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

[BDawg35]

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

GL against Oregon. I've played them a handful of times and it tends to be one extreme or the other. Either they making you want to break your controller, or your scoffing at how inept they are lol.

I was SHOCKED I was able to limit them to three field goals the first time I played them and two in the first half the second time. The Oregon team that the game seems to love in simmed results and team ratings finally showed up in the second half. I expect one extreme or the other again, maybe both in the same game.

[BDawg35]

2027 BIG TEN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME




Northwestern players celebrate with the Big Ten Conference championship trophy after beating Oregon.


Northwestern running back Jakori McFarland scores the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run with 3:17 left.


The winning touchdown was set up when Northwestern cornerback Jameel Croft picked off a pass …


… and returned it 84 yards to the 1-yard line with 3:19 left.


Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe celebrates after scoring a touchdown that ignited a 21-0 fourth-quarter rally
with 9:09 left.


Northwestern receiver Carson Grove scores on a 2-yard pass with 6:21 left.


Northwestern safety Tito Williams breaks up a fourth-down pass in the end zone with 1:08 left.


Northwestern’s Jaylen Love clinches the victory by making a third-and-six catch with 57 seconds left.


Northwestern lineman Troy Regovich had 1.5 sacks of Oregon quarterback Austin Novosad.


Oregon’s Malachi Durant got the scoring started with an 81-yard touchdown catch 1:09 into the game.

COMEBACK ’CATS!
Northwestern rallies from 20-0 down,
beats Ducks for Big Ten championship

INDIANAPOLIS — A promising rally looked like it would be all for nought.

Down 20-0 late in the first half and 23-7 early in the fourth quarter, Northwestern was able to cut the deficit to 23-21 against Oregon with 6:21 left in the Big Ten Conference championship game on Dec. 11, 2027.

But Oregon appeared to have gathered itself, marching toward what would surely be a game-clinching touchdown.

Then cornerback Jameel Croft, a transfer from Kansas, stepped up with the biggest play so far in B-Dawg’s four years at Northwestern.

With the Ducks at the Northwestern 25-yard line and the Wildcats hoping to hold them to just a field goal, Croft intercepted the ball and returned it 84 yards with 3:19 left in the game.

You would think an 84-yard return would’ve ended up in the end zone, but you’d be wrong. Croft was hauled down just short of the goal line at the 1-yard line, but he had set up the Wildcats for a slam-dunk go-ahead touchdown, barring a penalty or fumble.

One play later, Jakori McFarland scored on a 1-yard run with 3:17 remaining for what proved to be the winning touchdown in second-ranked Northwestern’s 28-23 victory over fourth-ranked Oregon.

The victory not only ensured Northwestern (12-1) would make the College Football Playoff for the first time, but that the Wildcats would receive a first-round bye. They are projected to play the Michigan-Ball State winner in the quarterfinals.

“Things weren’t looking great when we were down 20-0, but in four years here I’ve been able to build these guys into the image of my other successful teams over the years,” B-Dawg said. “They have the (trademark) heart and character of a B-Dawg team. They don’t get down on themselves and they don’t ask me to hit the reset button when things get dark early.”

Oregon struck just 1:09 into the game on an 81-yard pass from Austin Novosad to Malachi Durant. The Ducks had a chance to make it a blowout before the end of the first quarter, but had to settle for two Grant Meadors field goals, one of which was a 58-yarder. Meadors had three field goals.

In a 13-9 victory over Oregon three years ago, the Wildcats were able to hang around by holding the explosive Ducks to three field goals. They lost to Oregon last season, but were in the game by holding the Ducks to two first-half field goals.

Oregon got back in the end zone when Mitchell Ladd scored on a 1-yard run on his only carry of the game with 2:13 left in the first half, making it 20-0.

“I type out notes when I play the game,” B-Dawg said. “I typed, ‘We are in big trouble now’ after that touchdown. Fortunately, my guys didn’t feel the same way.”

Northwestern began its comeback by driving 81 yards in 12 plays before halftime, getting a 1-yard touchdown run from quarterback Ryan Boe with 27 seconds left.

Northwestern limited Oregon to one field goal in the second half, but still trailed 23-7 entering the fourth quarter.

