by Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press
If you want to watch beautiful football, don’t DVR Northwestern.
As expected, Saturday’s final tune-up before taking on Ohio State in next week’s Big Ten Championship Game was a throwback to the old fashioned style that has characterized Pat Fitzgerald’s time at his alma mater.
First and foremost, the Wildcats defense was stifling. The frigid weather, swirling winds and sputtering rain acted as a trio of extra defenders, but they didn’t need them. Illinois mustered just 262 total yards and converted 3-of-12 third downs in a 28-10 loss that wasn’t even that close.
While transfer quarterback Peyton Ramsey’s 82 passing yards were pedestrian, he took care of the ball and let the defense do the rest.
When Northwestern needed to move the ball, it relied on the sturdy, consistent duo of running backs Evan Hull and Cam Porter, who rushed for 149 and 142 yards, respectively, and three combined touchdowns. That’s exactly how they’ve built their 6-1 record, and they aren’t going to change.
Is there any way they can do enough to beat an explosive Ohio State offense that is going to be the beneficiary of the conference changing its rules to allow the Buckeyes in the title game? There’s little doubt they’ll be double-digit underdogs, but they’ll make things as difficult on OSU as possible.
Ask Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters, who completed just three of his 14 passing attempts. Isaiah Williams didn’t do a whole lot better, and the Fighting Illini’s leading rusher had just 70 yards.
Yes, the competition is going to skyrocket next weekend, but very little will change about Northwestern’s approach, at least going into the week. It’s going to be extremely ugly if Fitzgerald can help it, and that’s the way they want it. Fitzgerald also believes his team is playing the rightful opponent.
“If I had a vote, Id vote [Ohio State] No. 2 [in the country],” he said, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. “I think theyre a complete football team, all three phasesIm sure we’re going to be underdogs by like 70.”
