B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

[BDawg35]

2026 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK


Oregon’s Austin Novosad had an off day with only 249 yards and one touchdown in a loss to USC in the Big Ten
championship game.

USC, Oregon take Pac-12 rivalry
to Big Ten championship stage

INDIANAPOLIS — It was a Pac-12 takeover of the Big Ten when USC and Oregon met in the 2026 conference championship game.

Oregon was making its third straight appearance in the championship game since the teams came over from the Pac-12, while USC was playing at Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time.

The Trojans showed no sign of being newcomers to the big stage, pulling out a 28-24 victory over the Ducks.

Jayden Maiava was 20-for-30 for 317 yards and four touchdowns for USC. His favorite receiver was Makai Lemon, who caught six passes for 144 yards and a score.

USC won despite gaining only 21 yards on the ground on 17 carries. Down 21-7 after three quarters, USC outscored Oregon 21-3 in the fourth quarter.

Austin Novosad of Oregon was 21-for-33 for 249 yards and one touchdown.

In other Big Ten championship games, Oregon beat Ohio State 27-19 in 2024 and lost 33-21 to Penn State in 2025.

2026 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

Conference USA: Liberty 34, Florida International 28
MAC: Ball State 28, Buffalo 24
Big XII: Iowa State 41, Utah 27
Sun Belt: Southern Miss 38, Georgia Southern 35
SEC: Tennessee 34, Alabama 22
American: Alabama-Birmingham 41, Tulane 30
Mountain West: UNLV 24, Air Force 22
Big Ten: USC 28, Oregon 24
ACC: Florida State 28, Boston College 7

[redsox907]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

this is one of the few ones I've seen USC be more than a footnote in the Big Ten lol

And holy turn around, from 3 points to 41 points lol

I don't know if you should be happier about the defense holding Ohio State down, or more frustrated with the offense for the lack of production.

[BDawg35]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

this is one of the few ones I've seen USC be more than a footnote in the Big Ten lol

And holy turn around, from 3 points to 41 points lol

I don't know if you should be happier about the defense holding Ohio State down, or more frustrated with the offense for the lack of production.

It's super frustrating to be running your plays and getting nothing to show for them. It wasn't exactly like I was serving up a ton of turnovers either. They just shut us down the way you would expect Ohio State to shut down Northwestern. It was fun to be in such a tight battle with such a good team. We are getting very close to something special. I just need to make plays on offense more consistently. The Illinois game was super fun from that standpoint.

[BDawg35]

2026 AWARDS, HEISMAN, BOWL INVITE





Gatkuoth takes home 2 national awards,
snubbed on All-America, All-Big Ten

At this point, B-Dawg has quit trying to figure out EA Sports’ College Football 25 awards system and will just take what he can get.

For the third year in a row, a Northwestern player won a national award.

And, for the third year in a row, that player wasn’t deemed good enough to even make the All-Big Ten Conference first team, let alone the All-America team.

This time it was senior defensive end Nuer Gatkuoth who took home hardware from the College Football Awards Show, but didn’t end up on a first or second team nationally or in the conference.

Gatkuoth was chosen Defensive Player of the Year and Best Defensive End. The Colorado State transfer has 28 solos, 27 assists, 19 tackles for losses, 13.5 sacks and one interception.

In 2024, Northwestern’s Xander Mueller was chosen Best Linebacker but didn’t make one of the teams. In 2025, defensive end Anto Saka really got the shaft, winning Defensive Player of the Year, the Lombardi Award and Best Defensive End without making a team.

Running back Nazir Kush of Northwestern is one of only two true freshmen to make the Freshman All-America team. He and little-used quarterback Forrest Edmond made the Big Ten freshman team.

Kush and center Anthony Birsa were second-team All-Big Ten picks.




Player of the Year: Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee, QB, rJr.
Head Coach of the Year: Chad Butters, Liberty
Best Quarterback: Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee, QB, rJr.
Best Defensive Player: Nuer Gatkuoth, Northwestern, DE, rSr.
Best Defensive Back: Marcelles Williams, USC, CB, rSoph.
Best Running Back: Cameron Seldon, Tennessee, HB, Sr.
Best Receiver: Christopher Barnes, Washington State, WR, rSoph.
Lombardi Award: Elijah Rushing, Oregon, De, Jr.
Unitas Golden Arm: Ty Simpson, Alabama, QB, rSr.
Best Defensive End: Nuer Gatkuoth, Northwestern, DE, rSr.
Best Interior Lineman: Bryce Lovett, Florida, OG, Jr.
Best Tight End: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon, TE, rSr.
Broyles Award: Victor Cotterill, Liberty, DC
Best Linebacker: Jon Hightower, Alabama-Birmingham, OLB, rJr.
Best Center: Brady Small, Army, Sr.
Lou Groza Award: Brian Folkerts, Air Force, K, Soph.
Best Punter: Rhys Dakin, Iowa, P, Jr.
Best Returner: Dedrick Latulas, Louisiana Tech, WR, Sr.