Following a 2-yard touchdown run by Boe and a 2-point pass to Carson Grove with 9:09 left, the defense created the first of two big turnovers when linebacker George Dennis forced a fumble on a sack of Novosad and defensive tackle Tony Gideon recovered with 8:25 left at the Oregon 38. That set up a 2-yard touchdown pass to Grove with 6:21 left in the game.

Then came the huge interception and return by Croft to put the Wildcats in the lead for the first time.

Oregon still had about three minutes to make some magic offensively, so Northwestern wasn’t out of the woods yet.

Facing fourth-and-four, Novosad threw a pass to Rudy Soto in the end zone that was broken up by safety Tito Williams with 1:08 left.

The Ducks still had all three timeouts, so the Wildcats needed a first down to ice the game. That came when Jaylen Love caught a pass on third-and-six with 57 seconds left.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Brandon Henderson 4 pancakes, 0 sacks; Taylor Jackson 4-0; Kyle Baity 3-0; Jaelen Camarda 2-0; Trayvon Riggins 2-0; Shawn Boyett 1-0; Simon Silva 1-0.


2027 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Conference USA: Jacksonville State 21, Kennesaw State 20
MAC: Ball State 40, Miami (Ohio) 23
Big XII: Utah 34, Colorado 26
Sun Belt: South Alabama 37, Coastal Carolina 16
American: Tulane 27, North Texas 19
Mountain West: UNLV 28, Wyoming 10
SEC: South Carolina 29, Mississippi 27
Big Ten: Northwestern 28, Oregon 23
ACC: Clemson 45, Florida State 31

[BDawg35]

2027 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SELECTION SHOW



Northwestern gets No. 1 seed,
faces Michigan-Ball State winner

Northwestern didn’t just back-door its way into its first College Football Playoff berth.

The Wildcats are the top seed in the 2027 postseason field after a 12-1 season that included a Big Ten Conference championship.

Northwestern gets a first-round bye and will face the winner of the Michigan-Ball State game in the Rose Bowl. The Wildcats are 0-2 against Michigan in this dynasty and have struggled to beat Mid-American Conference opponents, but are a different team this season. They have won seven straight games since losing to Wisconsin by one point on a late touchdown pass.

Northwestern moved from No. 2 to No. 1 after conference championship week. Mississippi fell from No. 1 to No. 4 after losing 29-27 to South Carolina in the SEC championship game.

But that wasn’t the worst fall that happened after conference title games were played.

North Texas fell out of the playoffs altogether after losing 27-19 to Tulane in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

Utah, on the other hand, moved into a playoff spot by beating Colorado 34-26 in the Big XII championship game. The Utes were 13th entering the game and 10th in the final poll.

The first-round on-campus games will feature LSU at Mississippi, Michigan at Ball State, Colorado at Oregon and Utah at Texas.


Final 2027 College Football Playoff rankings

1. NORTHWESTERN, 12-1
2. Clemson, 10-3
3. South Carolina, 10-3
4. Mississippi, 11-2
5. Oregon, 10-3
6. Texas, 9-3
7. South Alabama, 13-0
8. Ball State, 12-1
9. Michigan, 9-3
10. Utah, 10-3
11. Colorado, 10-3
12. LSU, 9-3
13. North Texas, 10-3
14. Wisconsin, 9-3
15. Nebraska, 9-3
16. Notre Dame, 9-3
17. Florida State, 8-5
18. Penn State, 8-4
19. Cincinnati, 8-4
20. USC, 8-4
21. Charlotte, 9-3
22. UNLV, 11-2
23. The U, 8-4
24. Tulane, 9-4
25. Georgia, 8-4

[Deuce2223]

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

Always love watching the Ducks lose. I love 4th Quarter comeback games. It's what keeps the love of the game alive.. .


I feel like Oregon and Miami are 2 schools that the CPU loves to do well in Sim's but never seems to play up to their potential when you actually play them. They CPU gives them Top-5 recruiting class's every year and their roster is loaded with talent but then they don't do anything. In my current Dynasty I am in 2029 and Miami goes 5-7 and Oregon goes 6-6 and both fire their head coaches despite the fact they both have Top-10 ranked recruiting class's yet again. So we will see if a coaching change does anything for them in the win loss column.

Looking forward to seeing what you do in the playoffs

[BDawg35]

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

Always love watching the Ducks lose. I love 4th Quarter comeback games. It's what keeps the love of the game alive.. .


