Minnesota at Northwestern - 2025 Matchup Preview

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Northwestern Wildcats

Saturday, November 22nd 2025 (12:00 PM EST)
Northwestern -4.0 (41.0) (-185) Open: -5.5 | 40.5
Northwestern 38 - Minnesota: 35 (Big Ten)

Golden Gophers (8 - 5) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach P. J. Fleck (57 - 39)
Avg Score : 23 - 23 (8 - 38 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.5 - 5.5 (#61)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)

MINN 2nd straight Road Game
NW 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Northwestern -2.5 (SP+ NW -4)
Projected Score: MINN: 20 - NW: 23 (43)
NW Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
MINN Travel: 899 miles

Wildcats (7 - 6) (8 - 4 - 1)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (27 - 12 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.7 - 6.3 (#71)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
MINN Players
NW Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Minnesota's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Thu 8/28	Minnesota vs Buffalo	-16.5	45.5	W 23 - 10	U	N
Sat 9/6	Minnesota vs Northwestern State	-43.0	50.5	W 66 - 0	O	Y
Sat 9/13	Minnesota at California	-3.0	41.5	L 14 - 27	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27	Minnesota vs Rutgers	-3.5	51.5	W 31 - 28	O	N
Sat 10/4	Minnesota at Ohio State	+23.5	42.5	L 3 - 42	O	N
Sat 10/11	Minnesota vs Purdue	-7.5	49.5	W 27 - 20	U	N
Fri 10/17	Minnesota vs Nebraska	+7.0	47.5	W 24 - 6	U	Y
Sat 10/25	Minnesota at Iowa	+7.5	39.5	L 3 - 41	O	N
Sat 11/1	Minnesota vs Michigan State	-4.5	44.5	W 23 - 20	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Fri 11/14	Minnesota at Oregon	+26.5	45.5	L 13 - 42	O	N
Sat 11/22	Minnesota vs Northwestern	+4.0	41.0	L 35 - 38	O	Y
Sat 11/29	Minnesota vs Wisconsin	+2.5	38.5	W 17 - 7	U	Y
Fri 12/26	Minnesota vs New Mexico	-1.5	44.5	W 20 - 17	U	Y

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 3, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 2, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 3, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Minnesota's Schedule

Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/30	Northwestern at Tulane	+6.5	47.5	L 3 - 23	U	N
Fri 9/5	Northwestern vs Western Illinois	-30.5	48.5	W 42 - 7	O	Y
Sat 9/13	Northwestern vs Oregon	+25.5	50.5	L 14 - 34	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27	Northwestern vs UCLA	-6.0	45.5	W 17 - 14	U	N
Sat 10/4	Northwestern vs UL Monroe	-12.5	43.5	W 42 - 7	O	Y
Sat 10/11	Northwestern at Penn State	+20.5	46.5	W 22 - 21	U	Y
Sat 10/18	Northwestern vs Purdue	-3.0	47.5	W 19 - 0	U	Y
Sat 10/25	Northwestern at Nebraska	+7.5	44.5	L 21 - 28	O	Y
	BYE WEEK
Fri 11/7	Northwestern at USC	+14.5	54.5	L 17 - 38	O	N
Sat 11/15	Northwestern vs Michigan	+10.0	41.5	L 22 - 24	O	Y
Sat 11/22	Northwestern vs Minnesota	-4.0	41.0	W 38 - 35	O	N
Sat 11/29	Northwestern at Illinois	+7.0	44.5	L 13 - 20	U	Y
Fri 12/26	Northwestern vs Central Michigan	-13.5	43.5	W 34 - 7	U	Y

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 3, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 3, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
MINN	#64 (.2)	45% (39)	23	44% (65)	2.7 (119)	103	46% (29)	204	4.38 (27)	#16 (.08)	39% (35)	22.9	36% (8)	42% (80)	3.32 (23)	35.6	0.8	1.5
NW	#129 (.02)	37% (123)	23.4	39% (113)	2.63 (124)	99	36% (116)	186	3.02 (127)	#57 (.15)	45% (106)	19.8	44% (80)	46% (117)	3.74 (64)	38.8	1.5	1.3

