No surprises this year, just ask Michigan defensive end Glenn Steele.
"Northwestern is a great team," Steele said. "They know what it takes to win big games. I'm sure it's going to come down to the final seconds."
The Wolverines won't admit to taking the Wildcats lightly last season. Michigan will point to its four turnovers, including a late interception thrown by Brian Griese that sealed the game.
Those mistakes led to Northwestern's 19-13 upset in Michigan Stadium, but there's a good chance that, even after beating Notre Dame, the Wildcats took the Wolverines a bit by surprise.
As a result, the No. 6 Wolverines (1-0 Big Ten, 4-0 overall) know exactly what to expect when they step on the field at Dyche Stadium tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.
Michigan is saying all the right things about Northwestern (1-0, 3-1), and in particular, its star theater major and tailback Darnell Autry.
"Darnell is a powerful back," Steele said. "He's experienced ,and he knows how to get yards."
Actually, he knows how to get a lot of yards.
Autry rushed for 1,785 yards last season. His 103 yards against Michigan made him one of only five backs to run past the century mark against the Wolverines last season.
Autry has already run up 573 yards this year, but more impressive is the fact that he hasn't been held under 100 yards in 17 straight games.
"That is a tribute to his toughness, his ability and his desire," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said.
But things aren't completely rosy on offense. Quarterback Steve Schnur has already thrown as many interceptions as he did all last season.
However, the Wildcats are gaining nearly half a yard more per play, and they're gaining 60 more yards per contest.
According to Carr, Northwestern has opened its offense up more this season than last, and that is behind the added turnovers, not Schnur.
Steele knows the Michigan defense will be facing a good quarterback tomorrow.
"He's very mobile and he moves around a lot," Steele said. "For us to be successful we're going to have to keep him in the pocket."
Success has been the name of the game for the Michigan defense.
Last week, the Wolverines held UCLA to just two first downs in the second half and only 170 yards of total offense on the day.
And with the offense emerging as it did against the Bruins, Gary Barnett sounds a little like Lou Holtz when it comes to talking about Michigan.
"They're offense reminds me of the way ours played (last year)," Barnett said. "Everyone is trying to make the team, do the job. There are no egos."
Barnett added: "They're working the ball so well right now, we just hope we can make them punt."
Of course everyone remembers what happened to Northwestern after it left Michigan Stadium with the win last season.
The Wildcats went on to an undefeated Big Ten season and a trip to the Rose Bowl. They became media darlings and the feel-good story of 1995.
Carr agreed that the Wildcats were a great story, as long as you didn't coach against them. In that case, it wasn't very enjoyable to watch.
"I wish I could tell you yes," Carr said, "but my own feelings are too closely related to our team and our season."
A season which ended with four losses, including the one against the Wildcats.
Michigan doesn't want that to happen again, but don't be surprised if the game is close.
The Wolverines won't be.
Clarence Williams was tackled here, but he scored a touchdown last week against UCLA. Will Michigan get tackled tomorrow at Northwestern? The Wolverines lost to the Wildcats, 19-16, last year at Michigan Stadium.