I feel like Oregon and Miami are 2 schools that the CPU loves to do well in Sim's but never seems to play up to their potential when you actually play them. They CPU gives them Top-5 recruiting class's every year and their roster is loaded with talent but then they don't do anything. In my current Dynasty I am in 2029 and Miami goes 5-7 and Oregon goes 6-6 and both fire their head coaches despite the fact they both have Top-10 ranked recruiting class's yet again. So we will see if a coaching change does anything for them in the win loss column.

Looking forward to seeing what you do in the playoffs

Yeah, I keep waiting for Oregon to run me out of the stadium, but it never happens. It looked like it would happen in this game, but we slowed the bleeding, then stopped it entirely.

Haven't played The U yet. I need to make a trip to South Beach.

[BDawg35]

2027 COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS





Wildcats have top defender
for third consecutive season

For the third straight year, a defensive lineman from Northwestern has been named college football’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Junior defensive tackle Troy Regovich is this year’s winner, joining defensive ends Anto Saka (2025) and Nuer Gatkuoth (2026) as Wildcats to win the nation’s top defensive award.

Regovich is also the Lombardi Award winner, while safety Tito Williams is Best Defensive Back (a.k.a. Thorpe Award).

Unlike Saka and Gatkuoth, Regovich was also regarded highly enough to make second-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten.

Regovich has 11 sacks and 22 tackles for losses. Williams has six interceptions and 23 solos.

The top four candidates for Best Defensive Back were Wildcats. Cornerback Soni Motuapuaka was second, safety Sean Martin third and cornerback Jameel Croft fourth.

Guard Simon Silva was second for Best Interior Lineman, while Matthew Smith was second and George Dennis eighth for Best Linebacker. Juniors Braxton Strong and Izaiah Bush were fifth and sixth, respectively, for Best Defensive End.

B-Dawg was third for Coach of the Year.



PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Christopher Vizzina, Clemson, QB, rSr., 86 OVR
HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR: Steven Irving, South Alabama
BEST QUARTERBACK: Christopher Vizzina, Clemson, QB, rSr., 86 OVR
BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Troy Regovich, Northwestern, DT, rJr., 90 OVR
BEST DEFENSIVE BACK: Tito Williams, Northwestern, FS, rJr., 81 OVR
BEST RUNNING BACK: John McAdoo, Mississippi, HB, Soph., 84 OVR
BEST RECEIVER: Landon Wright, Washington State, WR, rJr., 81 OVR
LOMBARDI: Troy Regovich, Northwestern, DT, rJr., 90 OVR
UNITAS GOLDEN ARM: Christopher Vizzina, Clemson, QB, rSr., 86 OVR
BEST DEFENSIVE END: Shamar Meikle, Georgia, LE, rJr., 89 OVR
BEST INTERIOR LINEMAN: Jayven Richardson, Missouri, OG, rSr., 93 OVR
BEST TIGHT END: CJ Jacobsen, Utah, TE, rSr., 79 OVR
BROYLES AWARD: Shane Bolen, South Alabama, DC
BEST LINEBACKER: Brayden Platt, Oregon, OLB, Sr., 88 OVR
BEST CENTER: Cooper Cousins, Penn State, C, rJr., 89 OVR
LOU GROZA: Grant Meadors, Oregon, K, rSr., 85 OVR
BEST PUNTER: Owen Fehr, North Carolina State, P, rSr., 81 OVR
BEST RETURNER: Turbo Richard, Boston College, HB, Sr., 82 OVR




* Note: At this point, only redshirt juniors, seniors and redshirt seniors are real-life players. In rare cases, one could be a JUCO recruit.