FIRST TEAM
QB, Ty Simpson, Alabama, rSr.
HB, Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, Sr.
HB, Jambres Dubar, Boise State, Sr.
WR, Christopher Barnes, Washington State, rSoph.
WR, Jalen Pope, Oklahoma State, rJr.
WR, Chrishon McCray, Clemson, rSr.
TE, Jelani Thurman, Ohio State, Sr.
OT, Jalen Klemm, Arizona State, rSr.
OT, Fletcher Westphal, Florida, rSoph.
OG, Caleb Holmes, Pittsburgh, Jr.
OG, Bryce Lovett, Florida, Jr.
C, Parker Brailsford, Alabama, rSr.
DE, T.J. Parker, Clemson, Sr.
DE, Kelby Collins, Florida, Sr.
DT, John Walker, Central Florida, Sr.
DT, DJ Hicks, Texas A&M, Sr.
OLB, Jamal Anderson, Clemson, Sr.
MLB, Kyngston Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame, Jr.
OLB, Anthony Hill, Texas, Sr.
CB, Amorion Walker, Michigan, rSr.
CB, D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana, Sr.
FS, Khalil Barnes, Clemson, Sr.
SS, Kylin Jackson, LSU, rJr.
K, Alex McPherson, Auburn, rSr.
P, Ryan Eckley, Michigan State, rSr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Avery Johnson, Kansas State, Sr.
HB, Makhi Hughes, Tulane, rSr.
HB, Jimmy Doyle, Arizona, Soph.
WR, Denzel Boston, Washington, rSr.
WR, Zion Kearney, Oklahoma, rSoph.
WR, Ja’Kobi Lane, USC, rJr.
TE, Jerry Cross, Penn State, rSr.
OT, J’ven Williams, Penn State, rJr.
OT, Bo Hughley, Georgia, rJr.
OG, TJ Ferguson, Florida State, rSr.
OG, Zach Rice, North Carolina, rSr.
C, Hank Zilinskas, Colorado, Sr.
DE, Jordan Allen, Kansas State, rJr.
DE, Tim Booker, Wisconsin, Soph.
DT, Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, Texas A&M, rSr.
DT, Stephiylan Green, Clemson, rJr.
OLB, Adarius Hayes, The U, Jr.
MLB, Aaron Chiles, Florida, Jr.
OLB, Trey Lathan, West Virginia
CB, Tay’Shawn Wilson, Baylor, rSoph.
CB, Camrin Cole, Fresno State, rSoph.
FS, Mose Phillips, Virginia Tech, Sr.
SS, Aaron Flowers, Oregon, Jr.
K, John Love, Virginia Tech, rSr.
P, Declan Duley, Illinois, rJr.

FRESHMAN
QB, Rudy Lehr, UNLV, rFr.
HB, Nazir Kush, Northwestern, Fr.
HB, Mitchell Ladd, Oregon, rFr.
WR, Tony Garvin, UCLA, rFr.
WR, Ray Gustin, Louisiana, rFr.
WR, Shaq Hurley, Oklahoma, rFr.
TE, Esteban Pianalto, UCLA, rFr.
OT, Iosefa Iloka, Stanford, rFr.
OT, Jason Abreu, Oregon, rFr.
OG, Rico Estandia, Texas, rFr.
OG, Matthew Snow, Alabama-Birmingham, rFr.
C, Levi Hurt, Notre Dame, rFr.
DE, Mike Banks, Tulane, rFr.
DE, Morgan Terrill, California, rFr.
DT, Emanuel Herron, North Carolina State, rFr.
DT, Damarius Tolson, Louisville, Fr.
OLB, Darien Newton, Michigan State, rFr.
MLB, Spencer Pelshak, Penn State, rFr.
OLB, Devin Mihlhauser, Alabama, rFr.
CB, Brian Countess, Ohio State, rFr.
CB, Wayne Cole, East Carolina, rFr.
FS, Ben Puente, The U, rFr.
SS, Dexter Gentry, Syracuse, rFr.
K, Nate Lynch, Fresno State, rFr.
P, Jayson Wagoner, Sam Houston, rFr.




FIRST TEAM
QB, Justyn Martin, UCLA, rSr.
HB, Jahiem White, Penn State, Sr.
HB, Dilin Jones, Wisconsin, rSoph.
WR, Denzel Boston, Washington, rSr.
WR, Ja’Kobi Lane, USC, rJr.
WR, Tony Garvin, UCLA, rFr.
TE, Jelani Thurman, Ohio State, Sr.
OT, J’ven Williams, Penn State, rJr.
OT, Jacob Hood, Nebraska, rSr.
OG, Justin Evans, Nebraska, rSr.
OG, Alex Birchmeier, Penn State, rJr.
C, Iapani Laloulu, Oregon, rSr.
DE, Ernest Willor, Wisconsin, rSoph.
DE, Tim Booker, Wisconsin, Soph.
DT, Aaron Graves, Iowa, rSr.
DT, Jason Moore, Ohio State, rSr.
OLB, Cole Sullivan, Michigan, Jr.
MLB, Kam Robinson, Ohio State, Sr.
OLB, Tony Rojas, Penn State, Sr.
CB, Amorion Walker, Michigan, rSr.
CB, D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana, Sr.
FS, Kerry Brown, Minnesota, rJr.
SS, Aaron Flowers, Oregon, Jr.
K, David Olano, Illinois, Sr.
P, Ryan Eckley, Michigan State, rSr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Austin Novosad, Oregon, rJr.
HB, Nazir Kush, Northwestern, Fr.
HB, Cole Cabana, Michigan, rSr.
WR, Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Jr.
WR, Justius Lowe, Oregon, rSr.
WR, Josiah Brown, Penn State, rSoph.
TE, Jerry Cross, Penn State, rSr.
OT, Soane Faasolo, Washington, rJr.
OT, Spencer Fano, Washington, Sr.
OG, Joe Brunner, Wisconsin, rSr.
OG, Luke Montgomery, Ohio State, rJr.
C, Anthony Birsa, Northwestern, rSr.
DE, Aydin Breland, Oregon, Jr.
DE, Joshua Mickens, Ohio State, rSr.
DT, Riley Van Poppel, Nebraska, Sr.
DT, Armon Parker, Washington, rSr.
OLB, Jordan Hall, Michigan State, rSr.
MLB, Sebastian Cheeks, Wisconsin, rSr.
OLB, Devon Jackson, Oregon, rSr.
CB, Antonio White, Rutgers, rSoph.
CB, Shakim Howard, Nebraska, rSoph.
FS, Kamari Ramsey, USC, rSr.
SS, Antonio Gaskins, Illinois, Jr.
K, Spencer Porath, Purdue, Jr.
P, Declan Duley, Illinois, rJr.

