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

[BDawg35]

2028 SEASON - GAME 7




Northwestern freshman J.C. Cantwell returns a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.


Northwestern receiver Carson Grove hauls in a 37-yard touchdown pass as time expires in the first half.


Northwestern running back Prince Hoke ran for two touchdowns.


Northwestern receiver Hayden Eligon catches a touchdown pass.


Northwestern’s Reggie Nall picks off a pass on third-and-four from the 5-yard line.


Northwestern’s Jameel Ctoft intercepts a pass.


Purdue running back Alex Rawls scores on a 35-yard run.


Purdue’s Andre Obomanu returns an interception 43 yards for a touchdown with 1:43 left in the game.

UNICORN SIGHTING
B-Dawg has first kick return TD
in Northwestern’s win at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — B-Dawg was beginning to think it was impossible to return a kickoff for a touchdown in College Football 25.

He heard about some people managing to do so, but wrote those off as urban myths.

Then it happened.

On B-Dawg’s 180th kick return in the five-year history of this dynasty, freshman J.C. Cantwell went 96 yards to the house in the first quarter of top-ranked Northwestern’s 35-20 victory over Purdue on Oct. 14, 2028.

B-Dawg has lazily just hit whatever kick return option pops up first under X on his PS5, but has recently switched to the middle return. Purdue kicked off to Northwestern’s left side, which is always B-Dawg’s preferred side to return kicks and the blocking held up well. Cantwell broke through and wasn’t going to be caught, giving the Wildcats a 14-3 lead with 2:50 left in the first quarter.

How difficult has it been for B-Dawg to return kicks in CFB 25?

Well, on his first 179 kick returns in this dynasty, he’s averaged only 15.1 yards and had only two returns of 30 yards or longer. Calvin Johnson had a 31-yard return in the first game of this dynasty against Miami of Ohio and Josh Fussell had a timely 41-yarder against Oregon in 2025 to set up the winning touchdown.

“This isn’t NCAA ’14 where I would get five of six kick returns go house every season,” B-Dawg said. “I haven’t been able to master my old move of getting a tight end or fullback as one of the kick return guys and pulling him over to block for the return man. I find myself fair-catching a lot of kicks that don’t reach the end zone because why even bother? This gives me a little confidence that it can be done.”

Cantwell’s return was one of three explosive plays by the Wildcats.

Carson Grove hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-15 as time expired in the first half, extending Northwestern’s lead to 24-10.

After the Boilermakers (1-5) got within eight points on a 43-yard pick-six by Andre Obomanu with 1:43 left in the game, backup running back Prince Hoke broke off a 41-yard touchdown run with 1:30 remaining to seal the victory.

The biggest defensive play of the game was an interception by sophomore cornerback Reggie Nall on third-and-four from Northwestern’s 5-yard line with 3:36 left in the game. The Boilermakers had a chance to get within 28-20 , which they did nearly two minutes later on the pick-six.

It was one of three interceptions by Northwestern cornerbacks in the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats have won six straight games since the season-opening beatdown at Tennessee to improve to 6-1. They were No. 1 in the media poll and No. 2 in the coaches’ poll behind Oregon coming into the game.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Shawn Boyett 8 pancakes, 0 sacks; Cornell Kafka 7-0; Deon Barry 7-1; Calvin Claybrooks 6-0; Idrys Cotton 5-1; Jaelen Camarda 2-0; Josh Stephen 2-0; J.C. Cantwell 1-0; Dell Choice 1-0.

[BDawg35]

2028 NATIONAL RANKINGS UPDATE

[Deuce2223]

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

I just got done playing my Ohio State vs Indiana matchup and have a True Freshman WR with 99 speed that ran back a 96 yd Kickoff return.. It's my 5th and 24 seasons between my 2 Dynasty's. I also have 4 Punt Returns for scores.. It's possible but still doesn't happen very much but when it does it's so much fun.

