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America could turn a blind eye to a Big Ten division champion with a 6-4 record. One of Jay Cutler's greatest hits shows how the Wildcats would react to the enemies: "Do not worry."
Northwestern is 6-1 in the Big Ten with a three-point loss to Michigan. The Wildcats have won 10 consecutive games at Big Ten West. They have not lost on the road since September 30, 2017.
And most importantly, they are heading to Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship game on December 1st.
Here are three points to remember from their 14-10 win on Saturday against Iowa:
1. Northwestern has the gift of time.
How odd that the last two games of the Wildcats in the regular season – Minnesota and home against Illinois – have no importance in the standings. This allows UN coach Pat Fitzgerald to be ultraconservative towards injured players. His defense has four: linebacker Nate Hall (shoulder), cornerbacks Hartage Watch (hamstring) and Trae Williams (ankle) and security Jared McGee (indeterminate). All figures must be erased by December 1st.
Northwestern also needs time to put a kicker in good health. While Charlie Kuhbander and Drew Luckenbaugh were recovering from their troubles in the lower body, bettor Jake Collins attempted a spot in the 38-yard match on Saturday. He missed his first shot since high school. Collins is a good bettor, but in addition, he managed the tackle in his first two directories.
2. Clayton Thorson finds another way.
He made two interception attempts, but everyone on the UN side protested against the first, believing that slot machine receiver Flynn Nagel was held out of the break. On the second, he threw himself behind Ben Skowronek and in traffic – a big mistake.
On the plus side, Thorson had a very good shot against the Skowronek touchdown with a 32-yard touchdown. He had twice the first goal on brave bouts, reaching the ball through the virtual yellow line on one. And he threw several balls on well-covered pieces.
Thorson broke the record of mid-season wins against Michigan State (373 yards) and Nebraska (455). It's hard to say why his passing yards have shrunk so dramatically in all four games. In addition to Northwestern, he focuses on the race and gets a solid production from the freshman Isaiah Bowser (483 yards in the last four games).
Thorson and Fitzgerald make fun of his statistics. And that's a good thing.
3. This team is ready.
To win the West Saturday, Northwestern was to win as outsider 10 and a half points. Minnesota had to beat Purdue as an 11-point dog. And Wisconsin must have fallen to Penn State. The probability of all this happening was almost 15 to 1, but the veteran UN equipment guru, Curtis Shaner, was prepared. He had his B1G West Division Champions caps made and Fitzgerald ignored all the superstitions by lighting up his transport to Iowa City.
All of this reflects a forward-looking, detail-oriented agenda. Even after scoring five penalties on Saturday, Northwest is ranked first in the category, scoring only 31 times in 10 games.
The Wildcats are confusing the crowd of analysts. They remain 126th out of 130 FBS teams with 4.5 yards per game. The defense allows 5.5 per game, 52nd at the national level. They are minus-1 in the numbers. They have the profile of a team below .500.
But Northwestern wins tight games and takes advantage of its opportunities on Saturday. Two weeks from Saturday, the game will win the Big Ten title, with a place at the Rose Bowl to win.
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein
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