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
MINN		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
NW		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2024

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
MINN Offense	13	23	8.3	44.9%	4.38	0.8	19	307	103	204	3.7	44%	56%	44%	46%	16%	.2
NW Defense	12	19.8	12.4	45%	3.74	1.3	-	-	-	-	-	47%	53%	44%	46%	15%	.15

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
MINN Defense	13	22.9	38	38.9%	3.32	1.5	-	-	-	-	-	50%	50%	36%	42%	19%	.08
NW Offense	12	23.4	26.8	37.1%	3.02	1.5	16	285	99	186	3.4	45%	54%	39%	36%	19%	.02

Additional Stats 2024

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Minnesota	13	29:13	18.5	45%	90%	4.5	35.6	0.8	1.5	4.4	1.8	2	28.6
Northwestern	12	29:49	16	33%	50%	4.8	38.8	1.5	1.3	4.8	1.9	3	28

Run Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
MINN Offense	13	44% (111)	44% (65)	28.2	102.9	3.7	17 (84)	.11 (80)	2.7 (119)	73% (69)	10% (80)	0.88 (113)
NW Defense	12	47% (26)	44% (80)	-	-	-	-	.07 (42)	2.99 (63)	69% (47)	8% (107)	0.86 (15)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
MINN Defense	13	50% (63)	36% (8)	-	-	-	-	.02 (19)	2.71 (22)	74% (69)	9% (90)	0.95 (50)
NW Offense	12	45% (106)	39% (113)	29.3	98.6	3.4	12 (114)	.07 (102)	2.63 (124)	66% (112)	11% (98)	1.1 (20)

Pass Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
MINN Offense	13	56% (25)	46% (29)	19.5	29.2	204.1	7	10.5	18 (68)	5 (6)	.27 (58)	1.4 (129)	30% (46)	31% (80)	.32 (76)	6% (70)	2 (75)
NW Defense	12	53% (110)	46% (117)	-	-	-	-	-	-	10 (66)	.25 (77)	1.4 (13)	27% (128)	35% (116)	.28 (55)	7% (33)	1.8 (24)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
MINN Defense	13	50% (71)	42% (80)	-	-	-	-	-	-	16 (10)	.15 (27)	1.3 (6)	33% (43)	26% (16)	.15 (10)	10% (1)	1.8 (20)
NW Offense	12	54% (31)	36% (116)	17.6	32.7	186.1	5.7	10.6	7 (130)	11 (72)	.02 (132)	1.3 (134)	35% (119)	31% (79)	.2 (109)	8% (121)	1.8 (119)

Minnesota's Power Ratings
Minnesota's Power Rating: 0.96 #65
Minnesota's Offense Rating: 14.08 #62
Minnesota's Defense Rating: 13.12 #64
2025 Talent Rating: 928.00 #19
Blue Chip Ratio: 8% #44
Minnesota's 2025 Expected Record: 7.5 - 5.5
Minnesota's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.5 #70
Minnesota's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.8 #94
Minnesota's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.8 #33

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Minnesota: 0.96 Northwestern: 3.915

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Minnesota: 1.5 Northwestern: 5.8

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 3.915 #56
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 12.77 #70
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 10.74 #50
2025 Talent Rating: 840.00 #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 3 #65
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 6.7 - 6.3
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.8 #51
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4 #90
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0 #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Minnesota Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense on Road: 8.3
Defense: 22.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 38

Minnesota's 2025 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record on Road: 0 - 4
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 0 - 3 - 0

Projected Score
Northwestern 23
Minnesota 20

Projected Total Points: 43

Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.8
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 12.4

