NU plays its final non-conference matchup of the season today, as it gears up for an important battle against ULM. Despite the implications, Inside NU writers aren’t too worried about the Wildcats in this one.
Charlie Jacobs: Northwestern 27, ULM 17
If UCLA was a close game, this one is bound to be as well. ULM is a Sun Belt team, but the ‘Cats have shown that they can be scored on. The Warhawks’ one loss this season was a 73-0 shutout against Alabama. Other than that, they have beaten FCS Saint Francis,
UTEP and Arkansas State (none of these teams have a win against FBS opponents). I’m going to still go with Northwestern because it is a Power 4 vs Group of 5 team (Tulane was a different scenario). The ‘Cats have shown some promise, especially when running the ball. I believe NU will win this one, but it’ll be closer than it should.
Patrick Winograd: Northwestern 24, ULM 13
Northwestern did enough to secure its first conference victory of the season against UCLA last week, but the offense faltered in the second half, allowing the Bruins to get back into the game. If Northwestern can reclaim its offensive production level from the first half last weekend, when it put up 17 against a porous UCLA defense, the Wildcats will have no trouble dealing with the Warhawks this weekend. ULM’s 3-1 record looks good on paper, but when you peel back the layers a bit, the Warhawks have beaten three teams who have zero combined wins against FBS teams this year, with a 73-0 loss to Alabama sandwiched between the three wins. The ‘Cats shouldn’t struggle at all this weekend, but I still expect a low scoring affair.
Ascher Levin: Northwestern 28, ULM 14
After a tight finish against UCLA following a dominant first half, Northwestern now faces its final non-conference opponent in Louisiana Monroe. The Warhawks are 3-1 but were pummeled by Alabama in their only Power Four matchup of the season. They feature a strong rushing attack with 853 yards in their first four games, averaging nearly six yards per carry. The ’Cats will need to be solid up front to contain them. This should be a game where Northwestern and Preston Stone handle business. It would also be great for Stone to develop another consistent option alongside Griffin Wilde. The South Dakota State transfer has been terrific, but if he is the only dependable target, defenses will adjust and begin doubling him. The timing of this matchup is also important. Northwestern needs to stack wins as it moves into the heart of the schedule with Penn State and a very winnable game against Purdue coming up. This is the kind of game the ’Cats should win to maintain momentum and strengthen their position for what lies ahead.
Calvin Kaplan: Northwestern 20, ULM 10
The Warhawks’ offensive line has allowed just two sacks all year, and although ULM is a Group of Five school, there’s still reason for concern regarding the potential of Northwestern’s pass rush on Saturday. Still, I expect the ‘Cats to overcome those difficulties and pick up a win through relying on the running backs and force-feeding targets to Griffin Wilde. ULM can defend the run decently well, but its secondary is weak. If the ‘Cats can find a second option at receiver, this game could be a runaway, but it may end closer than NU faithful would like if Warhawk quarterback Aidan Armenta has time to sit in the pocket all afternoon.
Adam Sutro: Northwestern 30, ULM 17
ULM just ended a 16-year losing streak against Arkansas State, and are off to a hot 3-1 start to the season. The Warhawks sport the nation’s 22nd ranked rushing game, gaining 217.8 yards per game through four weeks. I actually think the ‘Cats will have difficulty at times defending this rushing attack, as they’ve struggled to defend the run throughout the season. However, in this game, what the ‘Cats do have—as weird as this may sound—is more talent. Preston Stone is a significantly better quarterback than redshirt sophomore Aidan Armenta. Caleb Komolafe and Griffin Wilde will be the best playmakers Martin Stadium sees on Sunday, and the same goes for Robert Fitzgerald and Mac Uhlein on the defensive end. Northwestern will have to embrace a physical football game, but I think they’ll eventually pull away for a two touchdown victory.
Sai Trivedi: Northwestern 28, ULM 13
For the second straight week, the Wildcats face a must-win situation. ULM has some strengths, including a surprisingly effectively run offense that NU’s pass rush must be ready to stifle. The secondary will get a boost with the return of Damon Walters and Josh Fussell, and the Warhawks passing attack is certainly less threatening than other Big Ten opponents. However, ULM also boasts a competent run defense, and the ‘Cats must continue trusting their dynamic and diverse running back room to challenge the Warhawks in the trenches. While Preston Stone showed signs of improvement against UCLA, he must maintain confidence moving outside the pocket and locating receivers beyond Griffin Wilde. The ‘Cats offense seemingly ran into a wall in the second half of last week’s game, and it’s imperative that both the playcalling and playmaking stays consistent no matter the score. The good news: ULM’s secondary is one of the weaker components of its team, and one Stone will have opportunities to exploit. I trust NU to keep its foot on the gas pedal. If it does, this should be a comfortable win.
Pierson Strandquist: Northwestern 26, ULM 20
I billed last week against UCLA as a prove-it game, but it mostly confirmed what we already knew: NU’s run game is the real deal and its defense is holding up despite injuries. Caleb Komolafe followed his Oregon performance with a career-high 27 carries for 119 yards and a TD, becoming the first Wildcat RB to eclipse 100 yards since Evan Hull in 2022, while Joseph Himon II added 58 yards on 7.3 per carry. The defense should get a boost with some returnees, but QB Preston Stone still hasn’t taken a true step forward, finishing statistically worse than Nico Iamaleava despite the win. That being said, this is the perfect opportunity for Stone to build much-needed chemistry with receivers other than Griffin Wilde, but that can only happen if an effective game plan creates enough breathing room early to experiment with. Until proven otherwise, except sub-200-yard passing games and a heavy reliance on the ground attack. As crazy as it sounds, the tally of 35 combined carries for Komolafe and Himon last time out may even need to be increased. ULM is 3-1 thanks to a weak schedule, but their rushing attack is legit, led by Zach Palmer-Smith, who ranked in the top 10 nationally among non-QBs in PFF grade last week. NU should win, but if Zach Lujan strays from the run-first formula, it could be tighter than expected.
Yanyan Li: Northwestern 28, ULM 14
The Warhawks are 3-1 and coming off a massive program win against Arkansas State, but Northwestern will be a step up compared to the three teams they beat (who, like others mentioned, do not have a single combined FBS win). Both teams rely on their run game, but I trust the Wildcats to be stronger across the board here and emerge victorious by two touchdowns.
