The Northwestern football record for single season wins is ten. The mark is shared by Gary Barnett (1995) and Pat Fitzgerald (2008). NU is at 8 right now with two games left, plus a bowl game. So there’s a very decent chance the Wildcats could tie the school record for wins, and an outside chance they could break it.
Oddsmakers aren’t giving them of a chance this week though.
SPREAD: Northwestern football are 13 point underdogs! Yikes! That’s a bit extreme, yes? Apparently, Vegas lucidly remembers NU’s 35-6 defeat they last time they visited Madison, and probably the 70-23 destruction the previous time they visited Camp Randall Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
Below is my segment from 1620 the Zone talking Northwestern football, and previewing this game. Pat Fitzgerald for Big Ten Coach of the Year? Well, he’s in the running with Kirk Ferentz. We discuss that topic too. Personally, I think it’s definitely going to be Ferentz, but there’s no point to handing out awards unless you can also have a debate about them.
Have a listen:
The main trending topic this week was Clayton Thorson and the issues he’s had trying to develop consistency this season. Thorson hasn’t shown all that much overall development and progress this season. At least not with his arm. He has made a lot of plays with his legs this year however.
In general, the passing attack is the one thing 2015 Northwestern football lacks. That’s not all Thorson’s fault, as the wide receivers have certainly had their share of drops, among other issues. Pass protection has lacked at times as well.
So while NU may lack style points, they are winning, and winning consistently. They don’t have much of a passing attack, but they do have everything else. Think of them as a soccer team that’s near the top of the table, and got there by winning 1-0 a lot and having a lot of goalless draws. Still, what Fitzgerald has been able to do this season, with a redshirt freshman quarterback, is a hell of a job.
Prediction: Wisconsin 26, Northwestern football 17
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous television and radio talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.