2021 Week 2 Game Thread: Michigan Wolverines vs. Northern Illinois Huskies

It is another absolutely perfect day for football in Ann Arbor, as the Michigan Wolverines look to start the season 3-0 as they take on the visiting Northern Illinois Huskies.

Rocky Lombardi, who transferred from MSU to NIU, returns to the Big House one final time and hopes to replicate his performance at Michigan Stadium from last season as a member of the Spartans. But Aidan Hutchinson and the new-look Wolverine defense will attempt to prevent that from happening.

Meanwhile, Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins lead the Wolverine offense against one of the worst rushing defenses in the country — ranking No. 121 out of 130. They give up 231 yards per game on the ground, so this may be another game where the running backs feast.

Game Info

Teams: Northern Illinois (1-1) at No. 25 Michigan (2-0)

Date: Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021

Location: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Kickoff: Noon

Television: Big Ten Network

Radio: Michigan/IMG Sports Network (to listen online, click here)

Spread: Michigan -27.5; O/U: 54

Today’s question: Will Michigan be able to incorporate more of a passing attack this weekend? After passing for just 44 yards a week ago, the Wolverines must be able to put something together through the air to mix it up. As good as the run game has been, you can’t run it 20+ times every week with the same running backs. Michigan will need them throughout the remainder of the season, so I would like to see more of a vertical passing game this weekend with Cade McNamara throwing it to the likes of Roman Wilson, A.J. Henning and Cornelius Johnson.