FRESHMAN
QB, Forrest Edmond, Northwestern, rFr.
HB, Nazir Kush, Northwestern, Fr.
HB, Mitchell Ladd, Oregon, rFr.
WR, Tony Garvin, UCLA, rFr.
WR, Ernie Payne, Washington, rFr.
WR, Hunter Doss, Wisconsin, rFr.
TE, Esteban Pianalto, UCLA, rFr.
OT, Danny Warmack, Penn State, rFr.
OT, Jason Abreu, Oregon, rFr.
OG, Keenen Brees, Michigan, Fr.
OG, Austin Gessner, Michigan, rFr.
C, Dwight Thorne, Iowa, rFr.
DE, Charlie Head, Nebraska, Fr.
DE, Jamie Rossouw, Iowa, rFr.
DT, Cassidy Cruise, Penn State, Fr.
DT, Joseph Filipovic, Michigan, rFr.
OLB, Darien Newton, Michigan State, rFr.
MLB, Spencer Pelshak, Penn State, rFr.
OLB, David Donaghy, Michigan State, rFr.
CB, Brian Countess, Ohio State, rFr.
CB, Andres Machiela, Oregon, rFr.
FS, Ryan Willingham, Penn State, rFr.
SS, Cedrick Jerman, UCLA, rFr.
K, Artie Johnson, Penn State, Fr.
P, Brian Ninkovich, Indiana, rFr.





Tennessee junior QB wins Heisman

NEW YORK — Nick Iamaleava of Tennessee has a chance to become a two-time Heisman Trophy winner and put up crazy career numbers if he returns for his senior year.

Iamaleava is the 2026 Heisman winner, emerging with the bronze trophy in a year in which five quarterbacks were invited to the Downtown Athletic Club.

A three-year starter, Iamaleava has thrown for 10,120 yards, 96 touchdowns and only 15 interceptions. He’s also run for 17 touchdowns.

In 2026, he has gone 274-for-388 for 3,503 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s run 102 times for 554 yards and six scores.

Whether he returns will give us a clue on how prevalent players leaving early for the NFL Draft is in College Football 25, because the 92 OVR Iamaleava seems like he’s ready for Madden.

NICO IAMALEAVA, Tennessee, QB, rJr., 92 OVR
2026 stats: 274-for-388, 3,503 yards, 33 TD, 6 int.; 102 carries, 554 yards, 6 TD

TY SIMPSON, Alabama, QB, rSr., 87 OVR
2026 stats: 290-for-429, 4,013 yards, 41 TD, 4 int.; 109 carries, 319 yards, 7 TD

AVERY JOHNSON, Kansas State, QB, Sr., 92 OVR
2026 stats: 222-for-321, 3,020 yards, 27 TD, 6 int.; 125 carries, 598 yards, 12 TD

AUSTIN NOVOSAD, Oregon, QB, rJr., 90 OVR
2026 stats: 272-for-408, 3,683 yards, 31 TD, 3 int.; 95 carries, 368 yards, 2 TD

JUSTYN MARTIN, UCLA, QB, rSr., 87 OVR
2026 stats: 276-for-426, 3,770 yards, 37 TD, 8 int.; 64 carries, 287 yards, 2 TD

[RyanLeaf16]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

Three years in a row going bowling! The awards system in CFB 25 is a joke, hopefully it is "tuned" for 26.

Boe painted a masterpiece for the Illinois game. 20-22 and ZERO INTs!?!? A bowl game is a bowl game, but...gotta win to avoid a losing season, don't want that seat to get "warm".

[BDawg35]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

Three years in a row going bowling! The awards system in CFB 25 is a joke, hopefully it is "tuned" for 26.

Boe painted a masterpiece for the Illinois game. 20-22 and ZERO INTs!?!? A bowl game is a bowl game, but...gotta win to avoid a losing season, don't want that seat to get "warm".

Knowing I may struggle for a few years, I gave myself job security by turning off the ability to be fired. That's not going to make me complacent. Like, if I signed a multi-million-dollar long-term contract, I would keep grinding to prove I deserve it.

Any time I can have zero turnovers, it's like a 90% win probability.

Thanks for your continued support of this little addiction of mine.

[BDawg35]

2026 SEASON - BOWL GAME




Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe scores on the winning 2-yard run in overtime.


Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe flexes after running for the winning touchdown in overtime.


Senior right tackle Jordan Knox (75) had 21 pancakes, tying B-Dawg’s single-game record.


Senior right tackle Jordan Knox (75) had 21 pancakes, tying B-Dawg’s single-game record.


Northwestern CB-WR Josh Fussell hauls in a 75-yard touchdown catch as time expires in the first half.


Arizona’s Devin Hyatt gets wide open for an 86-yard touchdown catch with 3:32 left in the fourth quarter.


Arizona’s Demetrius Freeney grabs an interception that he took 67 yards to the house.


Northwestern receiver Carson Grove opens the scoring with a 9-yard run on an end-around.


Northwestern linebacker Matthew Smith sacks Arizona quarterback Brayden Dorman.

THROWBACK OFFENSE
Northwestern runs football 69 times,
wins Independence Bowl in overtime

SHREVEPORT, La. — Somewhere, old-school Big Ten Conference football coaches like Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler and Barry Alvarez were smiling.

Yes, a team that isn’t a service academy can run the ball successfully 69 times in this day and age.

Northwestern established a physical tone by running the ball on its first 18 plays of the game, built a 17-7 lead through three quarters, then overcame a furious Arizona rally to win 30-27 in overtime in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 25, 2026.

(Yes, EA scheduled this game for Christmas Day.)

Quarterback Ryan Boe’s 2-yard run in overtime gave Northwestern a bowl victory for the second year in a row. It also gave the Wildcats 304 yards on the ground, 208 of which came from freshman running back Nazir Kush on a whopping 43 carries.

That workload proved to be too much for Kush, who wasn’t around in overtime.

“I hope he gets stronger in the offseason and doesn’t have to tap out of games,” B-Dawg said. “This is football. This is how I want to run my offense. Maybe we’ll shoot for a game with 70 carries next year.”

You can’t speak of the ground game’s success without throwing some love at 84 OVR senior right tackle Jordan Knox. Knox tied what many thought was an unbreakable record by registering 21 pancakes. Western Michigan’s Dominic Moran had 21 pancakes against Akron on Oct. 21, 2006 in NCAA 2006 for B-Dawg’s long-held single-game record.

NCAA 2006 gave out pancakes like IHOP. Moran also had B-Dawg’s single-season (147) and career (204) pancake records in only three seasons. The previous record for this dynasty was 14 by Knox against Penn State this season.

“Jordan was just a beast up front,” B-Dawg said. “We ran a lot of our power in the Maryland-I behind him and consistently got nice chunks of yardage. If I ever get a 90-plus OVR lineman, I can only imagine what the pancake totals will be. I never thought anyone would get to 21 again, because getting to double figures has been exceedingly rare in the versions of NCAA Football that followed 2006.”

Although the ground game was the featured attraction, Northwestern had a rare deep ball for a touchdown on the final play of the first half.

Arizona had just tied the game 7-7 with nine seconds left in the first half on an 86-yard pass from Brayden Dorman to Devin Hyatt.

Unwilling to just take it and head into the locker room without a fight, B-Dawg schemed to give his team a shot at a Hail Mary. He called for a fair catch, hoping for time to run two plays. After a pass was nearly picked off, he called timeout to get a five-wide formation with speedy cornerbacks Josh Fussell and Timi Oke on the field.

B-Dawg called a streak to Fussell and hit him for a 75-yard touchdown pass at the buzzer.

“I’ve seen the CPU do that to me so many times, including in this game,” B-Dawg said. “It was nice to be able to do it once. Of course, Josh has 98 SPD. I’m not going to always have someone with those kind of wheels.”

Fussell’s touchdown gave Northwestern a 14-7 halftime lead. A field goal by Enrique Swaim in the third quarter put the Wildcats up 17-7 heading into the fourth.

With B-Dawg chilling at the sticks without a care in the world, an old nemesis — the pick-six — reared its ugly head.

After converting a fourth-and-one, B-Dawg called for a drag route to Fussell. The route was jumped by Demetrius Freeney, who took the interception 67 yards to the house with 10:19 left in the game.

Now leading by only three points, the Wildcats went back to what had been working so well and grinded out a 16-play, 78-yard drive that consumed 6:34. The game appeared to be in hand when Kush scored on a 1-yard run with 3:45 remaining to make it a 24-14 game.

But the Wildcats never had a chance to breathe easily. On the first play of Arizona’s next drive, Dorman hit Devin Hyatt for an 86-yard touchdown down the left side with 3:32 left in the game.

Facing third-and-11 from their own 45, the Wildcats ran a reverse with receiver Carson Grove for only a two-yard gain. An injury stopped the clock with 54 seconds left, giving Arizona precious time to work some end-game magic.

AJ Jones caught a 24-yard pass on third-and-seven and Hyatt grabbed a 34-yard pass with eight seconds left. Dorman spiked the ball, allowing Nick DiNapoli a chance to kick the tying 35-yard field goal with one second left.

Northwestern won the toss in overtime and elected to play defense first.

Arizona elected to kick a field goal on fourth-and-one, a foolish mistake as it turned out.

In two key situations in overtime, B-Dawg had Boe run the ball out of a five-wide formation. Boe converted a third-and-four before scoring the winning touchdown on QB Blast from the same formation on fourth-and-goal.

