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

Fortune favors the bold brotha! Keep that foot on the gas pedal and bring home National Championship #2!

I always choose to go for the win instead of playing for the tie or overtime. Gotta risk it to get the biscuit!

Nice win b-dawg

Thanks for checking in again, guys.

One of my frustrations playing the CPU over the years is it doesn't play as aggressively as a user, even a user who doesn't cheese the game by going for it on fourth-and-10 from their own side of the field. I've won a bunch of games because the CPU punted on fourth-and-one or I went 3-for-4 on fourth down in a game. I'm not going to dumb down my coaching and do what the CPU would do in the same situation though.

[BDawg35]

2028 NATIONAL SEMIFINAL PREVIEW



Penn State, Northwestern ready for
defensive battle in national semis

THE ATL — Fans of old-school football will love the 2028 College Football Playoff semifinal matchup between No. 5 Penn State and No. 12 Northwestern in the Peach Bowl.

The same teams met in the Big Ten Conference championship game, with Northwestern winning 21-3 in a game that had as many safeties (two) as touchdowns. It was the only loss this season for Penn State (14-1).

When the teams met in 2025, Penn State pulled out a 17-16 victory. Northwestern’s offense came to life in the 2026 meeting, winning 36-7.

So, in three meetings with a dangerous Penn State team, Northwestern has allowed only 26 points. Not bad.

“You can never count on continuing that kind of trend,” Northwestern coach B-Dawg said. “We’ve had success defensively against them, but that could change in a heartbeat if the game decides to give Randy Atogwe a boost of robo-QB nonsense.”

Atogwe was the Heisman front-runner before the loss to Northwestern in the Big Ten championship game. He has thrown for 3,993 yards, 47 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

Penn State will be without 87 OVR starting running back Fame Ijeboi, who suffered a broken hand in the first round of the playoffs. Ijeboi has 921 yards and nine touchdowns on 225 carries. More importantly, he had 112 yards on only 16 carries against the Wildcats.

“Our job will be easier without him in there, but they have a great line so whoever gets the carries could be a problem,” B-Dawg said.

Kelvin Blumberg started in a 35-21 quarterfinal victory over Arkansas, running 13 times for 85 yards.

Penn State will also miss left end Mylachi Williams, who has a torn tricep. Williams has 3.5 sacks and 22 tackles.

The absences of Ijeboi and Williams have dropped Penn State from 90 OVR to 88 OVR. The Nittany Lions are 90 on offense and 87 on defense. Northwestern (11-3) is 83 OVR, 82 on offense and 85 on defense.

B-Dawg is increasing the CPU pass blocking slider from 60 to 70 for this game because his pass rush has felt unrealistically dominant.

The winner will face Michigan or Duke for the national championship in Arlington, Texas.

[BDawg35]

2028 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINALS




Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe celebrates a touchdown run that turned out to be the game-winner.


Penn State’s Walter Rowe returns a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown with 3:21 left in the game.


Northwestern’s Carson Grove caught 13 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown.


Backup Penn State quarterback Cam Potts scores on his only snap of the game.


Northwestern receiver J.C. Cantwell hauls in a 33-yard touchdown pass to set up a touchdown.


Earlier in the game, Cantwell caught a 7-yard touchdown pass out of Monster formation.


Northwestern lineman Izaiah Bush sacks Penn State quarterback Randy Atogwe.


Northwestern lineman Dennis Rahouski sacks Penn State quarterback Randy Atogwe.


Penn State’s Jon Mitchell picks off a pass.


Penn State’s Denton Rees intercepts a pass.

BACK TO THE NATTY!
Penn State puts late scare in NW,
but Wildcats hold on to win semi

THE ATL — Well, you learn something new every game.

Like the CPU is actually able to return a kickoff for a touchdown.

And the CPU will actually apply the modern nonsense known as analytics to make a baffling call for a two-point conversion while trailing by eight points.

Both scenarios made things more interesting in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t keep Northwestern from returning to the national championship game with a 21-15 victory in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 6, 2029.

Northwestern will play a Big Ten opponent for the third straight playoff game, taking on Michigan in Jerry’s World.

This was every bit the defensive battle everyone expected from two teams who played a 21-3 Big Ten Conference championship game, won by Northwestern, one month earlier. That game had only two touchdowns to go with two safeties.

Through three quarters, this game was a 7-7 deadlock. Northwestern’s defense shut down Penn State, while the Wildcats’ offense racked up yardage but couldn’t finish.

A 12-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Boe to Carson Grove with 9:17 left in the game gave Northwestern the lead and a 2-yard run by Boe with 3:32 remaining appeared to lock up a trip to the natty for the Wildcats.

But then Penn State did something the CPU hadn’t done in the five-year history of this dynasty.

Walter Rowe took the ensuing kickoff, split a seam and was gone down the right side for a 100-yard kickoff return with 3:21 left in the game.