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record at home: 4 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	11/22	Northwestern	38	Minnesota	35	Northwestern -4.0	Minnesota	41.0	Over
2023	09/23	Northwestern	37	Minnesota	34	Minnesota -11.5	Northwestern	39.5	Over
2022	11/12	Minnesota	31	Northwestern	3	Minnesota -17	Minnesota	40.5	Under
2021	10/30	Northwestern	14	Minnesota	41	Minnesota -7.5	Minnesota	43.5	Over
2019	11/23	Northwestern	22	Minnesota	38	Minnesota -15.5	Minnesota	41.0	Over
2018	11/17	Minnesota	14	Northwestern	24	Minnesota -3	Northwestern	48.5	Under
2017	11/18	Northwestern	39	Minnesota	0	Northwestern -7	Northwestern	40.5	Under
2016	11/19	Minnesota	29	Northwestern	12	Minnesota -2	Minnesota	46.0	Under
2015	10/03	Northwestern	27	Minnesota	0	Northwestern -6.5	Northwestern	40.5	Under
2014	10/11	Minnesota	24	Northwestern	17	Minnesota -3.5	Minnesota	45.0	Under
2013	10/19	Northwestern	17	Minnesota	20	Northwestern -13	Minnesota	0
2012	10/13	Minnesota	13	Northwestern	21
2011	11/19	Northwestern	28	Minnesota	13
2010	10/02	Minnesota	28	Northwestern	29
2009	09/26	Northwestern	24	Minnesota	35
2008	11/01	Minnesota	17	Northwestern	24
2007	10/13	Northwestern	49	Minnesota	48
2004	09/25	Minnesota	43	Northwestern	17
2003	10/04	Northwestern	17	Minnesota	42
2002	10/10	Minnesota	45	Northwestern	42
2001	10/13	Northwestern	23	Minnesota	17
2000	10/27	Minnesota	35	Northwestern	41

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Northwestern	12	4	4 Overs
Minnesota	10	7	6 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	12 - 10	6 - 5	5 - 3	1 - 2
Road Teams	10 - 12	5 - 6	2 - 1	3 - 5

(#65) MINN at (#56) NW

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	MINN	NW
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#65	#56
SP+SP+	#70	#51
Perf GradeGrade	#60	#44
OffenseOff	#53	#31
DefenseDef	#89	#73
Spec TeamsST	#1	#97
TalentTal	#19	#41
Blue ChipsBC%	#44	#65

Minnesota Notes(11/30) CB J Nestor was incredible vs Iowa, Does he return?
(11/22) This program is awful on road. Study why
(11/16) Gophers historically bad road season, L2 at home
(11/2) Outgained & outplayed by Mich St, Def torched
(10/27) Off horrific vs Iowa, 133 yds, 24 rushing, 3 TOs.
(10/18) Def dominated Neb w/ 9 sacks, held to 213 yds
(10/18) RB D Taylor breakout game, 148 yds, 6.2 ypc
(9/14) Rush Off disappointing, Red Zone issues hurt
(9/13) RB1 D Taylor doubtful for Cal (leg inj)
(8/29) QB Lindsey, RB Taylor as good as advertised
(5/26) Portal DE J Howard (LSU) a pot. gamewrecker
(5/23) Safeties Perich & Brown a top duo in CFB
Minnesota Injury Report

Northwestern Notes(11/22) Braun gets NW back to bowl. Great job & rebound
(11/16) Lost 3 straight but competitive in most. Improving
(10/19) Have now won 4 straight, 3 in B1G play. Improving
(10/19) Def shut out Purdue, Run Off great, Run Def good
(10/19) QB Stone has been JAG- though, must game control
(9/14) Good fight w/ Ducks but Off has zero expl
(9/9) Top RB Cam Porter out for the season, ouch
(8/30) Stone 4 Int vs Tulane, Run Off & Run Def awful
(7/23) QB is Stone (SMU), no depth, Lausch retired
(5/21) Can WR Wilde (FCS SDSU) bring hope?
(5/21) DL is light, but has exp and some pass rush
(5/21) CBs exp'd but avg, Safeties are good though
Northwestern Injury Report

Minnesota on Offense

Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat	MINN Off	NW Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#53	#73
SuccessSuc	#39	#106
ExplosiveExp	#122	#16
PPAPPA	#64	#57
PowerPwr	#62	#50
SP+SP+	#94	#30
Pts POPPO	#27	#64
HavocHav	#71	#77