Arizona had only four linemen guarding the run, with everyone else occupied with the receivers.

“This may be our new goal-line money play if the CPU refuses to account for the quarterback run,” B-Dawg said. “This was the most fun game I’ve played so far in College Football 25. We scored on an end-around, we scored on a bomb, we blew and lead and fought back to win. It wouldn’t have been so much fun had they beaten us, but the back-and-forth nature late in the game and variety of scoring plays made it pretty exciting.”

Arizona had six players with double-digit tackles because Northwestern had 89 total plays on offense.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Jordan Knox 21 pancakes, 0 sacks; Idrys Cotton 7-0; Jaelen Camarda 6-0; Kyle Baity 5-0; Anthony Birsa 5-0; Shawn Boyett 5-0; Simon Silva 2-0; Josh Fussell 1-0; Taylor Jackson 1-0; Camp Magee 1-0; Julius Hazel 1-0; Jaylen Love 1-0.

[RyanLeaf16]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

69 rush attempts along with an efficient passing game is a beautiful thing. Sounds like Jordan Knox made himself some digital coin at the next level with those 21 pancake blocks. Keep 'crootin' those power OL kids and you'll be able to keep playing bully ball against the "Blue Bloods" of the college football world.

[redsox907]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

Kush with the throwback performance to keep the momentum going into the offseason!

As Ryan said, award system is busted lol I've had Heisman winners not be All-Americans

[BDawg35]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

69 rush attempts along with an efficient passing game is a beautiful thing. Sounds like Jordan Knox made himself some digital coin at the next level with those 21 pancake blocks. Keep 'crootin' those power OL kids and you'll be able to keep playing bully ball against the "Blue Bloods" of the college football world.

69 rushes is a thing of beauty! Made me weep tears of joy!

Thank you for your continued support!

Kush with the throwback performance to keep the momentum going into the offseason!

As Ryan said, award system is busted lol I've had Heisman winners not be All-Americans

Yeah, it's crazy. I haven't had a Heisman winner yet, but I've seen Heisman winners not be Player of the Year at their position.

Thank you for checking in again. I'll keep posting as long as I have two readers!

[BDawg35]

2026 BOWL SEASON/PLAYOFF/FINAL RANKINGS



FIRST ROUND

ALABAMA 35, FLORIDA STATE 13: Alabama led 7-6 at halftime and 14-6 going into the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide won despite gaining only 46 yards on 24 carries. Ty Simpson went 18-for-30 for 282 yards, two touchdowns and one pick for Alabama. Jalen Halen caught six passes for 103 yards and a score.

UTAH 45, LIBERTY 43 (2 OT): Utah outscored Liberty 11-9 in overtime, but EA Sports didn’t give us scoring summaries to let us know how the game was won. Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson threw five touchdown passes, going 27-for-36 for 363 yards. Neeko Wynn had nine catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Burger was 26-for-35 for 380 yards, four touchdowns and a pick for Liberty.

KANSAS STATE 20, OREGON 13: Kansas State outscored Oregon 14-0 in the fourth quarter to win on the road. Avery Johnson was sacked five times, but went 16-for-23 for 206 yards and a touchdown for Kansas State. Jayce Brown caught six passes for 101 yards and a score. Austin Novosad of Oregon was sacked four times and went 14-for-24 for 141 yards and a touchdown.

CINCINNATI 37, MASSACHUSETTS 17: Cincinnati won a game that was an absolute ratings killer. Brendan Sorsby was 15-for-22 for 174 yards and three touchdowns for The ‘Nati. Ahmad Haston of Massachusetts was 22-for-45 for 259 yards, two touchdowns and two picks.

QUARTERFINALS

TENNESSEE 21, UTAH 19 (Orange Bowl): Tennessee came back from a 10-7 halftime deficit. Heisman winner Nico Iamaleava was 13-for-20 for 242 yards, two touchdowns and no picks, while Cameron Seldon ran 15 times for 109 yards and a touchdown for the Vols. Utah’s Isaac Wilson was 19-for-31 for 292 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

ALABAMA 44, ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM 31 (Peach Bowl): Alabama beat its in-state rival in the quarterfinals for the second straight year. The Crimson Tide won 35-30 in the Sugar Bowl last season. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was 17-for-28 for 181 yards, three touchdowns and one pick while running nine times for 74 yards. Tucker Brown ran 14 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns for the Crimson Tide.

IOWA STATE 24, CINCINNATI 21 (Fiesta Bowl): Iowa State got out to a 21-10 lead after three quarters and held on. Dylan Lee was a workhorse for Iowa State, running 28 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Rocco Becht was 12-for-20 for 169 yards and a touchdown for the Cyclones.

USC 38, KANSAS STATE 17 (Cotton Bowl): USC quarterback Jayden Maiava was 18-for-27 for 295 yards and one touchdown. Quinten Joyner ran only nine times for 45 yards, but found the end zone four times. Kansas State’s Avery Johnson was 25-for-37 for 306 yards, two touchdowns and a pick.


SEMIFINALS

ALABAMA 31, IOWA STATE 24 (Sugar Bowl): Ty Simpson overcame three interceptions, going 23-for-34 for 348 yards and three touchdowns. Emmanuel Henderson caught seven passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, while Ryan Williams caught nine passes for 136 yards and a score. Iowa State’s Alphonso Drummond caught five passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. The game was tied 24-24 going into the fourth quarter.