FIRST TEAM
QB, Christopher Vizzina, Clemson, rSr.
HB, John McAdoo, Mississippi, Soph.
HB, Kedren Young, Notre Dame, Sr.
WR, Landon Wright, Washington State, rJr.
WR, Tony Landingham, Memphis, rSr.
WR, Drelon Miller, Colorado, Sr.
TE, CJ Jacobsen, Utah, rSr.
LT, J’ven Williams, Penn State, rSr.
LG, Jayven Richardson, Missouri, rSr.
C, Shakim Keyes, Florida State, Jr.
RG, Austin Goldberg, Michigan, Jr.
RT, Fletcher Westphal, Florida, rJr.
LE, LeVar Talley, Nevada, rJr.
RE, Tim Booker, Wisconsin, Jr.
DT, Stephiylan Green, Clemson, rSr.
DT, Justin Scott, The U, Sr.
LOLB, Derion Gullette, Texas, rSr.
MLB, Sammy Brown, Clemson, Sr.
ROLB, Elijah Newby, USC, rJr.
CB, Antonio White, Rutgers, rJr.
CB, Quentin Taylor, Iowa State, rJr.
FS, Kerry Brown, Minnesota, rSr.
SS, RJ Johnson, Colorado, rSr.
K, Brian Folkerts, Air Force, Jr.
P, Storm Bettis, Nebraska, Jr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Isaac Wilson, Utah, rJr.
HB, Kam Davis, Florida State, rJr.
HB, Nick Burflict, Ohio State, Soph.
WR, Clarence Jones, South Carolina, rSoph.
WR, Elijah Jones, Cincinnati, rJr.
WR, Elliott Biggs, LSU, rSoph.
TE, Brady Prieskorn, Michigan, Sr.
LT, Soane Faasolo, Washington, rSr.
LG, Jamie Bierria, The U, Jr.
C, Devyn Poutasi, Michigan, Jr.
RG, Matthew Snow, UAB, rSoph.
RT, Bo Hughley, Georgia, rSr.
LE, Marquaze Parker, Cincinnati, rJr.
RE, Rashaun Scroggins, Nevada, rSoph.
DT, Troy Regovich, Northwestern, rJr.
DT, Markis Deal, TCU, rSr.
LOLB, Gabe Williams, Virginia Tech, Sr.
MLB, Jeremiah Marcelin, Pittsburgh, Sr.
ROLB, Alan Walters, California, Jr.
CB, Devondre McGee, TCU, rJr.
CB, Damari Brown, The U, rSr.
FS, Tysen Campbell, Central Michigan, rJr.
SS, Peyton Woodyard, Oregon, Sr.
K, Ted Wrobles, Colorado, rJr.
P, Declan Duley, Illinois, rSr.

FRESHMAN
QB, DeAndre Long, LSU, rFr.
HB, Ben Costanzo, Kennesaw State, rFr.
HB, Jamie Mingo, The U, rFr.
WR, Sergio Marciano, Liberty, rFr.
WR, David Rush, Oregon State, rFr.
WR, Udo Adeyemi, Georgia, rFr.
TE, Willie Raimann, Missouri, rFr.
LT, George Haslam, West Virginia, rFr.
LG, Spencer Coker, Georgia, rFr.
C, Juan Santiago, Alabama, rFr.
RG, Kevin Carrera, Oregon, rFr.
RT, Ja’Darius Tongue, SMU, rFr.
LE, Frank Kirklin, Georgia, rFr.
RE, John Schlueter, North Carolina State, rFr.
DT, Austin Godwin, Notre Dame, rFr.
DT, Eric Gumbs, The U, Fr.
LOLB, Jose Brocklin, Oregon, rFr.
MLB, Oscar Gant, LSU, rFr.
ROLB, Jason McGann, Ohio State, rFr.
CB, Tevan Morton, Georgia, rFr.
CB, Greg Wilkerson, UCF, rFr.
FS, Randy Thompson, North Texas, rFr.
SS, Tyler Thorpe, Florida State, rFr.
K, Tavares Gideon, Middle Tennessee, rFr.
P, Zhaire Waddy, Utah State, rFr.




