How Northwestern Can Win the Big Ten Crown This Season
The Northwestern Wildcats have been slowly climbing up the Big Ten Power Rankings over the past few seasons,
and this year they are a legitimate contender for the Big Ten crown. With a talented roster and strong coaching staff,
Northwestern has the potential to pull off a major upset and shock the college football world.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how the Wildcats can make a run at the Big Ten title this season and make history in the process.
They have the talent
Northwestern has the talent to win the Big Ten crown this season.
Quarterback Peyton Ramsey is a dual-threat playmaker who has plenty of experience in the Big Ten,
while running back Isaiah Bowser gives the Wildcats an elite running back.
The defense is led by defensive linemen Joe Gaziano and Samdup Miller, two of the best pass rushers in the conference.
The secondary is anchored by cornerback Greg Newsome II, who is already being projected as a first round draft pick in 2021.
With a deep and talented roster on both sides of the ball, Northwestern has the talent to compete for a Big Ten crown.
They have the schedule
The Northwestern Wildcats have a favorable schedule ahead of them this season.
The Big Ten is stacked with quality teams from top to bottom, but Northwestern’s strength of schedule appears to be much more manageable than some of their Big Ten counterparts.
The Wildcats are scheduled to face Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, and Wisconsin in the regular season.
All four of those teams could be contenders in the conference this year, but none of them have the same talent or depth that Northwestern possesses.
That could prove to be a huge advantage for the Wildcats as they attempt to make a run at the Big Ten crown.
The biggest game on Northwestern’s schedule will be their matchup with the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan is one of the perennial powerhouses in college football and should provide a stern test for Northwestern’s defense.
If they can find a way to contain the high-powered Wolverine offense, they could really turn some heads and prove that they are legitimate contenders for the Big Ten title.
Overall, Northwestern has the benefit of playing a relatively weak schedule this season,
which could go a long way in helping them reach their goal of a Big Ten championship.
With their talent and experience, the Wildcats should be able to take advantage of this opportunity and show the college football world what they are made of.
They have the motivation
Motivation plays a huge role in determining a team’s success and the Northwestern Wildcats have all the motivation they need to make a run for the Big Ten crown this season.
After missing out on the Big Ten Championship game for two years, Northwestern is determined to make it there this time.
The team has been working hard in the off-season, strengthening their resolve and determination to do whatever it takes to get there.
They also have plenty of inspiration from previous Big Ten champions, including Ohio State, who they are trying to replicate and surpass.
On top of that, they will be playing in front of their passionate home crowd and won’t let them down.
That is the kind of motivation that can carry any team to success and Northwestern is ready to capitalize on it.
They have the coaching
The Northwestern Wildcats have an experienced head coach in Pat Fitzgerald, who has been with the team since 2006.
Coach Fitzgerald has consistently had the Wildcats in contention for the Big Ten title, and this season could be his best chance yet.
The coaching staff is experienced, with some of the best recruiters in college football.
They have been able to land talented recruits like Isaiah Bowser, Ramaud Chiaokhiao Bowman,
and John Raine, all of whom are expected to make an impact this season.
The offense is led by offensive coordinator Mick McCall, who is known for his up tempo offense.
McCall’s system has been successful at Northwestern
and he has helped develop quarterbacks Clayton Thorson and Hunter Johnson into two of the most dangerous signal callers in the Big Ten.
The Wildcats also have a strong group of wide receivers in Bennett Skowronek, Kyric McGowan, and JJ Jefferson, as well as tight end John Raine.
On the defensive side, Northwestern is led by defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz.
Hankwitz’s defense was one of the best in college football last season and should be one of the top units again this year.
He has talent on the defensive line with Joe Gaziano, Samdup Miller, and Earnest Brown IV leading the way.
In the secondary, safety Travis Whillock and cornerback Greg Newsome are two of the best defensive backs in the conference.
Overall, the Wildcats have a coaching staff that is experienced and ready to compete for a Big Ten championship.
If they can put together all the pieces of the puzzle, then Northwestern could be primed for a run at a conference title this season.