USC 42, TENNESSEE 32 (Rose Bowl): USC’s Jayden Maiava was 31-for-41 for 351 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Dom Feeny ran for two touchdowns, while Makai Lemon caught six passes for 111 yards and a score. Heisman winner Nico Iamaleava was 20-for-34 for 317 yards, one touchdown and one pick for Tennessee.


NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

ALABAMA 28, USC 25: Two teams with a tradition of great running backs didn’t do much on the ground, choosing to air it out. Ty Simpson was 22-for-31 for 296 yards and two touchdowns for Alabama. Jayden Maiava of USC was 24-for-32 for 314 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. USC trailed 21-7 through three quarters, but its 18-point fourth quarter wasn’t enough.




2026 BOWL GAMES
WEEK 1
Birmingham Bowl: Southern Miss 26, Boston College 7
LA Bowl: Iowa 24, Air Force 17
Frisco Bowl: Tulsa 23, South Alabama 20
First Responder Bowl: Tulane 38, Louisiana 10
Fenway Bowl: The U 38, Florida Atlantic 7
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Oregon State 49, Western Michigan 21
Bahamas Bowl: Arkansas State 31, Florida International 20
CFP first round: Alabama 35, Florida State 13
Cure Bowl: Toledo 41, Texas State 7
CFP first round: Utah 45, Liberty 43
New Mexico Bowl: Middle Tennessee 20, UNLV 13
Las Vegas Bowl: Michigan 23, Baylor 6
CFP first round: Kansas State 20, Oregon 13
68 Ventures Bowl: Buffalo 44, Appalachian State 24
CFP first round: Cincinnati 37, Massachusetts 17
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Connecticut 17, San Jose State 14
Boca Raton Bowl: East Carolina 24, North Carolina State 20
Detroit Bowl: Ohio State 45, Central Michigan 6
New Orleans Bowl: Notre Dame 44, Louisiana Tech 10
Hawaii Bowl: Utah State 28, New Mexico 7
Gasparilla Bowl: Virginia 42, New Mexico State 14
Independence Bowl: Northwestern 30, Arizona 27 (OT)
Armed Forces Bowl: Boise State 31, Washington State 14
Texas Bowl: Central Florida 31, Florida 23
Military Bowl: Charlotte 28, North Carolina 20
Liberty Bowl: Colorado 34, North Texas 32
Holiday Bowl: UCLA 36, Virginia Tech 29
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Fresno State 44, Houston 10
Camellia Bowl: Ball State 34, Georgia Southern 14
Pop-Tarts Bowl: SMU 31, Texas Tech 14
Alamo Bowl: TCU 22, Nebraska 21
Gator Bowl: Oklahoma 42, California 21
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Texas A&M 27, Georgia Tech 17
Arizona Bowl: Northern Illinois 34, Hawaii 17
Sun Bowl: Eastern Michigan 24, Ohio 21
Reliaquest Bowl: Penn State 31, South Carolina 24
Citrus Bowl: Texas 27, Washington 21
WEEK 2
Orange Bowl: Tennessee 21, Utah 19
Cotton Bowl: USC 38, Kansas State 17
Peach Bowl: Alabama 44, Alabama-Birmingham 31
Fiesta Bowl: Iowa State 24, Cincinnati 21
Music City Bowl: Mississippi 28, Navy 10
WEEK 3
Sugar Bowl: Alabama 31, Iowa State 24
Rose Bowl: USC 42, Tennessee 32
WEEK 4
The Natty: Alabama 28, USC 25


2026 FINAL ASSOCIATED PRESS RANKINGS

1. Alabama (65), 16-1
2. USC, 12-4
3. Oregon, 12-2
4. Tennessee, 12-3
5. Iowa State, 11-4
6. Alabama-Birmingham, 11-3
7. Cincinnati, 10-4
8. Liberty, 12-2
9. Utah, 10-5
10. Massachusetts, 9-4
11. Penn State, 9-4
12. Kansas State, 10-4
13. Florida State, 9-5
14. Michigan, 9-4
15. Oklahoma, 9-4
16. Mississippi, 9-4
17. Oregon State, 9-4
18. The U, 9-4
19. Clemson, 8-4
20. Southern Mississippi, 12-2
21. San Jose State, 9-4
22. Colorado, 9-4
23. Louisiana, 9-4
24. Boston College, 8-6
25. Iowa, 9-4


2026 FINAL COACHES’ RANKINGS
1. Alabama (61), 16-1
2. USC, 12-4
3. Oregon, 12-2
4. Tennessee, 12-3
5. Alabama-Birmingham, 11-3
6. Iowa State, 11-4
7. Utah, 10-5
8. Cincinnati, 10-4
9. Liberty, 12-2
10. Massachusetts, 9-4
11. Kansas State, 10-4
12. Penn State, 98-4
13. Michigan, 9-4
14. Florida State, 9-5
15. Mississippi, 9-4
16. Oklahoma, 9-4
17. Oregon State, 98-4
18. The U, 9-4
19. Clemson, 8-4
20. Southern Mississippi, 12-2
21. San Jose State, 9-4
22. Colorado, 9-4
23. Boston College, 8-6
24. Louisiana, 9-4
25. Utah State, 8-5

[BDawg35]

