Venue & Event Details
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL (special venue game)
Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
Broadcast: BTN
Note: This is a neutral-site showcase game, adding extra spotlight to the Big Ten matchup.
Weather Forecast
Temperature: 47°F at kickoff, dropping into low 40s by evening
Conditions: Cloudy with light winds (8–12 mph)
Impact: Cooler conditions favor run-heavy offenses; wind may slightly affect passing accuracy
Injury Report
Minnesota Golden Gophers:
QB Drake Lindsey (healthy, 1,881 yards, 11 TDs, 6 INTs, 61.9% completion)
RB Darius Taylor (healthy, 411 yards, 1 TD)
WR Lemeke Brockington (healthy, 417 yards, 3 TDs)
Northwestern Wildcats:
QB Preston Stone (healthy, 1,706 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs, 58.2% completion)
RB Caleb Komolafe (healthy, 757 yards, 9 TDs)
WR Griffin Wilde (healthy, 644 yards, 5 TDs)
Key Player Matchups
Drake Lindsey (Minn QB) vs Northwestern Secondary: Lindsey’s efficiency against a defense ranked 32nd nationally in pass defense (191.0 YPG allowed).
Caleb Komolafe (NW RB) vs Minnesota Front Seven: Komolafe’s 9 TDs against a defense ranked 27th nationally in rush defense (115.2 YPG allowed).
Griffin Wilde (NW WR) vs Minnesota CBs: Wilde’s big-play ability against a secondary that has allowed 216.2 passing YPG (64th nationally).
Recent Team Forms
Minnesota: Lost 42–13 vs Oregon (Nov. 14); Lindsey threw for 138 yards, 1 TD.
Northwestern: Lost 24–22 vs Michigan (Nov. 15); Stone threw for 184 yards, Komolafe scored 1 TD.
Series History
All-time: Minnesota leads 56–35–5.
Recent: Minnesota won 35–24 in 2024.
Trend: Minnesota has won 3 of last 4 meetings.
Betting Trends:
Minnesota is 0–4 on the road this season.
Northwestern is 4–2 at home (including neutral-site designation).
Minnesota ranks 4th nationally in sacks (33).
Northwestern ranks 23rd in red-zone offense (91.4% scoring rate).
Historical Betting Results
Minnesota has failed to cover in 3 of last 4 road games.
Northwestern has covered in 2 of last 5 games.
Unders have hit in 3 of last 5 head-to-head matchups.
Prediction: Northwestern 23 – Minnesota 17
Game Odds
Minnesota Golden Gophers 40.5
Northwestern Wildcats – 4
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 21, 2025
