The Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-4 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) face the Northwestern Wildcats (5-5 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) in a crucial Week 13 matchup on Saturday, November 22, 2025. This Big Ten rivalry contest will take place at the historic Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, with kickoff set for 12:00 p.m. EST (11:00 a.m. CT) and broadcast on the Big Ten Network (BTN). .
Game Context: Bowl Eligibility and Big Ten Standing
This late-season clash holds high stakes for both teams. The Golden Gophers are already bowl-eligible at six wins, but are fighting for a better bowl bid and a chance to finish the regular season strong ahead of their rivalry game against Wisconsin. The Wildcats, sitting at five wins, need a victory to secure bowl eligibility for the 2025 season. A win would make head coach David Braun the first in Northwestern history to reach a bowl game in two of his first three seasons.
More Information
The game is part of a series of college football games played at the Chicago Cubs’ home ballpark, making for a unique atmosphere. Historically, the Gophers lead the all-time series 56-37-5, but this contest is expected to be closely fought.
Team Previews and Key Matchups
Northwestern Wildcats: Defense and the Run Game
Northwestern’s defense has been a strength, ranking 22nd nationally in defensive points per game (19.6). They’ve recently been a force in creating turnovers, forcing 13 in their last five games. Linebacker Robert Fitzgerald has been a standout, leading the Big Ten in solo tackles and anchoring a defense that will look to stifle Minnesota’s offense.
Offensively, the Wildcats rely heavily on the ground game, with running back Caleb Komolafe racking up 757 yards and nine touchdowns this season. For Northwestern, a fast start and establishing their run game will be critical, especially since the Gophers’ run defense has shown some recent vulnerabilities.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: Defensive Disruptor and Quarterback Play
The Gophers enter the game looking to rebound from a tough road loss to Oregon. Their defense is headlined by defensive lineman Anthony Smith, who leads the Big Ten in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (12.5), making him a major disruptor up front.
On offense, the Gophers need a spark from quarterback Drake Lindsey, who’s thrown for over 1,800 yards but has seen his production dip in recent weeks. The success of running back Darius Taylor in the rushing attack—a traditional staple of the Gophers’ offense—will be a key factor, as the team needs to fix a run game that’s dropped to 124th in FBS in yards per game.
Prediction
With the unique venue of Wrigley Field adding to the atmosphere, the game promises a competitive Big Ten slugfest. Given Northwestern’s stout defense and need for a bowl-clinching win, plus the venue’s recent history of close games, the Wildcats are a slight betting favorite. This game will likely come down to which team can control the line of scrimmage and force the fewest turnovers.
Prediction: Northwestern 25, Minnesota 17.
Would you like to know more about the history of college football at Wrigley Field or the key stats for the Gophers’ and Wildcats’ star players?