FIRST TEAM
QB, Austin Novosad, Oregon, rFr.
HB, Nick Burflict, Ohio State, Soph.
HB, Anfernee Philbin, Michigan, rSoph.
WR, Jay Miles, Oregon, rSoph.
WR, Leland Smith, Purdue, rSr.
WR, Matt Rozeboom, Indiana, Jr.
TE, Brady Prieskorn, Michigan, Sr.
LT, J’ven Williams, Penn State, rSr.
LG, Abdul Whitehead, Penn State, rJr.
C, Devyn Poutasi, Michigan, Jr.
RG, Austin Goldberg, Michigan, Jr.
RT, Blake Frazier, Michigan, Sr.
LE, Mylachi Williams, Penn State, rJr.
RE, Tim Booker, Wisconsin, Jr.
DT, Troy Regovich, Northwestern, rJr.
DT, Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, rSr.
LOLB, Preston Ries, Iowa, rJr.
MLB, Spencer Pelshak, Penn State, rSoph.
ROLB, Elijah Newby, USC, rJr.
CB, Antonio White, Rutgers, rJr.
CB, Shakim Howard, Nebraska, rJr.
FS, Kerry Brown, Minnesota, rSr.
SS, Peyton Woodyard, Oregon, Sr.
K, Grant Meadors, Oregon, rSr.
P, Storm Bettis, Nebraska, Jr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Pierce Clarkson, USC, rSr.
HB, Nolan Ray, Maryland, rSr.
HB, Kwinten Ives, Nebraska, rSr.
WR, Mylan Graham, Ohio State, rJr.
WR, Dae’vonn Hall, Nebraska, rJr.
WR, Jaidyn Doss, Nebraska, rSr.
TE, Walters Matthews, USC, Sr.
LT, Soane Faasolo, Washington, rSr.
LG, Emerson Mandell, Wisconsin, rJr.
C, Cooper Cousins, Penn State, rJr.
RG, Jacques Mauldin, Ohio State, Jr.
RT, Chimdy Onoh, Penn State, rSr.
LE, Jaylin Jones, Washington, Sr.
RE, Elijah Rushing, Oregon, Sr.
DT, Dillan Fontus, Maryland, rSr.
DT, Jericho Johnson, Oregon, rJr.
LOLB, Damien Forrest, Michigan State, rSoph.
MLB, Isaiah Chisom, Oregon, rSr.
ROLB, Brayden Platt, Oregon, Sr.
CB, Benji Ochi, Indiana, rSoph.
CB, Mylek Morman, Maryland, rSr.
FS, Vaboue Toure, Penn State, Sr.
SS, Antonio Gaskins, Michigan, Sr.
K, Spencer Porath, Purdue, Sr.
P, Declan Duley, Illinois, rSr.

FRESHMAN
QB, Randy Atogwe, Penn State, rFr.
HB, Imani Ugwoegbu, Illinois, Fr.
HB, Lorenzo Bethel, Indiana, Fr.
WR, Rudy Soto, Oregon, rFr.
WR, Robert Korn, Michigan State, rFr.
WR, Kerry Hanoian, Northwestern, rFr.
TE, George Mangum, Indiana, Fr.
LT, Glenn Bowling, Michigan, rFr.
LG, Keenen Brees, Michigan, rFr.
C, Shaydon Carmona, Penn State, rFr.
RG, Kevin Carrera, Oregon, rFr.
RT, Nate Gooch, Ohio State, rFr.
LE, Javier Bandy, Michigan State, rFr.
RE, Jon Procter, Oregon, rFr.
DT, Rico De La Puente, Ohio State, Fr.
DT, Deshawn Lincoln, Wisconsin, Fr.
LOLB, Jose Brocklin, Oregon, rFr.
MLB, Joe Cooks, Michigan, rFr.
ROLB, Jason McGann, Ohio State, rFr.
CB, Jayvon Hope, Northwestern, rFr.
CB, Dakota Poe, Wisconsin, Fr.
FS, Montell Feeley, Northwestern, rFr.
SS, Cam O’Malley, Penn State, Fr.
K, Frank Carruthers, Michigan, rFr.
P, J.R. Joe, Wisconsin, Fr.

[BDawg35]

2027 HEISMAN TROPHY CEREMONY


Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe finished fourth in 2027 Heisman Trophy voting.

Clemson QB wins 2027 Heisman;
Northwestern QB finishes fourth

NEW YORK — Maybe with a little more runway, Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe would’ve had a shot at the 2027 Heisman Trophy.

But Boe didn’t make an appearance on the top five until the final list of the season, marking the first time in the four-year history of this dynasty a Wildcat has made the watch list. He wound up finishing fourth.

Boe didn’t have the touchdown-to-interception ratio you’d want from a Heisman candidate — or any quarterback, for that matter. He has thrown 15 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. But he probably made the list because he’s the signal caller for the No. 1 team in the country and has 18 rushing touchdowns, nearly all of them from within a yard or two of the end zone running QB Blast from the five-wide formation.

