 29 carries. It was a solid effort, but not nearly as spectacular as his prior start, when Kafka set a Big Ten quarterback record with 217 yards rushing in a win over Minnesota. Bacher, who has thrown for 1,700 yards and rushed for 244 more this season, is listed as questionable for this game and that could mean another start for Kafka. Having Kafka and his running ability in the lineup could actually be a blessing for Northwestern considering leading rusher Tyrell Sutton (776 yards) is out indefinitely following wrist surgery. Backup tailback Omar Conteh is also nursing a knee injury and he was also unable to go last weekend. By default, Stephen Simmons made his first career start last weekend, but was limited to just 34 yards on 14 carries.

Northwestern has done a decent job on the defensive side of things, giving up just 20.8 ppg and 351.7 total ypg. The unit, which is allowing just 122.8 rushing ypg, has also made some big plays and has forced 19 turnovers to go with 27 sacks. Last weekend, however, the Wildcats were abused by Ohio State for 441 total yards, including 244 on the ground. The defense failed to come up with a single takeaway and finished with just one sack. Brad Phillips guided the team in defeat with 12 stops, while Corey Wootton accounted for the lone sack. On the season, Phillips tops the roster with 85 tackles and Wootton has provided a steady pass rush with team highs of 7.5 sacks and 13.5 TFLs.

The Wolverines have shown some signs of progress on offense over the last few weeks, but overall they are still producing just 22.2 ppg behind 302.7 total ypg. The biggest problem for Michigan has been its inability to avoid mistakes, committing 26 turnovers on the year. It was a different story last weekend, however, as the Wolverines turned the ball over just once, while rushing for 232 yards and passing for 203 more in a win over Minnesota. Freshman running back Michael Shaw paced the ground attack with 71 yards on eight carries, while Brandon Minor had 43 yards on 14 totes. On the season, Sam McGuffie heads the team with 486 rushing yards and Minor is next with 466 yards, to go with a team-best eight touchdowns. Quarterback Steven Threet missed last game with a concussion, so Nick Sheridan stepped in and threw for 203 yards and a score on 18-of-30 tosses. It was the first start since the season-opener for Sheridan, who could end up enter center once again with Threet being listed as questionable for this weekend. Martavious Odoms and Greg Mathews are the club's primary options in the passing game and they have combined for 73 catches and 761 yards. Last weekend, Odoms made seven receptions for 43 yards, while Mathews finished with six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Michigan's defense has been exploited at times this season and is allowing 28.4 ppg and 373.0 total ypg. The unit has given up 17 touchdowns on the ground and hasn't fared that much better versus the pass, allowing 237.8 ypg and 14 scores through the air. The Wolverines though, are coming off one of their best efforts of the season, as they held Minnesota to just 188 total yards and a pair of field goals. Michigan allowed only eight first downs in the contest and even recorded four sacks. Obi Ezeh led the way with seven stops and a sack, while Tim Jamison had six tackles, a forced fumble and a sack of his own. Brandon Graham even got involved with a sack. On the year, Ezeh heads the squad in tackles with 86, while Graham is among the top pass rushers around, posting nine sacks and 15.5 TFLs.

The Wildcats are pretty beat up on the offensive side of the ball and that should give Michigan a fighting chance this weekend. As a matter of fact, go with the Wolverines, as they have been playing well of late and have the advantage of hosting this game.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan 28, Northwestern 24

Saturday, November 15th, 12:00 p.m. (et)