By Ralph Lauro, College Football Staff Writer

GAME NOTES: A couple of schools trying to continue their recent success collide at Ryan Field this Saturday, as the 25th-ranked Michigan Wolverines take on the 21st-ranked Northwestern Wildcats in a key Big Ten showdown from Evanston. The Wolverines enter the contest on a high note, as they knocked off Iowa 23-20 in overtime last weekend, snapping the Hawkeyes' 22-game home winning streak in the process. It was the second win in a row and the third in the past four games by Michigan, which improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The win also returned the Wolverines to the top 25 of the AP poll for the first time since the October 2nd listings. Michigan, which started the season ranked in the top five, was not ranked in the September 25 national poll after losing a few games, snapping a streak of 114 consecutive weeks ranked in the AP poll by the Wolverines. Speaking or rankings, the Wildcats earned the 21st spot following a convincing 49-14 victory over than nationally-ranked Michigan State last weekend. The 35-point margin of victory was the team's largest since a 44-7 road win against Duke on September 22, 2001. The win was also the third in a row by Northwestern, which now stands at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in league play. The last time a Wildcat team was ranked in the top 25 was in October of the 2001 season. Saturday's game will be the 66th meeting between Michigan and Northwestern. The Wolverines own a 49-14-2 advantage in the all-time series and have won seven of the last 10 meetings with the Wildcats, including a 42-20 beating a year ago.

The Wolverines' offense has been nothing spectacular this season, but it has been rather effective the last several weeks. Overall, the team is gaining a solid 163.5 ypg on the ground and another 224.5 ypg through the air which has led to a scoring average of a respectable 27.8 ppg. The offense has also done a good job in protecting the ball and has committed just 10 turnovers in eight contests. In the team's three-point overtime win over Iowa last weekend, the Wolverines committed two turnovers, but were able to compensate for them by throwing for 220 yards. The team rushed for another 122 yards with Kevin Grady's 62 yards on 18 carries leading the way. Grady may have paced the team last weekend but it is Mike Hart who has carried the load this season. Hart, who rushed for just 17 yards on five carries last weekend, leads the team with 573 yards and four scores this season. While Hart has found some success battling through injuries, the Wolverines' offense revolves around play caller Chad Henne. The sophomore QB has had a solid campaign thus far and has completed 57.4 percent of his pass attempts for 1,685 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. Henne put together another solid game last weekend, as he threw for 207 yards and a pair of scores on 14-of-21 pass attempts. His main target was Jason Avant, who pulled in seven balls for 105 yards and one touchdown. Avant however, was injured in the game and is listed as questionable for Saturday's game with an ankle injury. His loss would be devastating for the Wolverines, as he leads them with 60 catches, 767 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Clearly, he is one of the top players in the Big Ten at his position.

On the defensive side of the ball, Michigan has had its share of problems this season, but still has done a respectable job in limiting foes to 19.5 ppg and 347.6 total ypg. The unit has done a nice job against the pass (194.2 ypg), but could use some work against the run (153.4 ypg). Still, the defense has been able to create turnovers (15), in addition to getting to opposing quarterbacks (15 sacks). Last weekend, the Wolverines created one turnover and forced two sacks, which helped them overcome the 427 total yards racked up by Iowa. The defense, which held Iowa to just a field goal in overtime before winning the game with a touchdown run, allowed the Hawkeyes to convert only 5- of-16 third down attempts. Grant Mason led the way with 12 stops, giving him a team-high 69 for the year. Another Wolverine that has played a big part for the defense is LaMarr Woodley, who ranks first in sacks (five) and TFLs (14).

The Wildcats have been nothing short of spectacular on the offensive side of things this season and rank as one of the top units in the nation by averaging 37.1 ppg behind an impressive 529.3 total ypg. The unit has used a balanced attack between the run (213.9 ypg) and pass (315.3 ypg), with 19 touchdowns coming on the ground and 13 through the air. In last weekend's 49-14 win over Michigan State, the Wildcats racked up 202 yards on the ground and 331 yards through the air, as they went over the 500 total yards mark for the seventh time this season. Brett Basanez led the way, as he posted four total touchdowns (two rushing), while throwing 331 yards on 24-of-30 pass attempts. It was the third consecutive 300-yard passing effort by Basanez, who is starting to emerge as a premier QB in the Big Ten. On the year, Basanez has completed 67.5 percent of his tosses for 2,181 yards with 12 touchdowns against just one interception. He is also dangerous with his legs, ranking second on the team with 268 rushing yards and five scores. Heading the ground game is Tyrell Sutton, who fell just 30 yards short of becoming only the fourth freshman in NCAA history to reach 1,000 rushing yards in seven games. Still, Sutton has been a pleasant surprise for the Wildcats and leads the team with 15 total touchdowns (14 rushing), while ranking third in receptions with 21. Last weekend, Sutton went for 109 yards and a pair of scores on 21 carries.

While the offense has been sensational, the defense has been anything but for the Wildcats, as they are giving up a whopping 32.6 ppg behind 504.4 total ypg. Northwestern, which is allowing 188.9 ypg on the ground and an even worse 315.6 total ypg through the air, is the only Division I-A team with a winning record that is allowing over 500.0 total ypg. On a positive note, the Wildcats have been able to come up with some big plays and have a Big Ten best 20 turnovers to their credit, including 12 interceptions. Last weekend, the Wildcats surrendered 480 total yards to Michigan State, but more than made up for it by forcing four turnovers (three interceptions). One of those turnovers was returned for a touchdown, as Demetrius Eaton took a fumble 86 yards to pay-dirt. Tim McGarigle added nine stops in the win, while Herschel Henderson picked off a pair of passes. McGarigle has been by far and away the team's best defender this season, as his 88 stops are more than double the next closest player on the roster. He also leads the team in TFLs (6.5), sacks (two) and fumble recoveries (two).

This is a big game for both clubs, as a loss would be detrimental to each teams chances of winning the Big Ten. Michigan was expected to be a contender, but it has been the Wildcats who have taken over that role. It should be quite a game, but Northwestern has shown that it can overcome poor defense with an unstoppable offense and that should play true this Saturday.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Northwestern 40, Michigan 35