Michigan vs Northwestern rivalry
Michigan leads the series 61-15-2 in meetings on record since 1892.
Next meeting
Michigan and Northwestern do not play each other in the 2026 regular season.
All-time series
Michigan 6178 meetings since 189215 Northwestern
Series leader: Michigan.
See the full all-time Michigan vs Northwestern head-to-head record and every meeting on record.
By decade
1890s 2 1
1900s 1 0
1910s 1 1
1920s 1 1
1930s 2 3
1940s 8 1
1950s 7 3
1960s 6 1
1970s 7 0
1980s 7 0
1990s 5 2
2000s 5 2
2010s 6 0
2020s 3 0
Series notes
Meetings played78
Series wins, Michigan61 of 78
Series wins, Northwestern15 of 78
Decided by 3 points or fewer12 of 78
Side by side, 2026 season
Michigan Northwestern
- 23.0 17th
- Points per game
- 33.0 7th
- 15.8 5th
- Points allowed
- 16.8 8th
- 315.8 17th
- Total yards per game
- 437.8 7th
- 5.4 17th
- Yards per play
- 6.9 5th
- 135.0 14th
- Rush yards per game
- 212.8 4th
- 180.8 18th
- Pass yards per game
- 225.0 14th
- 17.0 18th
- First downs per game
- 21.5 10th
- 40.7% 11th
- Third-down rate
- 41.3% 10th
- -4 16th
- Turnover margin
- +5 4th
- 5 11th
- Takeaways
- 7 7th
- 11 7th
- Sacks
- 6 15th
- 8 12th
- Sacks allowed
- 8 12th
- 66.4 13th
- Penalty yards per game
- 64.0 12th
- 28:20 17th
- Time of possession
- 31:01 10th
Season totals from CollegeFootballData. Small figure: rank within the Big Ten; the better side is highlighted.
Recent meetings
Results are read from official box scores and republished after every meeting.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the record in Michigan vs Northwestern?
Michigan leads the series 61-15-2 in meetings on record since 1892. That is Michigan 61, Northwestern 15 across 78 meetings on record.
When do Michigan and Northwestern play next?
Michigan and Northwestern do not play each other in the 2026 regular season.