[BDawg35]

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

I just got done playing my Ohio State vs Indiana matchup and have a True Freshman WR with 99 speed that ran back a 96 yd Kickoff return.. It's my 5th and 24 seasons between my 2 Dynasty's. I also have 4 Punt Returns for scores.. It's possible but still doesn't happen very much but when it does it's so much fun.

When something rarely happens, it's a lot more exciting when it does. I think it was NCAA 2006 where I had to come up with ground rules to stop returning so many kicks for touchdowns with Greg Jennings of Western Michigan.

I thought I would have a punt return TD before I ever had one on a kick. I've had a couple punt returns that looked promising, but only one other kick before this where I thought there was a chance.

[BDawg35]

2028 SEASON - GAME 8




Northwestern running back Prince Hoke grabs a 30-yard touchdown pass.


Northwestern defensive end Braxton Strong takes down Maryland quarterback Joel Olawale for his 20th career sack.


Northwestern safety Tito Williams makes a leaping interception in the end zone.


Maryland running back Kentrell Tye dives into the end zone.


Northwestern cornerback Jameel Croft intercepts a pass.


Northwestern linebacker Matthew Smith dives to break up a fourth-and-11 pass late in the game.


Northwestern linebacker Carl Sermon intercepts a pass.


Maryland’s Randy Odrick intercepted two passes.

DUAL-THREAT RB
NW back obtained through portal
makes big catch in win over Terps

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Northwestern returned two experienced running backs in Nazir Kush and Jakori McFarland, so some folks wondered why the Wildcats targeted running back Prince Hoke in the transfer portal.

Now we know why.

Hoke provides more in the passing game than Kush or McFarland, a trait that came in handy against Maryland on Oct. 28, 2028.

Hoke ran a wheel route for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 6:00 left in the game, extending the fourth-ranked Wildcats’ lead to 10 points in a 27-14 victory over the Terrapins.

Hoke, who came over from Michigan State, was wide open on the same route one play earlier, but quarterback Ryan Boe overthrew him. B-Dawg dialed it up again, hoping for similar coverage and better results.

“My eyes got wide when I saw how open he was the first time,” B-Dawg said. “You don’t forget a route like that when you see it. I thought the CPU would be ready for it the second time, but they didn’t. I’ll file that one in my memory back for future use.”

Northwestern led 17-7 at halftime, with Boe scoring on two 1-yard QB blasts out of a five-wide set. The Terrapins cut the lead to 17-14 on an 8-yard touchdown catch by running back Kentrell Tye for the only score of the third quarter.

It was a sloppy game for both quarterbacks, with Boe and Maryland’s Joel Olawale each serving up three interceptions. Maryland cornerback Randy Odrick picked off two passes in the first half.

“We stopped going his way after that,” B-Dawg said. “They came in with a 1-6 record, so we didn’t take them too seriously. I tried chucking it around, but that dude made us pay. We had to go back to our ground game more to settle things down.”

Kush ran 25 times for 133 yards, as the Wildcats had 191 yards on 40 carries as a team.

Northwestern will take a 7-1 overall record and 5-0 Big Ten Conference mark to Lincoln next week to face Nebraska.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Calvin Claybrooks 10 pancakes, 0 sacks; Cornell Kafka 6-0; Shawn Boyett 5-0; Deon Barry 4-0; J.C. Cantwell 3-0; Idrys Cotton 3-0; Nick Stoddard 3-0; Rishard Vilain 2-0; Jaelen Camarda 1-0; Josh Stephen 1-0.

