Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia grades Michigan football quarterback Bryce Underwood against Northwestern on Saturday in Chicago.

Freshmen Andrew Marsh and Bryce Underwood had career games to help Michigan avoid an upset loss to Northwestern at Wrigley Field.

Bryce Underwood is a night owl known for staying in the football facility late, but the freshman quarterback got the week going early with a Monday morning check-in. At 7-2, Michigan is coming off its second bye with everything to play for.

QB Bryce Underwood says needs to work on mistakes, talks connection with Andrew Marsh

Michigan's reliance on the running game and defense in addition to turnovers isn't sustainable, and it needs to be more accountable.

CHICAGO -- Michigan’s football team beat Northwestern 24-22 with a walk-off field-goal on Saturday at Wrigley Field. The 18th-ranked Wolverines (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) had four turnovers in the second half but survived a scare from the Wildcats (5-5, 3-4).

Are the Wolverines 7-2 because of their freshman quarterback, or in spite of him? The answer, it seems, is a little of both.

Dominic Zvada kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired, Jordan Marshall ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns before exiting with an injury and No. 18 Michigan stayed in the playoff chase by beating Northwestern 24-22 at Wrigley Field.

It appeared Michigan was going to coast to a victory in Wrigley Field on Saturday after the Wolverines took a 21-9 lead. But it was the opposite. Dominic Zvada

Live updates, score and highlights from No. 18 Michigan's Big Ten football game against Northwestern at Wrigley Field