2026 SEASON RECAP

2026 RECAP

Team ratings: 80 OVR, 80 offense, 80 defense
Preseason ranking: Unranked
Final ranking: Unranked
Record: 7-6, 4-5 Big Ten (T-10th)
Bowl game: Northwestern 30, Arizona 27, OT (Independence Bowl)
Award winners: DE Nuer Gatkuoth (Best Defensive Player, Best Defensive End)
First-team All-America: None
Second-team All-America: None
Freshman All-America: HB Nazir Kush
First-team All-Big Ten: None
Second-team All-Big Ten: HB Nazir Kush, C Anthony Birsa
Freshman All-Big Ten: QB Forrest Edmond, HB Nazir Kush
Passing leader: Ryan Boe 265-for-440, 2,629 yards, 13 TD, 13 int.
Rushing leader: Nazir Kush 322 carries, 1,255 yards, 11 TD
Receiving leader: Jaylen Love 60 catches, 668 yards, 4 TD
Defense: Matthew Smith 120 tackles; Nuer Gatkuoth 19 TFL, 13.5 sacks; Tito Williams 4 interceptions, 12 deflections
Synopsis: It felt like Northwestern took a step backwards in 2026. Certainly, the Wildcats didn’t progress like you’d hope in the third season of a dynasty. Northwestern lost three straight games late in the season, needing a victory over Illinois in the regular-season finale to qualify for a bowl game. The Wildcats routed Illinois and earned a berth in the Independence Bowl, winning in overtime over Arizona. Northwestern has a future star on its hands in running back Nazir Kush, who ran for 1,255 yards as a true freshman. If he stays healthy, he could threaten B-Dawg’s all-time record. Defensive end Nuer Gatkuoth came over from Colorado State and won Defensive Player of the Year and Best Defensive End.

[BDawg35]

2026 DEARLY DEPARTED




Northwestern sophomore Timi Oke, who played receiver and cornerback, is transferring.

Timi Oke taking his 95 SPD elsewhere

Northwestern will be losing its two speediest players following the 2026 season.

One was expected, the other wasn’t.

Josh Fussell and Timi Oke are cornerbacks who played the Travis Hunter role for Northwestern, also seeing significant action at wide receiver.

Fussell, he of the 98 SPD, is graduating and is projected to be a fifth-round pick in Madden.

Oke, on the other hand, is doing a “peace, out.” He is transferring because of “playing style” and could not be persuaded to return. Oke will take his 95 SPD elsewhere. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Northwestern coach B-Dawg was able to get free safety Sean Martin to return. He also had concerns over “playing style.”

Northwestern’s secondary could have issues next season with the losses of Oke, Fussell and 84 OVR senior Cole Shivers.

The offensive line will also take a hit with the graduation of Jordan Knox and Anthony Birsa, the unit’s highest-rated players.

TIMI OKE, CB, rSoph., 80 OVR
2026 stats: 68 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 int., 2 def.; 30 catches, 315 yards, 3 TD

SEAN MARTIN, FS, rSoph., 78 OVR
2026 stats: 9 tackles

JOSH FUSSELL, CB, 87 OVR
2026 stats: 69 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 int., 6 def., 1 FF, 1 TD; 34 catches, 505 yards, 3 TD

COLE SHIVERS, CB, 84 OVR
2026 stats: 69 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 int., 11 def.

CALEB KOMOLAFE, HB, 84 OVR
2026 stats: 103 carries, 447 yards, 7 TD; 13 catches, 124 yards, 1 TD

ANTHONY BIRSA, C, 84 OVR

JORDAN KNOX, OT, 84 OVR

NUER GATKUOTH, DE, 82 OVR
2026 stats: 57 tackles, 19 TFL, 13.5 sacks, 1 int., 1 def., 2 FF, 3 FR

MICHAEL KILBANE, DE, 81 OVR
2026 stats: None

EIAN PUGH, WR, 81 OVR
2026 stats: 37 catches, 260 yards, 0 TD

FRANK COVEY, WR, 80 OVR
2026 stats: 7 catches, 63 yards, 0 TD

BRENDAN McINTOSH, MLB, 79 OVR
2026 stats: 98 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 int., 7 def., 1 FF, 1 FR

TYLER GANT, DT, 79 OVR
2026 stats: 13 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FR

AIDAN GRAY, QB, 79 OVR
2026 stats: 27-for-53, 209 yards, 1 TD, 2 int.; 1 carry, minus-10 yards, 0 TD

CAMP MAGEE, TE, 77 OVR
2026 stats: 21 catches, 193 yards, 2 TD

RAMON MORALES, WR, 76 OVR
2026 stats: 4 catches, 34 yards, 0 TD

JULIUS HAZEL, TE, 68 OVR
2026 stats: 9 catches, 35 yards, 0 TD

[BDawg35]

CLASS OF 2027 RECRUITING




Jameel Croft is leaving Kansas for Northwestern.

Wildcats land 4-star Kansas corner

Northwestern lost its top three cornerbacks, but took a big step toward shoring up that position by grabbing Jameel Croft from Kansas out of the transfer portal.

Croft is a four-star transfer who has two years of eligibility remaining. B-Dawg's Michigan ties paid off in landing the former Detroit King star.

The Wildcats lost three talented cornerbacks, Josh Fussell and Cole Shivers to graduation and Timi Oke to the transfer portal.

