Link: http://btn.com/2017/08/30/dot-commentary-who-is-the-dark-horse-contender-in-the-big-ten/
Quote about NU(the real one - not UNL):
Everyone is rightfully dubbing the Big Red Machine as Big Ten West favorites in 2017, and I’m not referring to the Huskers. I’m talking about the machine in Madison, as Wisconsin has the skill and the schedule to march to their fifth Big Ten title game appearance. The remaining West teams will have to earn contender status. I actually agree with Tom that Nebraska has a chance to de-throne the Badgers, but my dark horse team is the other NU: Northwestern . The reason? Consistency. Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska are all going through some degree of turnover at different levels, from coordinator changes to new QBs to a complete program overhaul in the Twin Cities. No such uncertainty exists in Evanston, and the Wildcats have the weapons under Pat Fitzgerald to match up with anyone on their schedule.
Running back Justin Jackson doesn’t get talked about enough, especially considering he could vault into the Big Ten’s top three rushing leaders of all time with a strong season. QB Clayton Thorson is back after a solid season, and Godwin Igwebuike is a defensive anchor and preseason All-American at safety. Other West teams have star players, too, but college football is hard enough without having to learn new systems and adjust to new QBs. Both of Northwestern’s coordinators are in their tenth seasons with the Wildcats, so their personnel know what’s expected. Things will have to fall in place, but don’t count Northwestern out to reach their first Big Ten title game in search of their first conference championship since 2000.
Interesting aside is that this was written by an Illini alum. Is he trying to jinx us?
Quote about NU(the real one - not UNL):
Everyone is rightfully dubbing the Big Red Machine as Big Ten West favorites in 2017, and I’m not referring to the Huskers. I’m talking about the machine in Madison, as Wisconsin has the skill and the schedule to march to their fifth Big Ten title game appearance. The remaining West teams will have to earn contender status. I actually agree with Tom that Nebraska has a chance to de-throne the Badgers, but my dark horse team is the other NU: Northwestern . The reason? Consistency. Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska are all going through some degree of turnover at different levels, from coordinator changes to new QBs to a complete program overhaul in the Twin Cities. No such uncertainty exists in Evanston, and the Wildcats have the weapons under Pat Fitzgerald to match up with anyone on their schedule.
Running back Justin Jackson doesn’t get talked about enough, especially considering he could vault into the Big Ten’s top three rushing leaders of all time with a strong season. QB Clayton Thorson is back after a solid season, and Godwin Igwebuike is a defensive anchor and preseason All-American at safety. Other West teams have star players, too, but college football is hard enough without having to learn new systems and adjust to new QBs. Both of Northwestern’s coordinators are in their tenth seasons with the Wildcats, so their personnel know what’s expected. Things will have to fall in place, but don’t count Northwestern out to reach their first Big Ten title game in search of their first conference championship since 2000.
Interesting aside is that this was written by an Illini alum. Is he trying to jinx us?