[Deuce2223]

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

I recently took over Ohio State in my current Dynasty (sorry i know your a Michigan guy). And I have a 5* QB who is a Junior leaving .to 90 Overll rated SR's to fight for #2. I moved 1 of them to RB and he had been a amazing pass catcher. So much I actually line him up in the slot as well. Right. Now he leads .my team wifh 49 rec. Sometimes it's nice to have a guy who can just burn those guys on wheel routes or have the speed to out run the linebacker on plants over the middle

[redsox907]

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

I recently took over Ohio State in my current Dynasty (sorry i know your a Michigan guy). And I have a 5* QB who is a Junior leaving .to 90 Overll rated SR's to fight for #2. I moved 1 of them to RB and he had been a amazing pass catcher. So much I actually line him up in the slot as well. Right. Now he leads .my team wifh 49 rec. Sometimes it's nice to have a guy who can just burn those guys on wheel routes or have the speed to out run the linebacker on plants over the middle

I 2nd this. I had a 76OVR QB when I took over Syracuse and moved him to HB. He was a great HB/WR combo for me and even racked up 107 receptions in his RS JR season before declaring for the draft.

you guys have really rebounded well from that embarrassing opening loss. Maybe you'll luck out and get them again in the CFP to exact some revenge

[RyanLeaf16]

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

Playing catch-up again, but what a tear you have been on since that loss to Tennessee.

Huge come from behind win against Michigan, another top-10 win against Clemson & a KO return for TD. Good Sh!t man!

[BDawg35]

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

I recently took over Ohio State in my current Dynasty (sorry i know your a Michigan guy). And I have a 5* QB who is a Junior leaving .to 90 Overll rated SR's to fight for #2. I moved 1 of them to RB and he had been a amazing pass catcher. So much I actually line him up in the slot as well. Right. Now he leads .my team wifh 49 rec. Sometimes it's nice to have a guy who can just burn those guys on wheel routes or have the speed to out run the linebacker on plants over the middle

That's something to think about, because I haven't had a lot of help throwing to running backs coming out of the backfield in my dynasty. I like having that element in my offense.

I 2nd this. I had a 76OVR QB when I took over Syracuse and moved him to HB. He was a great HB/WR combo for me and even racked up 107 receptions in his RS JR season before declaring for the draft.

you guys have really rebounded well from that embarrassing opening loss. Maybe you'll luck out and get them again in the CFP to exact some revenge

Playing catch-up again, but what a tear you have been on since that loss to Tennessee.

Huge come from behind win against Michigan, another top-10 win against Clemson & a KO return for TD. Good Sh!t man!

Thanks, guys. The season seems to have taken on a life of its own once we shook off that loss and got in a groove. Hoping to ride it all the way to another natty. I've had seasons take on a life of their own in the opposite direction, namely my first couple seasons here where one loss led to three or four.

[BDawg35]

2028 SEASON - GAME 9




Nebraska quarterback Joshua Roe scores the winning touchdown with 45 seconds left.


Nebraska quarterback Joshua Roe flexes after scoring the winning touchdown with 45 seconds left.


Northwestern cornerback Jayvon Hope tackles Nebraska running back Carlos Arrollo for a safety.


Fourth-string Northwestern running back Howie Brazzell celebrates a touchdown.


Northwestern receiver Brendan Wicks grabs a touchdown catch.


Nebraska receiver J.P. Rubin scores on a 42-yard touchdown catch.


Nebraska receiver Dae’vonn Hall catches a touchdown pass between Northwestern safeties Sean Martin (43) and
Tito Williams (32).


Nebraska running back Carlos Arrollo is in the clear for a 72-yard touchdown run.

I SPY SOMETHING BAD
Nebraska scrambles for winning TD
with :45 left to beat Northwestern

LINCOLN, Neb. — B-Dawg tries as much as possible to have a linebacker spying the quarterback every chance he gets.

It isn’t just for the obvious reason — to prevent a quarterback from breaking free. It’s also a useful means of keeping a linebacker near the line of scrimmage in case there’s a handoff to the running back or if there’s a slant or drag route over the middle.

In the frantic moments late in the game against Nebraska on Nov. 4, 2028, with the Cornhuskers driving toward at least a game-tying score, B-Dawg was unable to set up a spy call for one of his linebackers.

It cost him when the linebacker dropped deeper into coverage, creating a scramble opportunity for Nebraska quarterback Joshua Roe.

Roe first turned to his left, but Northwestern defensive end Dennis Rahouski had his path blocked. Roe then cut up the middle as the Red Sea parted, creating an open lane for a 10-yard touchdown run with 45 seconds left in the game.

Instead of merely driving for a tying field goal, the 21st-ranked Cornhuskers had the winning touchdown in a 31-27 victory over fourth-ranked Northwestern.

“That touchdown was very much preventable,” B-Dawg said. “I got flustered and either couldn’t grab the linebacker quickly enough to essentially hot-route him into a spy or I simply forgot. The pressure of playing on the road got to my players at times and apparently also got to this ol’ ball coach.”

The touchdown capped a marathon drive you don’t see the CPU execute very often, a 16-play, 81-yard march that consumed 4 minutes and 17 seconds.

By the time Northwestern got the ball back, the Wildcats had to resort to a deep-passing game that they aren’t equipped to play.

Carson Grove was stopped two yards short of a first down on a fourth-and-10 pass with 28 seconds left. Northwestern managed to get the ball back after getting a three-and-out and using its three timeouts, but had only 12 seconds remaining, not enough time to be a threat.

Northwestern fell behind 14-0 on two big plays, a 41-yard pass from Roe to Dae’vonn Hall and a 72-yard run by Carlos Arrollo.

The lead became 21-3 after another big play, a 42-yard catch-and-run on a screen pass to J.P. Rubin with 2:40 left in the first half.

Northwestern put itself in a good position before halftime, getting a 16-yard touchdown catch from Brendan Wicks and a safety by cornerback Jayvon Hope on Arrollo to make it a 21-12 game at the break.

The Wildcats took their first lead at 27-24 on a 5-yard run by Nazir Kush with 5:04 left in the game, but Northwestern couldn’t get the Nebraska offense off the field on the ensuing possession. The big plays were a third-and-12 middle screen pass with 4:15 remaining and a 7-yard third-and-two pass to Caleb DeCarvalo just as Roe was getting hit.

The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for Northwestern (7-2), which fell to 5-1 in the Big Ten Conference.

“Everything we hope to accomplish is still in our control,” B-Dawg said. “Our margin for error just got smaller.”





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Deon Barry 10 pancakes, 0 sacks; Shawn Boyett 7-0; Idrys Cotton 5-0; Jaelen Camarda 3-0; J.C. Cantwell 2-0; Cornell Kafka 2-0; Calvin Claybrooks 2-1; Rishard Vilain 1-0; Nick Stoddard 1-0; Hayden Eligon 1-0.

[redsox907]

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

I hate scrambling QBs. Even when you do spy, if they're fast enough with good COD they just weave around the spy smh.

As you said though, everything is still within your control. Just play your game and the wins will keep comin

[BDawg35]

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

I hate scrambling QBs. Even when you do spy, if they're fast enough with good COD they just weave around the spy smh.

As you said though, everything is still within your control. Just play your game and the wins will keep comin

Yeah, I've noticed spies aren't as lockdown as they've been in past versions of the game. I think the CPU QB still senses it and limits the scrambles.

Nothing frosts my biscuits more than having a scrambling QB beat me for a touchdown. A pick-six, a long pass, a long run by the running back, anything but a scrambling QB beating me on a play that broke down because I covered everything correctly.

[crques]

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

First, let me say that I really enjoy your thread. Sorry if I've missed it, but what sliders are you using? Thanks.

[BDawg35]

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

First, let me say that I really enjoy your thread. Sorry if I've missed it, but what sliders are you using? Thanks.

Welcome to the party and thanks for checking in!

I started out with Sword and Armor's All-American sliders, then have had to make tweaks periodically to suit my ability. At some point, I'll need to post where my sliders are at the moment.

[BDawg35]

UPDATED 2028 NATIONAL RANKINGS