The 'Cats have been fairly consistent against its West brethren (wouldn't say that they have anyone's #, including the Illini), altho their record against UW is probably surprising to most.
In the last 20 meetings (aside from NEB), NU has the following records...
Iowa - 11-9
Minny - 11-9
Purdue - 10-10
Wisconsin- 9-11
Illinois - 12-8
NEB - 2-4 (since 2011)
Going 9-11 over the past 20 games against the program that has been the standard-bearer for the B1G W is pretty good.
Only school to do just as well in the B1G West is Iowa - also at 9-11 in the last 20 meetings against UW..
Against rest of the B1G West, Wisky is...
Minny - 18-2
Illinois - 16-3-1
Purdue - 15-4-1
NEB - 5-1 (since 2011)
Aside from NU and Iowa, UW has dominated the other schools in the B1G W.
What one can take away from this is that Wisky has been able to dominate the others schools b/c they usually have had the advantage in the trenches, including against NEB; UW has been able to pull out wins even when breaking in a new QB by relying on their run game.
UW generally has had the advantage in the trenches against NU as well, but the 'Cats have been able to pull out games by having the advantage at the skill positions (in particular QB).
The vast majority of the games resulting in a W for the 'Cats were close, whereas there have been a good # of blow-out wins for Wisky - which indicates games where the 'Cats didn't have the advantage (or at least playing even) in the skill positions and the trenches.
Not having better play in the trenches is probably a leading factor in the 'Cats not having done better against the other programs that are now in the B1G W.
This all goes back to the program not being able to take the next step in winning the B1G W until things improve at the lines, in particular, the O-line.
In the last 20 meetings (aside from NEB), NU has the following records...
Iowa - 11-9
Minny - 11-9
Purdue - 10-10
Wisconsin- 9-11
Illinois - 12-8
NEB - 2-4 (since 2011)
Going 9-11 over the past 20 games against the program that has been the standard-bearer for the B1G W is pretty good.
Only school to do just as well in the B1G West is Iowa - also at 9-11 in the last 20 meetings against UW..
Against rest of the B1G West, Wisky is...
Minny - 18-2
Illinois - 16-3-1
Purdue - 15-4-1
NEB - 5-1 (since 2011)
Aside from NU and Iowa, UW has dominated the other schools in the B1G W.
What one can take away from this is that Wisky has been able to dominate the others schools b/c they usually have had the advantage in the trenches, including against NEB; UW has been able to pull out wins even when breaking in a new QB by relying on their run game.
UW generally has had the advantage in the trenches against NU as well, but the 'Cats have been able to pull out games by having the advantage at the skill positions (in particular QB).
The vast majority of the games resulting in a W for the 'Cats were close, whereas there have been a good # of blow-out wins for Wisky - which indicates games where the 'Cats didn't have the advantage (or at least playing even) in the skill positions and the trenches.
Not having better play in the trenches is probably a leading factor in the 'Cats not having done better against the other programs that are now in the B1G W.
This all goes back to the program not being able to take the next step in winning the B1G W until things improve at the lines, in particular, the O-line.
