In recent years, Northwestern has made a concerted push into Chicago; “Chicago’s Big Ten team” the billboards have read. The Wildcats played at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, in 2010 and in doing so played the first college football game in the venue since the 1930s.

In 2013, the Cats signed a deal with the Cubs that promised 5 future football games at the venue. After COVID derailed last season’s scheduled game against Wisconsin, the Wildcats are set to return to Wrigley on Saturday against Purdue.

It’s only fitting, then, that Pat Hughes narrate this week’s hype video.

Hughes is the play-by-play man for the Cubs, and has been since 1996. “This place is special,” he says.

And Northwestern is hoping Saturday provides something special in a season that hasn’t gone its way. The Wildcats are just 3-7 on the year and 1-6 in Big Ten play.

Purdue enters at 6-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play.

The two square off Saturday at noon ET on BTN.