The Northwestern Wildcat football program has been something of an enigma over the past decade or so, with teams that have sometimes been ultra-competitive and world beaters and then ones that look like they have no idea even how to spell football. (Attention Northwestern fans and alum: I understand that you have to be very intelligent to get into the university and probably all of the football players know how to spell football in 10 different languages, it is merely a joke, ok?). So, this begs the question—which team will show up this year?

Northwestern actually was a pleasant surprise last year, finishing 6-6, although they went 3-5 in the conference. However, they bring back 8 starters on offense and 7 on defense, and with the return of the no-huddle offense to Evanston, the Wildcats should be putting fear into Big Ten defenses across the conference. C.J. Bacher and Tyrell Sutton should put up great numbers for NW, but that will all depend upon an untested offensive line that will be the X factor to the Wildcats’ success.

On defense, Northwestern will be solid, but not anything that’s really something to talk about. The secondary looks a little shaky, so expect some shootouts in the majority of Northwestern games. Looking at the schedule, they do have some favorable matchups in the conference, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this team is the surprise of the conference this year. You heard it here first!!