Minnesota Run Game

Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat	MINN Off	NW Def
Run GameRun	#66	#94
Run SuccessRSuc	#65	#80
Run ExplRExp	#113	#15
PPAExp	#80	#42
Run BlockR Blk	#41	-
OL YdsOLY	#119	#63
Stuff RateStuff	#91	#40
TackleTak	-	#100

Minnesota Pass Game

Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat	MINN Off	NW Def
Pass GamePass	#57	#83
Pass SuccessPSuc	#29	#117
Pass ExplPExl	#129	#13
PPAExp	#58	#77
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#54	#39
F7 HavocF7	#80	#107
DB HavocDB	#70	#33

Northwestern on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat	NW Off	MINN Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#31	#89
SuccessSuc	#123	#35
ExplosiveExp	#101	#19
PPAPPA	#129	#16
PowerPwr	#70	#64
SP+SP+	#90	#33
Pts POPPO	#127	#23
HavocHav	#118	#18

Northwestern Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat	NW Off	MINN Def
Run GameRun	#53	#82
Run SuccessRSuc	#113	#8
Run ExplRExp	#20	#50
PPAExp	#102	#19
Run BlockR Blk	#15	-
OL YdsOLY	#124	#22
Stuff RateStuff	#129	#73
TackleTak	-	#86

Northwestern Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat	NW Off	MINN Def
Pass GamePass	#67	#95
Pass SuccessPSuc	#116	#80
Pass ExplPExl	#134	#6
PPAExp	#132	#27
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#10	#93
F7 HavocF7	#98	#90
DB HavocDB	#121	#1

Program Comparison
NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'25 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

MINN 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Down to Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Wrigley Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Rematch from Week 13
Northwestern -4.0 (41.0)
Northwestern won vs Minnesota this year (38-35)

Previous Matchups
Northwestern beat Minnesota last year (38-35)
Northwestern beat Minnesota in 2023 (37-34)

MINN's OC Greg Harbaugh Jr. (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Drake Lindsey	246	389	63%	2382	18	6	6.1
Max Shikenjanski	4	5	80%	80	1	0	16.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Darius Taylor	143	670	4	4.7	71
Fame Ijeboi	97	441	2	4.5	49
Grant Washington	21	132	0	6.3	16
Cameron Davis (Tr)	35	111	2	3.2	14

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Lemeke Brockington	46	484	4	10.5	24
Javon Tracy (Tr)	37	454	6	12.3	45
Jalen Smith	28	419	4	15.0	78
Darius Taylor	34	245	0	7.2	40

View Minnesota's Full Roster

MINN's DC Danny Collins (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Maverick Baranowski	102	9	3	3	1
Devon Williams	89	9	3	1	1
Koi Perich	82	3	1	0	2
Kerry Brown	56	4	0	0	3

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Anthony Smith	38	18	13	7	3
Karter Menz	32	9	7	4	2
Jaxon Howard	29	6	4	1	0
Maverick Baranowski	102	9	3	3	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
John Nestor (Tr)	50	6	0	0	6
Kerry Brown	56	4	0	0	3
Anthony Smith	38	18	13	7	3

NW's OC Zach Lujan (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Preston Stone (Tr)	222	370	60%	2400	17	12	6.5
Ryan Boe	2	7	29%	17	0	1	2.4

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Caleb Komolafe	190	941	11	5.0	56
Joseph Himon II	99	486	1	4.9	37
Dashun Reeder	22	222	1	10.1	79
Robby Preckel	42	149	0	3.5	14

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Griffin Wilde (Tr)	71	880	8	12.4	49
Hayden Eligon Ii	37	521	3	14.1	38
Hunter Welcing	28	296	2	10.6	36
Ricky Ahumaraeze	10	200	0	20.0	35

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Robert Fitzgerald	106	6	0	1	4
Mac Uihlein	89	4	0	0	0
Braydon Brus	81	5	3	4	4
Braden Turner	52	2	0	1	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Aidan Hubbard	26	10	8	5	0
Michael Kilbane	42	8	4	8	1
Anto Saka	13	4	3	2	0
Braydon Brus	81	5	3	4	4

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Josh Fussell	29	1	9
Fred Davis II (Tr)	22	1	6
Ore Adeyi	20	1	5