Northwestern Opponent Links, Week 6: Michigan Wolverines

Now 5-0 and the No. 13 team in the country, Northwestern faces its toughest challenge yet tomorrow afternoon as the Wildcats head to Ann Arbor to play No. 18 Michigan. Both teams have stellar defenses but less-than-impressive offensive units, so it probably won't be a shootout.

Here are some last-minute notes and links on the Wildcats' next Big Ten opponent:

• 247 Sports' Michigan site has three keys for Michigan to win this game. Not surprisingly, the first one centers around stopping the Northwestern rushing attack.
• Wolverines' head coach Jim Harbaugh appeared on an Detroit radio show this week, and said that his quarterback, Jake Rudock, is practicing better now than he has all season. He also said that starting running De'Von Smith has been a practice participant but still may not play this Saturday due to injury.
• Speaking of Harbaugh, he's the second-highest paid coach in college football at just over $7 million for this season. First, of course, is Alabama's Nick Saban.
  
• An interesting article from the Detroit Free Press on Michigan redshirt freshman wide receiver Moe Ways, who has made an impact with the Wolverines as a blocker, not a pass-catcher.
• From SB Nation, a nice breakdown on why the Wolverines -- not the Wildcats -- may have the Big Ten's best defense.
• Michigan sophomore safety Jabrill Peppers was ranked by ESPN as the second-best player in the Class of 2014, behind only Leonard Fournette. But, it's on special teams -- not defense -- where Peppers is garnering some of his highest praise.
• Finally, from our friends at Maize N Brew, a thorough film analysis of Michigan's defensive beatdown of hapless Maryland last weekend.
• It's not a link, but remember Grant Perry, former Northwestern wide receiver commit who flipped to Michigan within a week of signing day? He has played as a true freshman for the Wolverines, but hasn't recorded a stat since he caught three balls for 41 yards in the opener.