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Northwestern lands on Yahoo Sports ‘Misery Index’ following loss to FCS Southern Illinois
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Northwestern football had a 3-9 season in 2021. Things were starting to look up for the Wildcats, but they are 1-2 after losses to Duke and Southern Illinois.
Dan Wolken of Yahoo Sports believes that another losing season is going to happen in 2022. The last winning season that Northwestern had was in 2020, when it finished with a 7-2 record and won a B1G West division title.
“After Saturday’s 31-24 loss to Southern Illinois, Northwestern is likely headed for a third bad season in the past four — the exception being a 7-2 record in the funky COVID season sandwiched between dual 3-9s,” said Wolken. “That’s not going to get Fitzgerald in trouble.”
There’s still plenty of time left for Fitzgerald to turn things around, but there are questions about what happens if everything doesn’t pan out for Pat Fitzgerald this season. Wolken thinks that the Wildcats could have some issues to address in 2023 if so.
First of all, it’s Northwestern. Second, he is the same coach who went to 10 bowl games and two Big Ten title games. But maybe that’s the problem. If there’s no pressure, will Fitzgerald make necessary changes to staff, philosophy and recruiting? Or will he coast into 2023 and lean on his history of bouncing back? If it’s the latter, the Wildcats may have big problems to address next year.
Northwestern has a chance to redeem itself against Miami of Ohio Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on BTN.
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.