In fitting with the nonsensical awards engine in College Football 25, the No. 4 finisher for the Heisman didn’t even make first- or second-team All-Big Ten, despite no Big Ten quarterbacks finishing ahead of him.

The kind of numbers you’d like to see from your quarterback are the ones Heisman winner Christopher Vizzina of Clemson has put up. He’s thrown for 4,565 yards, 50 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He also runs just well enough (91 carries, 346 yards, three touchdowns) to fit the EA Heisman engine for quarterbacks.

Vizzina is the second Clemson quarterback in three seasons to win the Heisman, joining 2025 winner Cade Klubnik.



CHRISTOPHER VIZZINA, Clemson, QB, Sr.
2027 stats: 342-for-471, 4,565 yards, 50 TD, 6 int.; 91 carries, 346 yards, 3 TD

ISAAC WILSON, Utah, QB, rJr.
2027 stats: 291-for-445, 3,988 yards, 45 TD, 3 int.; 71 carries, 229 yards, 2 TD

MARQUIS FONTAINE, South Carolina, QB, rSoph.
2027 stats: 273-for-393, 3,790 yards, 41 TD, 8 int.; 65 carries, 239 yards, 5 TD

RYAN BOE, Northwestern, QB, rJr.
2027 stats: 292-for-419, 3,175 yards, 15 TD, 12 int.; 62 carries, 53 yards, 18 TD

LANDON WRIGHT, Washington State, WR, rJr.
2027 stats: 75 catches, 1,155 yards, 15 TD; 26 carries, 210 yards, 5 TD

[Bigsheen]

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

Number 1 seed means a big ole target in your back, but you definitely have an easier path.

I think Boe is the perfect QB to take into the playoff. He might not have a great ratio, but still does a decent enough job limiting mistake, and is able to extend plays. Match that with that stout defense, and things are shaping up nicely for a good run. Definitely need to limit those late 4th quarter comeback attempts by the COU though, cuz in the CFP, you just never know.

[BDawg35]

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

Number 1 seed means a big ole target in your back, but you definitely have an easier path.

I think Boe is the perfect QB to take into the playoff. He might not have a great ratio, but still does a decent enough job limiting mistake, and is able to extend plays. Match that with that stout defense, and things are shaping up nicely for a good run. Definitely need to limit those late 4th quarter comeback attempts by the COU though, cuz in the CFP, you just never know.

First, thanks for checking in. Always good to see new faces (as well as the old ones).

Boe has done a nice job moving the chains. He doesn't finish a lot of drives by throwing it into the end zone, but we seem to get a ton of short touchdown runs.

Looking forward to seeing what the CFP presentation looks like. Took me long enough!

[BDawg35]

2027 CFP QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW


Northwestern is 0-2 against Michigan during this dynasty.

Northwestern to take on Michigan
in Rose Bowl to begin playoff run

PASADENA, Calif. — Does it get any better than this for B-Dawg?

He will not only get to coach in the College Football Playoff for the first time in his career, but will get to do it … against Michigan … in the Rose Bowl.

B-Dawg is a lifelong Michigan fan and a graduate from one of its satellite campuses in Flint, Mich. Growing up as a Michigan fan, there is no greater sight than seeing games played in the Rose Bowl, with the beautiful sunshine in the first half of the game giving way to darkness as the game goes on.

The Wolverines earned the right to face B-Dawg’s top-seeded Northwestern team in a quarterfinal game that will be played in the granddaddy of them all.

“I needed to change my pants when I first learned who we were playing and where we were playing them,” B-Dawg said.

The Wildcats (12-1) will try to beat the ninth-ranked Wolverines (10-3) for the first time in three meetings during the four-year history of this dynasty. Michigan beat Northwestern 21-7 in 2024 and 52-14 in 2025.

Northwestern will have to contend with 89 OVR redshirt junior quarterback Jadyn Davis, who probably won’t last at Michigan this long in real life, but is killing it in this dynasty. Davis is 232-for-378 for 3,256 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s run 71 times for 270 yards.

Davis spreads the ball around. Trae Lyons has 45 catches for 785 yards and six touchdowns; tight end Brady Prieskorn has 62 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns; Kendrick Bell has 27 catches for 682 yards and nine touchdowns; and I’Marion Stewart has 35 catches for 530 yards and seven touchdowns.