Northwestern raided the Big Ten Conference in the portal, with six of its eight acquisitions coming from within the conference.

In high school recruiting, the Wildcats ranked 41st in the country.

IN-SEASON RECRUITS
VERNON STARR, QB-7, 6-5, 203, Novi, Mich., 4 stars
GIDEON PENA, QB-20, 6-1, 203, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 4 stars
LEON DICKER, ATH-140, 6-1, 172, Paw Paw, Mich., 4 stars
BRAYDEN MONTGOMERY, HB-134, 5-10, 172, Flossmoor, Ill., 3 stars
ROBERT PARKER, OG-34, 6-3, 284, Chicago, Ill., 3 stars
NICK STODDARD, TE-69, 6-2, 253, Chicago, Ill., 3 stars
NILES MOUNT, OG-56, 6-3, 299, Evergreen Park, Ill., 3 stars
LARRY TAMM, CB-199, 5-10, 187, Belleville, Mich., 2 stars
ALEX ESTES, C-82, 6-0, 300, Helotes, Texas, 2 stars
RONNIE TALBOT, OT-149, 6-6, 3100, Detroit, Mich., 2 stars

OFFSEASON RECRUITS
J.T. GARIBAY, OT-99, 6-7, 296, Joliet, Ill., 3 stars
CHRISTIAN RUNYAN, DT-114, 6-4, 287, Natick, Mass., 2 stars
XAVIER TUBBS, SS-71, 6-0, 201, Las Vegas, Nev., 2 stars
DANNY BASS, TE-135, 6-3, 226, Oswego, Ill., 2 stars
TAVON LENON, MLB-81, 6-0, 218, Bolingbrook, Ill., 3 stars
BRENDAN WICKS, WR-174, 5-11, 174, Naperville, Ill., 3 stars
KAMERON BOURNE, K-18, 6-0, 170, Marengo, Ill., 3 stars
NAJEE RICKS, ATH-131, 6-1, 245, Havana, Fla., 2 stars

TRANSFER PORTAL
JAMEEL CROFT, CB-4, 6-0, 180, Detroit, Mich., Soph., 4 stars (KANSAS)
BROCK CASTONZO, OG-14, 6-2, 295, Olney, Md., Fr., 2 stars (PITTSBURGH)
JOJO HAYDEN, MLB-6, 6-2, 225, East St. Louis, Ill., Jr., 3 stars (ILLINOIS)
DEON BARRY, OG-15, 6-3, 315, Hinsdale, Ill., Fr., 3 stars (PURDUE)
JEREMIAH WARREN, DE-5, 6-3, 305, Belleville, Mich., Jr., 3 stars (ILLINOIS)
JIMMY NORTMAN, DE-15, 6-5, 248, Grand Blanc, Mich., Fr., 3 stars (INDIANA)


TOP CLASS OF 2027 RECRUITING CLASSES

1. Clemson
2. Oregon
3. Penn State
4. Georgia
5. LSU
6. The U
7. USC
8. Texas
9. Alabama
10. Notre Dame
11. Wisconsin
12. Ohio State
13. Tennessee
14. Mississippi
15. Texas Christian
16. Virginia Tech
17. Kentucky
18. Texas A&M
19. Michigan
20. Arkansas
21. Oklahoma
22. Kansas State
23. Nebraska
24. Syracuse
25. Utah
29. UCLA
32. Maryland
33. Washington
35. Iowa
40. Michigan State
41. NORTHWESTERN
46. Illinois
55. Minnesota
56. Rutgers
62. Indiana
98. Purdue
134. Kent State


TOP CLASS OF 2027 PROSPECTS

1. TYRIQUE GRAVES, OLB, 6-2, 236, Miami, Fla. (GEORGIA)
2. ERIC GUMBS, DT, 6-5, 301, Orlando, Fla. (THE U)
3. JOSH EUHUS, ATH, 6-4, 303, Rockmart, Ga. (CLEMSON)
4. DAKOTA POE, CB, 5-11, 190, Johnston, Iowa (WISCONSIN)
5. JOEL AMELL, CB, 5-11, 199, Chatsworth, Calif. (OREGON)
6. JOSH PRYOR, FS, 6-2, 208, Johnstown, Ohio (OHIO STATE)
7 AMANI WANOGHO, OLB, 6-3, 226, Covington, Ga. (GEORGIA)
8. CAM O’MALLEY, SS, 6-0, 192, Bronx, N.Y. (PENN STATE)
9. BEN SHARP, OT, 6-8, 332, Louisville, Ky. (ALABAMA)
10. GEORGE GALIPPO, WR, 5-11, 202, Richmond, Texas (MISSISSIPPI)


POSITION CHANGES

Brandon Henderson, 80 OVR OG to 81 OVR OT
Idrys Cotton, 79 OVR OG to 79 OVR C
Jojo Hayden, 78 OVR MLB to 79 OVR OLB
Vonn Waddy, 75 OVR FS to 47 OVR WR
Sean Martin, 78 OVR FS to 78 OVR SS
Xavier Tubbs, 60 OVR SS to 60 OVR FS

[redsox907]

Re: B-Dawg's Northwestern Wildcats: Navigating the new Big Ten in CFB25

tough blow losing Oke to the portal, but you rebounded nicely with some other additions. I love raiding conference opponents for players, adds that extra juice to a rivalry