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Not many folks would put Northwestern in the same conversation as Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma. While the Wildcats have a solid football program, the other three are on an elite level.
But Northwestern is officially in the same category as those three teams following Saturday’s win over then No. 20 Wisconsin. The win over the Badgers marked the ninth conference win in the last 10 games for the Wildcats. There are only three other Power Five teams with the same accomplishment.
Yep, you guessed it: Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma.
According to Paul Myerberg of USA Today, Northwestern is one of the four programs to join that exclusive club.
Four Power Five teams have won 9 of their last 10 conference games: Alabama (OK), Clemson (sure), Oklahoma (makes sense) and … Northwestern. Pat Fitzgerald does one hell of a good job.
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) October 28, 2018
Northwestern is 5-1 in B1G this year, with the only loss coming to No. 5 Michigan. Pat Fitzgerald currently has the Wildcats at the top of the B1G West with a full game lead. They are 5-3 overall.
Here are the last 10 B1G opponents Northwestern has faced, dating back to 2017:
- Maryland: 37-21 (W)
- Iowa: 17-10 (W)
- Michigan State: 39-31 (W)
- Nebraska: 31-24 (W)
- Purdue: 23-13 (W)
- Minnesota: 39-0 (W)
- Illinois: 42-7 (W)
- Purdue: 31-27 (W)
- Michigan: 17-20 (L)
- Michigan State: 29-19 (W)
- Nebraska: 34-31 (W)
- Rutgers: 18-15 (W)
- Wisconsin: 31-17 (W)
There are some impressive wins on that resumé for the Wildcats.
Fitzgerald has done an incredible job during his time at Northwestern, and this impressive run is just further proof. Now, we’ll see if the Wildcats can top it off with a B1G West crown and a short drive to Indianapolis come December.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB