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

[Bigsheen]

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

What a win for the Natty!

Coming in during the back half of this season, it was awesome to follow the CFP run. I will admit, being able to have 3 INT's and still pull out the tight victory is a beautiful thing,. I've only had that a handful of times in this game myself but to be able to do it in a championship game just adds to the beauty of this game.

I love looking at those screens...seeing that Northwestern purple up on the stage, holding the championship trophy is pretty cool because it's just something we will never see in real life.

[RyanLeaf16]

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

Congrats on the National Championship! That came quicker than expected. A National Championship at NW would likely result in a job for life in Evanston and probably a statue. You can open an over-priced restaurant and sell over-priced wines and alumni will eat it up cause you brought a title to NW. Hell of a job sir!

[BDawg35]

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

Hey, we both brought championships to unlikely contenders in the same year

Grats on the win. With how the recruiting trail has shaped up, this isn't going to be the last chances for the 'Cats

Thanks! Year 4 feels a little early for me. I prefer a longer build. I felt some angst about winning this soon. This felt like it came out of nowhere. I was running the same offense, same defense. The team rating was about the same (81 OVR). We just caught lightning in a bottle for an entire season. I'm still ticked about the Wisconsin loss, but the national championship trophy eases that a bit.

Older versions, 2004, 2005, 2006, I always ran with Eastern Michigan not sure why being a Westcoast guy but I also enjoyed building them up and challenging Michigan and Michigan State for bragging rights to the state.

It's funny how we get attracted to some teams we have no other connection with. I have something for Boise State because of the blue field. I've never used them because they're essentially a powerhouse in their league, so it wouldn't be as big a rebuilding project.

What a win for the Natty!

Coming in during the back half of this season, it was awesome to follow the CFP run. I will admit, being able to have 3 INT's and still pull out the tight victory is a beautiful thing. I've only had that a handful of times in this game myself but to be able to do it in a championship game just adds to the beauty of this game.

I love looking at those screens...seeing that Northwestern purple up on the stage, holding the championship trophy is pretty cool because it's just something we will never see in real life.

Nope! Chalk this up as the latest version of "things you see all the time in a video game, but will never see in real life!" That's what makes this addiction of ours so fun.

Congrats on the National Championship! That came quicker than expected. A National Championship at NW would likely result in a job for life in Evanston and probably a statue. You can open an over-priced restaurant and sell over-priced wines and alumni will eat it up cause you brought a title to NW. Hell of a job sir!

Yeah, a little sooner than I hoped. A part of me actually hoped I would get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs to leave me with something more to attain. But when I was on the verge of blowing the Oregon game with that stupid pick-six, I was thinking, "With a longer playoff, there's no guarantee you'll have this opportunity any time soon. Get your act together and win this thing!"

And I won that thing.

Thanks for checking in, guys. Love your feedback.

[BDawg35]

2027 SEASON RECAP

2027 FINAL ASSOCIATED PRESS RANKINGS

1. NORTHWESTERN (65), 15-1
2. Oregon, 13-4
3. Clemson, 10-4
4. Utah, 12-4
5. South Carolina, 10-4
6. Mississippi, 11-3
7. South Alabama, 13-1
8. Colorado, 10-4
9. Michigan, 10-4
10. LSU, 11-4
11. Texas, 9-4
12. Ball State, 12-2
13. Florida State, 9-5
14. Notre Dame, 10-3
15. Wisconsin, 9-4
16. Nebraska, 9-4
17. UNLV, 12-2
18. Penn State, 9-4
19. Charlotte, 10-3
20. Boise State, 11-2
21. North Texas, 10-4
22. Washington State, 10-3
23. The U, 9-4
24. Jacksonville State, 10-4
25. USC, 9-4


2027 FINAL COACHES’ POLL

1. NORTHWESTERN (61), 15-1
2. Oregon, 13-4
3. South Carolina 10-4
4. Michigan, 10-4
5. LSU, 11-4
6. Mississippi, 11-3
7. Clemson, 10-4
8. Ball State, 12-2
9. Utah, 12-4
10. Texas, 9-4
11. Notre Dame, 10-3
12. South Alabama, 13-1
13. Colorado, 10-4
14. Florida State, 9-5
15. Wisconsin, 9-4
16. UNLV, 12-2
17. Penn State, 9-4
18. Nebraska, 9-4
19. Charlotte, 10-3
20. North Texas, 10-4
21. The U, 9-4
22. Boise State, 11-2
23. Jacksonville State, 10-4
24. USC, 9-4
25. Cincinnati, 8-5








2027 RECAP

Team ratings: 81 OVR, 81 offense, 82 defense
Preseason ranking: Unranked
Final ranking: No. 1 coaches, AP
Record: 15-1, 8-1 Big Ten (1st)
Playoff games: Northwestern 23, Michigan 20 (quarterfinals, Rose Bowl); Northwestern 45, LSU 28 (semifinals, Cotton Bowl); Northwestern 24, Oregon 20 (natty)
Award winners: DT Troy Regovich (Defensive Player of the Year, Lombardi), FS Tito Williams (Best Defensive Back)
First-team All-America: None
Second-team All-America: DT Troy Regovich
Freshman All-America: None
First-team All-Big Ten: DT Troy Regovich
Second-team All-Big Ten: None
Freshman All-Big Ten: WR Kerry Hanoian, CB Jayvon Hope, FS Montell Feeley
Passing leader: Ryan Boe 360-for-523, 3,913 yards, 20 TD, 17 int.
Rushing leader: Jakori McFarland 258 carries, 1,138 yards, 8 TD
Receiving leaders: Jaylen Love 101 catches, 1,225 yards, 6 TD; Carson Grove 81 catches, 1,060 yards, 8 TD
Defense: Matthew Smith 145 tackles; Troy Regovich 24 TFL, 12.5 sacks; Tito Williams 6 interceptions; Soni Motuapuaka 15 deflections
Synopsis: A program that felt like it was going backwards a year ago shocked the college football world by going 15-1 and winning the national championship after entering the season unranked. The only loss came in the sixth game of the season when Wisconsin won 34-33 on a 70-yard touchdown pass with 1:02 left in the game when quarterback Mabrey Mettauer bounced off a sack before delivering a perfect dime. Despite the natty, that loss will always bug B-Dawg. Three of the Wildcats’ four victories from the Big Ten championship game on were by five points or less. They rallied from 20-0 to beat Oregon in the Big Ten championship game, then beat the Ducks again for the natty. Northwestern finally showed glimpses of a deep-passing attack that was largely absent in the first four years of this dynasty. Jaylen Love (1,225) and Carson Grove (1,060) each eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. Junior Jakori McFarland rushed for 1,138 yards when pressed into starting duty following an injury to sophomore Nazir Kush.

[BDawg35]

DEARLY DEPARTED FOLLOWING 2027 SEASON


Defensive tackle Troy Regovich is one of two 90 OVR players Northwestern is losing to graduation.



Northwestern loses only 8 players
from national championship team

EVANSTON, Ill. — Don’t weep for Northwestern.

The Wildcats are losing the 2027 Defensive Player of the Year, their best offensive lineman and their leading receiver, but not much else of consequence from a team that just went 15-1 and won the national championship.

Northwestern is losing only eight players following the season, none to the transfer portal. It’s a far cry from the damage following B-Dawg’s first season in Evanston when Northwestern graduated 41 players and lost one to the portal.

Defensive tackle Troy Regovich, who won Defensive Player of the Year and the Lombardi, is the biggest loss. He is rated 90 OVR, as is offensive guard Simon Silva. Regovich is projected to be a second-round pick and Silva a third-rounder in Madden.

The Wildcats also lose receiver Jaylen Love, who caught 101 passes for 1,225 yards and six touchdowns as a senior. Starting offensive tackle Brandon Henderson and 79 OVR outside linebacker Jojo Hayden (127 tackles) are the only starters who are graduating.

Don’t blink or you’ll miss the list of names Northwestern is losing.

TROY REGOVICH, DT, rJr., 90 OVR
SIMON SILVA, OG, 90 OVR
JAYLEN LOVE, WR, 85 OVR
BRANDON HENDERSON, OT, 85 OVR
CJ YOUNG, SS, 75 OVR
HARVEY SHEETS, OT, 73 OVR
JEREMIAH WARREN, DE, 79 OVR
JOJO HAYDEN, OLB, 79 OVR

[BDawg35]

CLASS OF 2028 SIGNING DAY



Northwestern has 23rd-ranked
recruiting class for Class of 2028

Dominance on the gridiron came sooner than dominance on the recruiting trail for Northwestern.

The Wildcats won a national championship in B-Dawg’s fourth season at the helm, but is making slow but steady progress in the recruiting rankings.

Northwestern’s Class of 2028 ranks 23rd in the nation. It’s the best class for B-Dawg so far after ranking 62nd in the Class of 2025, 85th in the Class of 2026 and 41st in the Class of 2027.

“I feel like there’s some lag between our on-field success and our recruiting success,” B-Dawg said. “Players pretty much had their lists narrowed before the season and even as the season went on. By the time we won it all, players were committed. I expect a lot of elite guys will have us high on their lists going into next season.”

The top recruit in the class is four-star receiver J.C. Cantwell of Carrollton, Texas. He is rated 93rd overall in the country, making him B-Dawg’s first top-100 recruit. He’s one of four four-star players to sign with Northwestern.

Northwestern added seven players from the portal, including one with whom the Wildcats are familiar. Running back Prince Hoke comes over from Michigan State. In the teams’ meeting last season, Hoke was the Spartans’ top rusher with 52 yards on eight carries, along with 27 yards on four catches.

An intriguing addition is sophomore tight end Josh Stephen from Oregon State. Stephen is 75 OVR with 86 SPD and 76 CTH. Northwestern may finally have a tight end it can include in the passing game.

Northwestern landed the top-rated offensive tackle in the portal in Iowa State's Calvin Claybrooks.

For what it’s worth, B-Dawg had “master motivator” unlocked after Week 1 of offseason recruiting.

IN-SEASON RECRUITS

J.D. AMATOVA, OT-9, 6-5, 310, Muskegon, Mich., 4 stars
DIONTE HICKS, OT-22, 6-6, 284, Norfolk, Va., 4 stars
J.C. CANTWELL, WR-9, 6-3, 193, Carrollton, Texas, 4 stars
KRISTIAN BROWN, QB-15, 6-0, 219, Rockwall, Texas, 4 stars
DEVON DWUMFOUR, OT-60, 6-5, 281, Trussville, Ala., 3 stars
ALEX JAMESON, OG-44, 6-1, 306, Gardner, Kan., 3 stars
CARLOS MALLORY, OT-129, 6-6, 281, Mount Carmel, Ill., 2 stars
TIM STREETER, OT-46, 6-6, 280, Merrillville, Ind., 2 stars
RISHARD VILAIN, FB-51, 5-9, 228, Frankfort, Ill., 2 stars
GILL TRIMBLE, OG-105, 6-3, 277, Saint Louis, Mo., 2 stars
SHANE DeLUCA, OG-80, 6-1, 276, Fort Washington, Md., 2 stars
BRAYLON BEST, OG-61, 6-2, 284, Tampa, Fla., 2 stars


OFFSEASON RECRUITS

JEFF HENTRICH, FS, 6-0, 205, Cornelius, N.C., 3 stars
HOWIE POTTS, DE-172, 6-5, 271, Mobile, Ala., 2 stars
LEVI INGRAM, FS-80, 5-10, 214, Detroit, Mich., 3 stars
JASON FELIX, FS-51, 6-2, 188, Saginaw, Mich., 3 stars
SAM NEILON, FS-132, 5-11, 206, Virginia Beach, Va., 2 stars
RUDY COBB, SS-69, 5-11, 210, Jacksonville, Fla., 2 stars
TONY DOMAN, MLB-64, 6-2, 224, Columbus, Ohio, 3 stars
DIMITRI REGIS, MLB-44, 5-11, 236, Athens, Ala., 3 stars


TRANSFER PORTAL

JOSH STEPHEN, TE-8, 6-3, 239, Palos Heights, Ill., sophomore, 3 stars (Oregon State)
KEKE ADAMS, FS-3, 6-1, 185, Hartford, Conn., junior, 4 stars (Virginia)
CALVIN CLAYBROOKS, OT-1, 6-5, 319, Minneapolis, Minn., sophomore, 4 stars (Iowa State)
PRINCE HOKE, HB-6, 6-1, 191, Mattawan, Mich., sophomore, 4 stars (Michigan State)
DELL CHOICE, WR-16, 6-5, 199, Montgomery, Texas, freshman, 3 stars (Texas State)
HOWIE BRAZZELL, HB-17, 5-9, 230, Katy, Texas, sophomore, 3 stars (Texas A&M)
DAVID DIGGS, OLB-7, 6-2, 233, Oswego, Ill, freshman, 3 stars (Illinois)


CLASS OF 2028 TOP RECRUITING CLASSES

1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Georgia
4. LSU
5. Ohio State
6. Penn State
7. Michigan
8. The U
9. Nebraska
10. Clemson
11. Mississippi
12. Oklahoma
13. Tennessee
14. Texas
15. Notre Dame
16. Texas Christian
17. USC
18. North Carolina State
19. Arkansas
20. Wisconsin
21. Florida State
22. Iowa
23. NORTHWESTERN
24. Washington
25. Auburn
32. Maryland
44. UCLA
56. Indiana
74. Minnesota
94. Purdue
95. Michigan State
99. Rutgers
114. Illinois
134. Kennesaw State


CLASS OF 2028 TOP RECRUITS

1. JOSH GRIMM, DT, Lancaster, Calif. (USC)
2. CAM MIDDLEBROOKS, MLB, Columbia, Miss. (Mississippi)
3. KYLE FANENE, MLB, Fayetteville, Ark. (Mississippi)
4. JAYLEN TOWNSEND, OLB, Suwanee, Ga. (Tulane)
5. VAI MANUWAI, OLB, Mililani, Hawaii (UCLA)
6. JUAN FREE, QB, Bellflower, Calif. (USC)
7. BARRY FUNCHESS, ATH, Middletown, Del. (Alabama)
8. JEFF MIZZELL, DE, Minneapolis, Minn. (Wisconsin)
9. REGGIE MADDOX, CB, Clovis, Calif. (Oregon State)
10. KLAY ANTHROP, ATH, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (Alabama)

[Careless Whisper]

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

Congrats on the natty! What a story having a reserve sub-70 overall redshirt freshman play hero in an instant classic. Looking forward to seeing how Northwestern does as the hunted next season!

[BDawg35]

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

Congrats on the natty! What a story having a reserve sub-70 overall redshirt freshman play hero in an instant classic. Looking forward to seeing how Northwestern does as the hunted next season!

I love stories like that! The kid will always be a hero to me and Wildcat Nation (if there's such a thing). We are bringing in a four-star WR recruit to replace Jaylen Love, so I'm not sure if the kid will get much more playing time next season with everyone else back.

[BDawg35]

2028 PLAYER CUTS


Carl Erdman, Northwestern’s third-leading rusher in 2027, is among 19 players being “strong encouraged” to
transfer.

BLOODLETTING
B-Dawg loses controls of his roster,
has to cut 19 players to reach limit

When you have small graduating classes and still recruit like a drunken sailor, eventually you’ll have roster issues.

Northwestern coach B-Dawg, who lost nearly half his roster following his first season with the Wildcats, was completely caught off-guard when he finished his fourth recruiting cycle and had 19 players too many on his roster.

B-Dawg had 104 players on his roster following recruiting. College Football 25 has a limit of 85.

That meant a lot of hard conversations had to take place.

B-Dawg had to strongly encourage 19 Wildcats to transfer elsewhere. And by “strongly encourage,” we mean he was cutting them whether they liked it or not.

“I never thought I would be in this position with an 85-man roster and with how thin we were after my first year,” B-Dawg said. “We don’t recruit a ton of high school kids, but adding about six to eight portal guys a year has caught up with us. I’ll have to be more cognizant about how many players I bring in versus how many we’re losing.

“When I saw the ‘encourage transfer’ option in previous seasons, I had no idea what it meant. I thought it gave players the choice to stick around or leave. I guess they have no say in the matter. This is the old ‘cut players’ from NCAA Football.”

B-Dawg wanted to make sure he didn’t cut any of the 14 real-life players who will be fifth-year seniors in 2028. He also maintained a soft spot for 74 OVR redshirt junior Jose Watford, who enters 2028 seventh on the depth chart at cornerback, but was his first recruit.

The positions that took the biggest hits were quarterback and halfback.

The Wildcats released three quarterbacks, including 78 OVR redshirt freshman Gideon Pena, a four-star recruit. Six halfbacks were released, including some who had moments of success on the field.

The biggest release is redshirt junior halfback Carl Erdman, who was the team’s third-leading rusher with 480 yards and five touchdowns on 96 carries.

Say farewell to the following now-former Wildcats:

Daveon Paul, QB, 65 OVR
Sam Kilgo, QB, 71 OVR
Gideon Pena, QB, 78 OVR, rFr.
Robert Agude, HB, 77 OVR, rJr.
Carl Erdman, HB, 77 OVR, rJr.
Ramon Ezeike, HB, 75 OVR, rSoph.
Leon Dicker, HB, 69 OVR, Soph.
Paul Garnes, HB, 75 OVR, rSoph.
Brayden Montgomery, HB, 71 OVR, rFr.
Kyle Baity, FB, 71 OVR, Jr.
Vonn Waddy, WR, 45 OVR, rJr.
Rafael York, TE, 65 OVR, rSoph.
Najee Ricks, TE, 63 OVR, rFr.
Chad Gado, OT, 71 OVR, rSoph.
Brad Milne, OLB, 54 OVR, rJr.
Tyler Estrada, MLB, 65 OVR, rJr.
Quentin Berryman, CB, 68 OVR, rSoph.
Ben Mayo, SS, 77 OVR, rSoph.
Kameron Bourne, K, 75 OVR, rFr.

[BDawg35]

2028 PRESEASON PREVIEW




Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe is among the Heisman Trophy favorites.

DEFENDING THE ’SHIP
Northwestern preseason favorite
to repeat as national champion

EVANSTON, Ill. — What will Northwestern do for an encore?

The Wildcats surprised the college football world last season by going 15-1 and winning the national championship.

They won’t catch anyone off guard in 2028 with a team that returns nearly every starter and is ranked No. 1 by The Associated Press and the coaches.

Northwestern even has a Heisman Trophy candidate, with fifth-year senior quarterback Ryan Boe listed second on the preseason hype list. Boe will be a fourth-year starter, though he was replaced midway through his redshirt freshman year by Aidan Gray.

To get in a position to return to the College Football Playoff, the Wildcats will not only have to navigate a tough Big Ten Conference schedule, but a nonleague schedule that includes Tennessee and Clemson.

“I’ve resisted playing too tough a nonleague schedule my first few years, because I didn’t think we were up to it and our league schedule is brutal enough,” Northwestern coach B-Dawg said. “But we are up for the challenge. Our guys have been in plenty of big games and knocked off a lot of marquee programs on the way to the championship last year. We ain’t scurred of nobody.”

Northwestern is rated 84 OVR, 84 on offense and 85 on defense.










2028 AP PRESEASON RANKINGS

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


2028 COACHES’ PRESEASON RANKINGS

1. NORTHWESTERN (38)
2. Oregon (21)
3. Michigan (1)
4. Clemson
5. Mississippi
6. LSU
7. South Carolina
8. Wisconsin
9. Nebraska
10. Florida State
11. Utah
12. Texas
13. Penn State
14. Colorado
15. The U
16. USC
17. Notre Dame
18. Oklahoma
19. Alabama
20. Georgia
21. California
22. Tennessee
23. Charlotte
24. North Carolina
25. Boise State




FIRST TEAM
QB, Jadyn Davis, Michigan, rSr.
HB, Juan Hocker, Alabama, rJr.
HB, Anfernee Philbin, Michigan, rJr.
WR, Lawayne McCoy, Florida State, rSr.
WR, Trae Lyons, Michigan, rSr.
WR, Jeremiah Dalton, Penn State, rJr.
TE, Luke Reynolds, Penn State, rSr.
OT, Von Webb, Michigan, Sr.
OT, Ezekiel Semple, Michigan, rJr.
OG, Spencer Coker, Georgia, rSoph.
OG, Lorenzo Turner, Oregon, rJr.
C, Devyn Poutasi, Michigan, Sr.
DE, Bryce Young, Notre Dame, rSr.
DE, Amaree Williams, Florida State, rSr.
DT, Jericho Johnson, Oregon, rSr.
DT, Tevin Sorsdal, LSU, Sr.
OLB, James Nesta, Oklahoma, rSr.
MLB, Henry Cahill, Oregon, Sr.
OLB, Devin Mihlhauser, Alabama, rJr.
CB, Ify Obidegwu, Oregon, rSr.
CB, Marcelles Williams, USC, rSr.
FS, Addison Lewis, Clemson, rJr.
SS, Jeff Casey, Oregon, Jr.
K, Aeron Burrell, LSU, rSr.
P, Storm Bettis, Nebraska, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Craig Arnold, Georgia, rSoph.
HB, Xavier Yazzie, Oklahoma, rSr.
HB, Mitchell Ladd, Oregon, rJr.
WR, Dozie Ezukanma, TCU, rSr.
WR, Shawn Logan, Oregon, rSr.
WR, Mylan Graham, Ohio State, rSr.
TE, Jay Lindsey, Alabama, rSr.
OT, Iosefa Iloka, Stanford, rJr.
OT, Fletcher Westphal, Florida, rSr.
OG, Rico Estandia, Texas, rJr.
OG, David McFoy, LSU, Sr.
C, Sam Knight, Michigan, rJr.
DE, Mylachi Williams, Penn State, rSr.
DE, Quincy Heggie, Tulane, rJr.
DT, Jeremiah Hagans, Oregon, rJr.
DT, Alex January, Texas, rSr.
OLB, Emanuel Bickley, Auburn, Sr.
MLB, Payton Pierce, Ohio State, rSr.
OLB, Nicholas Vildor, LSU, Sr.
CB, Jaylen Mbakwe, Alabama, rSr.
CB, Shakim Howard, Nebraska, rSr.
FS, Conor Wheeler, LSU, rJr.
SS, John Cantrell, Notre Dame, Jr.
K, Kyle Lemmermann, TCU, rSr.
P, Dillon Wetzel, Utah, rJr.




FIRST TEAM
QB, Jadyn Davis, Michigan, rSr.
HB, Anfernee Philbin, Michigan, rJr.
HB, Nick Burfict, Ohio State, Jr.
WR, Trae Lyons, Michigan, rSr.
WR, Jeremiah Dalton, Penn State, rJr.
WR, Mylan Graham, Ohio State, rSr.
TE, Luke Reynolds, Penn State, rSr.
OT, Von Webb, Michigan, Sr.
OT, Ezekiel Semple, Michigan, rJr.
OG, Abdul Whitehead, Penn State, rSr.
OG, Lorenzo Turner, Oregon, rJr.
C, Devyn Poutasi, Michigan, Sr.
DE, Mylachi Williams, Penn State, rSr.
DE, Jamie Rossouw, Iowa, rJr.
DT, Jeremiah Hagans, Oregon, rJr.
DT, Jericho Johnson, Oregon, rSr.
OLB, Preston Ries, Iowa, rSr.
MLB, Henry Cahill, Oregon, Sr.
OLB, Juan Banks, Wisconsin, rSoph.
CB, Ify Obidegwu, Oregon, rSr.
CB, Marcelles Williams, USC, rSr.
FS, Jacob Oden, Michigan, rSr.
SS, Jeff Casey, Oregon, Jr.
K, Enrique Swaim, Northwestern, Sr.
P, Storm Bettis, Nebraska, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Randy Atogwe, Penn State, rSoph.
HB, Mitchell Ladd, Oregon, rJr.
HB, Dilin Jones, Wisconsin, rSr.
WR, KJ Parker, Iowa, rSr.
WR, Reggie Beebe, USC, rSoph.
WR, Edward Trufant, USC, rJr.
TE, Carter Nelson, Nebraska, rSr.
OT, Cole Wake, Ohio State, Sr.
OT, Jason Abreu, Oregon, rJr.
OG, Preston Taumua, Nebraska, rSr.
OG, Kevin Carrera, Oregon, rSoph.
C, Sam Knight, Michigan, rJr.
DE, Demetrius Carlin, Michigan, rJr.
DE, Paul Tuttle, Nebraka, rSoph.
DT, Johnny Faulk, Michigan, Sr.
DT, Jide Abrasiri, USC, rSr.
OLB, Jose Brocklin, Oregon, rSoph.
MLB, Payton Pierce, Ohio State, rSr.
OLB, Juan Newcomb, Oregon, rSoph.
CB, Shakim Howard, Nebraska, rSr.
CB, Jon Mitchell, Penn State, rSr.
FS, Taylor Medina, Wisconsin, rSr.
SS, Sean Martin, Northwestern, rSr.
K, Emmanuel Antwine, Ohio State, Jr.
P, Nick McLarty, Ohio State, rSr.




2028 PRESEASON

1. LAWAYNE McCOY, Florida State, WR, rSr.
2027 stats: 79 catches, 1,074 yards, 10 TD

2. RYAN BOE, Northwestern, QB, rSr.
2027 stats: 360-for-523, 3,913 yards, 20 TD, 17 int.; 76 carries, 76 yards, 21 TD

3. ISAAC WILSON, Utah, QB, rSr.
2027 stats: 339-for-523, 4,664 yards, 50 TD, 6 int.; 88 carries, 259 yards, 4 TD

4. DOZIE EZUKANMA, Texas Christian, WR, rSr.
2027 stats: 59 catches, 988 yards, 4 TD; 5 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD

5. TASHI BRACEFUL, Toledo, WR, rSr.
2027 stats: 46 catches, 595 yards, 5 TD;

[Deuce2223]

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

I try and limit myself to 5 cut/transfers at the end of every season typically it's a busted Gem player or a guy who falls to like 3rd string but occasionally I will pick a guy who i think like IRL would leave looking for more Playing time..

I think the most I ever cut in 1 year was 9. Couldn't imagine telling 19 guys who just won a National title to hit the road

[BDawg35]

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

I try and limit myself to 5 cut/transfers at the end of every season typically it's a busted Gem player or a guy who falls to like 3rd string but occasionally I will pick a guy who i think like IRL would leave looking for more Playing time..

I think the most I ever cut in 1 year was 9. Couldn't imagine telling 19 guys who just won a National title to hit the road

Yeah, that was just a total oversight on my part, going from a small roster a few years earlier to THAT. I'll keep an eye on it in the future. I don't prefer to cut anyone. If I recruited them, they stay until they let themselves out the door.

[RyanLeaf16]

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

The annual Spring culling that comes in CFB 25 dynasties lol. I tend to "under recruit" to avoid having to cut, but you don't really learn that - or even think about it - until you have to break some hearts one offseason.

[BDawg35]

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

The annual Spring culling that comes in CFB 25 dynasties lol. I tend to "under recruit" to avoid having to cut, but you don't really learn that - or even think about it - until you have to break some hearts one offseason.

I've just been operating under the assumption I'm still way under the roster limit, like I was for the 2025 season, but it took just a couple years to overfill the roster.

I'm about to post the first game of the 2028 season. I've been about two full seasons and two months of real time behind in posting since I started this. I'm finally posting a game in the season I'm currently playing (I'm near the end) that I played about five weeks ago. Hoping to get caught up in the next couple weeks.

[BDawg35]

2028 SEASON - GAME 1




Tennessee’s mascot, Smokey, tries signaling the start of the fourth quarter with only three fingers raised.


Northwestern tight end Nick Stoddard fumbles on a hit by Tennessee’s Edwin Spillman, who had 25 tackles.


Tennessee quarterback Jay Filipovic runs for a touchdown.


Tennessee’s Taj Hawkins hauls in a touchdown pass with seven seconds left in the first half.


Tennessee’s Daniel James intercepts a pass.


Nazir Kush scores Northwestern’s only touchdown with 1:23 left in the game.

HELPLESS FEELING
B-Dawg can’t do anything right,
NW thrashed by Vols in opener

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — B-Dawg may have symptoms of PTSD whenever he hears Rocky Top in the future.

The Northwestern football coach heard the iconic Tennessee fight song far more often than he hoped when the No. 1-ranked Wildcats began defense of their national championship in the 2028 season opener at Neyland Stadium.

When last we saw B-Dawg on the virtual gridiron, he was confidently rolling through the likes of Michigan, LSU and Oregon on his way to a natty.

That confidence was shattered in a stunning 37-7 beatdown at the hands of the 25th-ranked Vols.

B-Dawg doesn’t like to make excuses, but …

This was his first game in several weeks and the shadows coming off the stands make it too dark on half the field to see players very well.

“The CPU didn’t have this problem with field vision,” B-Dawg said. “It’s like I was playing blindfolded throwing to one side of the field.”

The tone was set when Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe threw an interception to Daniel James just 31 seconds into the game on third-and-20. Tennessee go the ball at Northwestern’s 15-yard line, but the defense got a win when Dennis Rahouski got a sack on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, forcing a field goal.

“It’s not unusual for us to get off to a slow start,” B-Dawg said. “I figured once we held them to three after putting our defense in a bad situation, we would be good.”

He was wrong. Oh, was he ever wrong.

By the time halftime arrived, the Vols were up 24-0 on a two touchdown passes and a touchdown run by quarterback Jay Filipovic. When Taj Hawkins caught his second touchdown pass of the game in the third quarter, the lead was 31-0.

Two more field goals made it a 37-0 game before Northwestern averted the upset on a 2-yard run by Nazir Kush with 1:23 left in the game.

“I haven’t felt this helpless playing a game in a long time,” B-Dawg said. “Fortunately, we have a trip to the gray field at Eastern Michigan next week. We should be able to get our mojo back there.”

Tennessee middle linebacker Edwin Spillman is rated only 77 OVR as a fifth-senior senior, but he had 25 total tackles, the most B-Dawg has ever seen by a player in one of his dynasties. Spillman had five solos, 20 assists and a forced fumble.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Deon Barry 6 pancakes, 0 sacks; Calvin Claybrooks 4-0; Idrys Cotton 3-0; Cornell Kafka 3-0; Shawn Boyett 3-1; Taylor Jackson 1-0.