No. 17 Wisconsin (8-2) @ Northwestern (7-4)

• fan_from_texas

  In their last 10 meetings, the teams have split 5-5. Wisconsin hasn't won a game at Evanston in the last decade.
  
  A win by Wisconsin would put them at 6-2 in the conference, likely in a tie for the second best record in the B10 (unless tOSU loses to Michigan, which gives Wisconsin a share of the B10 crown). A win by Northwestern puts them at 5-3 in the conference, and possibly in a massive 2nd-place tie (though more likely, they'll end up in the group just behind Ohio State, Penn State, and Iowa).
  
  More realistically, this is a battle for bowl slots. An 8-4 Northwestern team would be building on the momentum of last season's 9-4 campaign. Back-to-back bowls would help NU out and put them in great shape for next year.
  
  The question mark for the 'Cats is at the QB spot. Kafka has been struggling with a pulled hamstring, and it's not clear whether he'll play. He's far more of a passing threat than backup QB Persa, who has been decent but not great.
  
  Thoughts? Pat Fitzgerald sure is doing some great things in Evanston. They're moving solidly into the realm of being a mid-level B10 team and playing teams tough year-in and year-out.
• fan_from_texas

  33-31 NU with 3.50 left in the 4th. Wisky ball. It's been a great game so far. We'll see if NU can hang on.
• devil1197

  This has been a pretty good game. I didn't know NW had 7 wins.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  Is this on ESPN360? Gameplan? I can't find it.
• devil1197

  B10 network.
• devil1197

  Coughed up by Clay.
  
  That may have sealed the game for NW.
• devil1197

  Ball game INT by NW.
• ptown_trojans_1

  

  Congrats to NW. I believe they finish 4th in the Big Ten at 8-4.
• tcby99

  Nice season for the Wildcats.
• fan_from_texas

  ptown_trojans_1 wrote: Congrats to NW. I believe they finish 4th in the Big Ten at 8-4.

  What strikes me as interesting is that every year, when the Huddle votes on projected B10 standings, they put NU last. Never fails. And then every year they go out and finish in the middle of the pack.
  
  I think many people are still stuck in the mindset of the 1970s when it comes to NU. They don't realize that NU has won 3 B10 titles in the last 15 years, has a .500 B10 record in this decade, and routinely fields very solid teams.
• Cleveland Buck

  

  I always root for Northwestern to do well. Those are real students playing football, not just football players trying to beef up their NFL draft resume. Pat Fitzgerald is an outstanding coach too. They play tough defense without big time talent.
• newarkcatholicfan

  

  I was thrilled to find out thr Wildcats pulled off another win.
• fan_from_texas

  Cleveland Buck wrote: Pat Fitzgerald is an outstanding coach too. They play tough defense without big time talent.

  Let's hope he stays. He bleeds purple, so I think he should be there for the long haul, but with all the great things he's doing, I'm sure other schools have come calling with more money.