Anfernee Philbin, an 85 OVR redshirt sophomore, leads the team in rushing with 981 yards and nine touchdowns on 246 carries.

“You never know how a team actually plays when you actually play a game, if that makes sense," B-Dawg said. “They might throw to the same player every play. The quarterback may run the ball more than the running back. We will just do our thing defensively and adjust as needed."

Michigan, which is rated 89 across the board, got into the playoff by beating rival Ohio State 29-27 in the final regular-season game. The Wolverines lost 48-0 to Oregon on Oct. 7, 31-28 to Iowa on Oct. 23 and 24-17 to Illinois on Nov. 20.

Northwestern’s only loss was a one-point decision to Wisconsin on a garbage robo-QB play in the final minute.

In the other quarterfinals, Oregon and South Carolina will meet in the Sugar Bowl, Utah and Clemson will clash in the Peach Bowl, and LSU and South Alabama will collide in the Fiesta Bowl.

[redsox907]

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

Hey! Look at my Ball State Cardinals crashing the party.

Looks like the perfect chance to get that first win over the U of M.

They were the one team that always gave me trouble with USC. They bring it every game. Hopefully this is your year to stick it to em.

[Deuce2223]

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

It's aways fun playing against a team you personally grew up rooting for. I have had some great games in my Dynasties against BSU.. Some I have won and some I have lost.. Let's hope your's is a win..

[BDawg35]

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

Hey! Look at my Ball State Cardinals crashing the party.

Looks like the perfect chance to get that first win over the U of M.

They were the one team that always gave me trouble with USC. They bring it every game. Hopefully this is your year to stick it to em.

I have much love for MAC schools, living in Michigan with kids who went to Central Michigan and a wife who went to Western Michigan, so it's always good to see them have virtual success and real success.

It's always fun playing against a team you personally grew up rooting for. I have had some great games in my Dynasties against BSU.. Some I have won and some I have lost.. Let's hope yours is a win..

It's always fun to play Michigan, but even more so when I play at the Big House. That stadium just does something for me, even though I haven't been to a ton of Michigan games there. (None since the 1980s.)

A bucket list item for me is to make a trip to the blue field in Boise.

[BDawg35]

2027 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS




Enrique Swaim’s game-winning field goal with 29 seconds left is nearly blocked.


Northwestern celebrates with the Rose Bowl trophy after beating Michigan.


Northwestern lineman Troy Regovich sacks Michigan quarterback Jadyn Davis at the 1-yard line, nearly getting a
safety.


Northwestern receiver Jaylen Love hauls in a 39-yard touchdown pass.


Northwestern cornerback Jameel Croft picks off a pass.


Northwestern Alexander Butcher intercepts a pass.


Northwestern running back Nazir Kush runs over a Michigan defender.


Northwestern fullback Jaelen Camarda, playing tight end, leaps for a 15-yard touchdown catch in the corner of the
end zone.


Northwestern lineman Izaiah Bush sacks Michigan quarterback Jadyn Davis.


Michigan running back Anfernee Philbin dives into the end zone.

Silencing The Victors
Northwestern moves on to CFP semifinals
by beating Michigan on FG with :29 left

PASADENA, Calif. — At one point, B-Dawg caught himself tapping his foot while The Victors played following a Michigan field goal.

Old habits die hard.

B-Dawg has been a life-long Michigan and, by “life-long,” we’re talking someone who can remember watching the 1972 Rose Bowl between Michigan and Stanford. Michigan lost that day, 13-12, and 9-year-old B-Dawg probably cried like he did whenever his teams lost a big game back then.

But the Wolverines were the enemy, the team standing between B-Dawg’s Northwestern Wildcats and a berth in the College Football Playoffs semifinals on Dec. 28, 2027 in the Rose Bowl.

So, B-Dawg did what he’s done many times during a coaching career that dates to NCAA 2004, grinding away at the sticks and orchestrating a 23-20 come-from-behind victory that looked very much like real football and not a video game.

Enrique Swaim kicked the winning 28-yard field goal with 29 seconds remaining after Michigan tied the game 20-20 on a 2-yard run by Anfernee Philbin with 4:33 left.

