The 2019 season was a strange one for Northwestern. Under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, there’s been a level of consistency the Wildcats have enjoyed on a yearly basis.

Last year, that was not the case. Northwestern followed a B1G Championship Game run in 2018 with a 3-9 record in 2019, the worst season Fitzgerald has endured as a head coach. Struggles at the quarterback position and a lack of offensive playmakers really hurt the ‘Cats last fall.

But Northwestern is looking to bounce back in a big way this year. Northwestern did lose star offensive lineman Rashawn Slater, but does get much-needed help at the quarterback position with Peyton Ramsey — a former starter at Indiana. The Wildcats also get some help in the scheduling department, landing crossover games against Maryland and Michigan State in the revised schedule.

Northwestern is looking to bounce back in a big way and prove it can still be a regular competitor in the B1G West. With the division improving across the board, it won’t be easy, but the Wildcats should be in a better situation offensively than a year ago.

ESPN’s Power Football Index (FPI) believes so, as well.

Here’s how ESPN’s FPI is predicting the 2020 season will go for the Wildcats:

  • Oct. 24: vs. Maryland — 89.7% chance of victory
  • Oct. 31: at Iowa — 48.4% chance of victory
  • Nov. 7: vs. Nebraska — 65.5% chance of victory
  • Nov. 14: at Purdue — 71.3% chance of victory
  • Nov. 21: vs. Wisconsin — 18.5% chance of victory
  • Nov. 28: at Michigan State — 78.2% chance of victory
  • Dec. 5: at Minnesota — 50.6% chance of victory
  • Dec. 12: vs. Illinois — N/A