Northwestern isn’t exactly bidding to be one of college football’s blueblood programs. It’s been just recently that the Wildcats have established a consistent culture of winning.

Maybe that’s why Pat Fitzgerald is considered to be one of the most underrated head coaches in the sport, according to his peers.

Because Northwestern isn’t labeled as a college football power, it’s not common that four- and five-star prospects are choosing to spend their college years in Evanston. And, the Wildcats aren’t exactly a factory of NFL talent.

That just means that the Wildcats are accomplishing more with less, according to Sport Source Analytics.

Northwestern has produced just sine 12 draft picks since 2007, one of the lowest totals in college football. Yet the Wildcats have produced three 10-win seasons, attended eight bowl games and have finished with a record above .500 seven times.

Though Northwestern is exactly beating down Alabama’s door, it’s pretty remarkable that Fitzgerald has been able to accomplish so much.

Northwestern is hoping to produce another winning season in 2018 and could be a challenger in the B1G West.