604,800 seconds. 10,080 minutes. 167 hours. Seven days. One week. And what a difference that makes in the world of college football. As the week 7 games came to a close, the Legends Division of the Big Ten appears wide open. Northwestern, Iowa, and Michigan added conference wins to their résumés and remained perched, along with Nebraska, near the top of the division standings. But some were not so lucky; both Indiana and Michigan State lost in Big Ten play Saturday, essentially ending the title hopes of both programs.
October may be but halfway over, and snow may not yet blanket the fields of Big Ten teams, but for several teams next season cannot begin quickly enough. Northwestern’s hopes, however, are among those that remain alive and well. Following a 21-13 win against Minnesota, the team is back in position to make a run at the Legends title. Still, with Michigan State playing Michigan, Penn State visiting Iowa and the Cornhuskers coming to Evanston this weekend, nothing is certain. At this point of the season, every game is a must-win.
Oct. 20 vs. Nebraska: 4-2 (1-1)
NBN Projected Winner: Nebraska
Nebraska’s
10/13 Result: Bye
NBN Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2)
NBN Projected Legends Finish: 1st
If any game is circled on Pat Fitzgerald’s calendar, it has to be this one. This Family Weekend match up with the Cornhuskers will likely make or break Northwestern’s chance to reach the Big Ten title game. The Wildcats will look to recapture the magic they found in Lincoln last year, when they pulled off a 28-25 upset over a then-No. 9 team.
If Northwestern can find a way to win this game, it would be in great position to make it to Indianapolis. However, to ask the ‘Cats to beat Nebraska may be too much. Quarterback Taylor Martinez has looked impressive this year, save for the disaster against Ohio State last weekend, and will likely only improve.
Going forward, an Oct. 27 victory over Michigan will essentially lock up the Legends title for Nebraska, and only a loss to Penn State will stop the Cornhuskers from running the table in the regular season.
Oct. 27 vs. Iowa: 4-2 (2-0)
NBN Projected Winner: Northwestern
Iowa’s
10/13 Result: 19-16 (2OT) win over Michigan State
NBN Projected Record: 6-6 (4-4)
NBN Projected Legends Finish: 4th
Count Iowa as one of the surprise teams in the Big Ten this year. With a 2-0 record thus far in conference play, including this week’s victory over Michigan State, the Hawkeyes can make some noise and possibly pull a few upsets that will alter the landscape of the Big Ten.
Still, Northwestern should earn a close victory over Iowa during Homecoming. The Hawkeyes’ schedule only gets tougher, and while they may be able to knock off one or two of the conference’s giants, this great play in recent weeks is more likely the result of bad opponents than it is indicative of Iowa’s potential. Expect this team to fall off in coming games.
Nov. 10 at Michigan: 4-2 (2-0)
NBN Projected Winner: Michigan
Michigan’s
10/13 Result: 45-0 win over Illinois
NBN Projected Record: 8-4 (6-2)
NBN Projected Legends Finish: 2nd
There may not be a more confusing team in the Big Ten than the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan started the season looking atrocious against top-ranked Alabama, and QB Denard Robinson failed to improve as the team looked shaky against Air Force and a ranked Notre Dame squad. The last two weeks, however, could not have been more different., as the Wolverines have scored over 40 points in each of the last two games.
If Northwestern does lose to Nebraska, the ‘Cats cannot afford to take an L here. But winning in the Big House is certainly no easy task.
Michigan will be fighting for its own life after a loss to Nebraska and will not lose again until it plays Ohio State. Ultimately, the Wolverines will fall short of the title game on a tiebreak to Nebraska based on head-to-head play.
Yet, there is hope for the Wildcats. A Northwestern win over Nebraska would either essentially cancel out a loss to Michigan or inspire Fitzgerald’s team enough to pull off the second of two huge upsets. Also, if Robinson reverts to his early season form, Michigan could plummet as quickly as you can say "Ann Arbor" three times fast.
Nov. 17 at Michigan State: 4-3 (1-2)
NBN Projected Winner: Northwestern
Michigan State’s
10/13 Result: 16-19 (2OT) loss to Iowa
NBN Projected Record: 5-7 (2-6)
NBN Projected Legends Finish: 5th
Despite being discussed before the season as a favorite to win the Big Ten, the Spartans are already virtually out of contention. Three disappointing showings in a row, including this week’s loss to Iowa, prove this team is simply not very good. And there is no sign that its fate will improve anytime soon, even with RB La’Veon Bell single-handedly keeping this team in games.
The Spartans could win a couple more games as the season progresses, but it is certainly not a stretch to say this team finishes in the cellar of the league.
If anything, the Spartans should quickly become the other favorite team of Northwestern students. If Michigan State can get its act together and beat either Michigan or Nebraska, the path for Northwestern becomes that much easier. Look for Northwestern to pick up a key victory in East Lansing to stay in the hunt for the Legends title.
Nov. 24 vs. Illinois: 2-5 (0-3)
NBN Projected Winner: Northwestern
Illinois’
10/13 Result: 0-45 loss to Michigan
NBN Projected Record: 5-7 (0-8)
NBN Projected Leaders Finish: 6th
Really? Even playing in the decimated Leaders Division, Illinois has no hope. A loss to Northwestern in the season’s final game will wrap up a pitiful season for the Fighting Illini and secure a nine-win year for the ‘Cats.
The goal for Northwestern is clear: 10-2, as double-digit wins should pace the ‘Cats to Indy. Anything less and the Wildcats will likely settle for second or third place.
There will be nothing easy about achieving this record, as it will require the team to win two out of three against the major programs (Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State) remaining on its schedule. This coming weekend’s contest may be the biggest of the three. A win over the Cornhuskers creates some breathing room for the Wildcats, but Nebraska is better than any team Northwestern has faced so far, and the paltry 67 yards passing compiled against Minnesota will not cut it this time around.
While much of the season has yet to play itself out, the margin for error is now minimal. For although Northwestern’s title hopes are still alive after a win this weekend, there is no telling the situation the coming week will bring.