Northwestern vs Minnesota head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 12, Saturday, November 21, 2026.
The Breakdown
Coin flip: Northwestern 63, Minnesota 62. Chiles' 4★ arm is the only real separation on paper.
When Northwestern has the ball: The 2.3★ receiver group draws Minnesota's 3.0★ secondary; Chiles must lean on 4★ tight end Dehnicke.
When Minnesota has the ball: A 3.4★ O-line holds a slight edge on Northwestern's 3.0★ D-line; receivers face a 3.3★ secondary.
Swing factor: Aidan Chiles, 4★ and three years in, outranks Drake Lindsey's 3★ and two. Biggest gap here.
X-factor: Northwestern makes the November road trip to Minneapolis; Minnesota's Week 12 home crowd is the only tilt.