“I root for Michigan every week of the season except for when we play them,” B-Dawg said. “They may as well be Ohio State when they’re on the other side of the line of scrimmage. But I don’t tap my toes to the Ohio State fight song, that’s for sure. I had to catch myself a couple times. My goal was to make sure that song didn’t get played much today. Our defense did a great job of containing their offense.”

Northwestern got out to a 13-0 lead before allowing 10 points in the final 1:07 of the first half. The Wildcats’ touchdown came when B-Dawg actually hit the wrong button, only to get lucky and hit fullback Jaelen Camarda with a 15-yard touchdown pass in the back right corner of the end zone to open the scoring. Camarda has been moved to tight end to help with blocking in the running game, so he was the least-likely Wildcat skill player to make what was a great catch in coverage.

“You begin to think it’s your day when that happens,” B-Dawg said. “That happened when we beat Oregon two years ago. I hit the wrong button and threw nearly an identical touchdown pass to our tight end. Our tight ends aren’t guys I’m typically targeting to make tough catches.”

Leading 13-10 at halftime, Northwestern took a 20-10 lead on a 39-yard pass from Ryan Boe to Jaylen Love with 6:08 left in the third quarter. A 45-yard Frank Carruthers field goal cut the deficit to 20-13 entering the fourth quarter.

Michigan finally caught up by marching 51 yards in nine plays, tying it when Philbin dove into the end zone.

It was time for a patented B-Dawg game-winning drive.

The key play on the winning drive was a third-and-nine pass to Love early in the possession that moved the sticks with 3:51 left. When Boe completed a pass for a first down to Carson Grove to Michigan’s 21 with 1:20 left, the Wildcats were in reasonable field goal range.

Facing third-and-three at Michigan’s 14, Boe handed off to Nazir Kush for a two-yard gain. With Michigan out of timeouts, B-Dawg let the clock run down before calling timeout and kicking a go-ahead field goal that was nearly blocked.

Izaiah Bush got his second sack of the game after Jadyn Davis had all day to throw on Michigan’s first play. The clock kept running as receivers got back to the line. Davis was finaly able to spike the ball with five seconds left, leaving time for only one more play.

A deep ball was broken up at Northwestern’s 38-yard line to end the game and send Northwestern to the semifinals against LSU in the Cotton Bowl.

The game marked the return of Kush and defensive tackle Zack Cobb, both of whom had been out with long-term injuries. Kush struggled to gain traction, but survived 25 carries and gained 70 yards. Cobb was more effective, getting two sacks and four tackles for losses.

In other national quarterfinals, Oregon won 38-17 over South Carolina in the Sugar Bowl, Utah won 51-21 over Clemson in the Peach Bowl and LSU won 42-36 over South Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Idrys Cotton 7 pancakes, 0 sacks; Brandon Henderson 6-0; Trayvon Riggins 6-0; Shawn Boyett 4-1; Simon Silva 1-0.

[BDawg35]

2027 CFP SEMIFINAL PREVIEW


Cornerback Jameel Croft and the Northwestern secondary hope to shut down LSU's freshman quarterback.

Northwestern braces for LSU team
led by talented freshman quarterback

DALLAS — An LSU team that got into the College Football Playoff by the skin of its teeth is all that stands between Northwestern and a berth in the national championship game.

The top-seeded Wildcats will face No. 12 LSU in the national semifinals in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 4, 2028.

The Tigers (11-3) lost 24-21 in the regular-season finale, then had to wait to learn they received the final playoff bid.

They’ve taken advantage of their new lease on life, beating Mississippi 34-26 and South Alabama 42-36 in two playoff games.

LSU struggled early in the season against inferior competition, winning 38-35 over Texas-San Antonio and 44-41 over Houston. That may be attributable to the fact the Tigers were starting a redshirt freshman quarterback in Deandre Long, who quickly got up to speed and has the potential to put up insane career numbers if he stays four years.

Long, rated 85 OVR, is 299-for-489 for 4,429 yards, 53 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has two 1,000-yard receivers in 90 OVR junior Kylan Billiot (83 catches, 1,433 yards, 16 TD’s) and sophomore Elliott Biggs (91 catches, 1,283 yards, 21 TD’s). Biggs has 11 catches for 244 yards and three touchdowns in two playoff games.

LSU is rated 88 OVR, 87 on offense and 89 on defense.