Following a 1-2 start, head coach David Braun and the Northwestern Wildcats get a much-needed week off from the gauntlet of a Big Ten schedule that is yet to come their way. Coming off a tough, albeit expected, loss at the hands of sixth-ranked Oregon in Evanston this past weekend, NU has a bye before it welcomes in another West Coast opponent in UCLA. But while Braun and Co. get an extra week of preparation for quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the Bruins, who should ‘Cats fans be rooting for amidst
a weekend of football without the purple and white?
*Due to the fact that the Iowa-Rutgers game has already been played prior to the publication of this article, we will be excluding the mention of that matchup.
Maryland vs. Wisconsin, 11 a.m. CT
The ‘Cats might not be facing either of Maryland or Wisconsin this season, but this game will definitely be a fun one to watch from an unbiased point of view regardless. If we’re going purely off which team Northwestern has the opportunity to pull ahead of in the Big Ten standings, it’s looking like the Badgers are a more likely candidate right now. After losing starting QB Billy Edwards Jr. to injury, Wisco was dogwalked by Alabama. Meanwhile, Maryland is flying high, led by sensational freshman quarterback Malik Washington. With Washington’s ability and NU’s chance to pull even with UW record-wise, it’s got to be the Terrapins here.
Oregon State vs. No. 6 Oregon, 2 p.m. CT
Now, this game is highly dependent on how you feel as a fan. On one hand, the aura and excitement of an unranked team beating an undefeated top ten opponent — not to mention the fact that NU lost at the hands of the Ducks just last week — is enough to root for the Beavers. On the other end, if U of O can win in dominant fashion against its in-state rivals, it might make the Wildcats’ 20-point loss look a whole lot better. So, what’s more important: a wild upset or a resume boost? I’ll let you guys make the decision there.
No. 21 Michigan vs. Nebraska, 2:30 p.m. CT
In direct opposition to the aforementioned Maryland-Wisconsin game, Northwestern will be facing both Michigan and Nebraska later this season. For now, though, ‘Cats fans can sit back and enjoy what is bound to be a down-to-the-wire battle in Lincoln. Of course, the upset factor plays into things here, but it’s also important to consider who NU could leapfrog in the B1G standings this season. If you’re feeling more optimistic about this Northwestern team going forward, root for Michigan to beat the still-undefeated Cornhuskers. If you just want to see great football and are feeling a little more pessimistic about the chances of leaping either team, pull for Nebraska.
Purdue vs. No. 24 Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m. CT
Depending on who you ask, some might tell you that in a cross-conference matchup, you should always be rooting for the team in your own conference to win. Showing conference loyalty is the commendable thing to do after all, right? But personally, I just cannot look past Northwestern’s rivalry with Purdue. Even if it burns eternally more brightly in men’s basketball than football, it’s enough to root for the Fighting Irish in this one.
No. 9 Illinois vs. No. 19 Indiana, 6:30 p.m. CT
Not only would it be cool to see a top-10 team lose on the road (in a night game, nonetheless), but the team being Illinois would only make things all the sweeter. Go Hoosiers!
Washington vs. Washington State, 6:30 p.m. CT
Okay, I guess I’ll have to pull for a Big Ten team at some point this season. Given that Northwestern won’t face the Huskies at all this season (which might be a blessing given the train wreck the ‘Cats endured in Seattle last season), it seems only right to root for Washington to get the dub against an out-of-conference rival at Martin Stadium (no, not that one).
Michigan State vs. No. 25 USC, 10:00 p.m. CT
Yet again, there are a couple of different ways to look at this matchup from a ‘Cats fan’s perspective. On the one hand, an upset would be pretty cool, and would give that “Pac-12 after dark” feel that the college football world has sorely missed since the conference disbanded two years ago. However, if the Trojans are still ranked by the time Northwestern faces them on Nov. 7, it would give the Wildcats a shot at earning a ranked win, too. I’ll root for USC this time around if nothing more for the pipe dream of beating it later on in the year.
