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B1G officially crowns Northwestern B1G West champions
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Northwestern has officially won its second Big Ten West crown in the last three years.
The Wildcats are 5-1 this season and have clearly been the division’s best team from start to finish. If not for a slip up against Michigan State in Week 6, Northwestern would be in College Football Playoff contention.
As it turns out, Pat Fitzgerald’s squad got its biggest win of the season in Week 2 when it defeated Iowa 21-20 on the road. The Hawkeyes are the only other team in the division with more than two wins.
Iowa actually led that game 17-0, but Northwestern was able to claw its way back and eventually win it.
Northwestern also has impressive wins over Maryland, Wisconsin and Purdue.
The Wildcats thrived defensively this season. Northwestern has the No. 2 scoring defense in the country amongst all Power 5 teams. The Wildcats are No. 2 in interceptions (12), No. 3 in 20-yard pass plays allowed (13) and No. 1 in 30-yard rush plays allowed (0) in the Big Ten this season.
Quarterback Peyton Ramsey has mostly been solid as a game manager while the running game churns clock and the defense produces stops. Ramsey has eight touchdown passes this season.
Northwestern is likely to face Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, although it could be Indiana if the Buckeyes aren’t able to play six games and the conference decides to stick with its six-game minimum rule.
The Wildcats host Illinois in Week 8.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.