Until that point, the CPU had 315 kick returns in this dynasty for an average of 14.7 yards per return. The longest was a 26-yard return by Purdue’s Arhmad Branch in 2024. Only four of those 315 returns were longer than 21 yards.

“You get worried, because when something happens you’ve never seen before, you get concerned the game is about to screw you over,” Northwestern coach B-Dawg said. “I have zero concern when I kick off the ball that the CPU will return it to even the 25-yard line, let alone make a house call.”

Things got even more interesting when Penn State passed up the guaranteed extra point to go for two points. Backup running Kelvin Blumberg, shut down the entire game while starting in place of injured Fame Ijeboi, ran for the two-point conversion to cut the lead to six points.

“Nobody in football history would ever try that until these pointy-headed analytics nerds came around,” B-Dawg said. “Well, I did it a few times in my NCAA ’14 dynasties because toss left out of goal line was cash money in the bank. But that was a huge risk by them, because if they miss then they need to make a two-pointer later just to tie the game. But now we were in a scary position with the chance to lose the game if we couldn’t kill the clock.”

Northwestern took over at its own 15-yard line with 3:17 remaining. Penn State had three timeouts at its disposal, but also got help from the stupid injury glitches that pop up in these circumstances and keep stopping the clock.

One of those injuries, unfortunately, was to All-America running back Nazir Kush, who dislocated his hip. He won’t be available for the national championship game.

Northwestern converted a third-and-four with 3:05 left on an 8-yard pass to Dell Choice. After getting one more first down, they were stopped two yards short on third-and-three from the Penn State 44. This is where B-Dawg rolled the ice and went for the dub, rather than punting the ball back to the Nittany Lions.

Calling QB Blast out of the five-wide formation, Boe ran for the first time to clinch the victory. The Wildcats killed the clock with 10 plays and were able to celebrate their second straight trip to the national championship game.

The Nittany Lions’ offense was woefully inept, getting into the red zone only once. That came after Kush was blown up on fourth-and-inches from Northwestern’s own 26 in the second quarter. Penn State took advantage of the short field, scoring on a 4-yard run by backup quarterback Cam Potts, who was in for one play after starter Randy Atogwe was shaken up.

Penn State had only 19 yards on 18 carries, with only two sacks factoring into the equation, after having 74 yards on 22 carries in the first meeting with six sacks playing into the numbers. Ijeboi had 112 yards on 16 carries in that game.

Northwestern’s offense had three 100-yard performers. Kush had 121 yards on 30 carries, Grove had 135 yards on 13 catches and J.C. Cantwell had 125 yards on 11 catches. Boe aired it out 48 times, completing 35 passes for 325 yards. The Wildcats had a 32:07 to 11:53 advantage in possession.

Both of Penn State's losses in a 14-2 season were to Northwestern (12-3).





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Idrys Cotton 14 pancakes, 0 sacks; Calvin Claybrooks 10-0; Shawn Boyett 7-0; Cornell Kafka 7-1; Deon Barry 5-1; Rishard Vilain 3-0; Nick Stoddard 2-0; Josh Stephen 2-0; Quin Ford 1-0; J.C. Cantwell 1-0; Jaelen Camarda 1-0; Hayden Eligon 1-0.




2028 SEMIFINALS

MICHIGAN 21, DUKE 17: Michigan earned a date with Northwestern in the national championship game by winning the fourth quarter in the Fiesta Bowl. The game was tied 14-14 after three quarters before the Wolverines got a touchdown and Duke only a field goal in the fourth. Anfernee Philbin ran 21 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Jadyn Davis was 17-for-24 for 158 yards and a touchdown for Michigan. Davis also ran eight times for 44 yards. Duke’s Dell Denson, who won the Heisman, was 18-for-28 for 234 yards, one touchdown and one pick.

[BDawg35]

2028 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW



TRACK MEET?
NW, Michigan will battle for natty
in rematch of high-scoring classic

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Big Ten Conference rematch tour continues in the national championship game for Northwestern.

When the 12th-ranked Wildcats face third-ranked Michigan in Jerry’s World, it will be their third straight College Football Playoff game against a conference opponent they faced earlier in the season.

Northwestern completed a sweep of Wisconsin by winning 28-25 in overtime in the quarterfinals and a sweep of Penn State with a 21-15 victory in the semifinals.

Now, can the Wildcats beat Michigan for a second time in a rematch of a game that was easily the most thrilling in this dynasty’s five-year history.

Northwestern fell behind 27-7 late in the first half at the Big House on Oct. 7 before rallying to win 46-44. The teams combined for 1,013 yards of total offense.

“We can’t go through a feeling-out process in this one,” said Northwestern coach B-Dawg, a University of Michigan (hyphen Flint) alum. “Our offense needs to be firing on all cylinders from the get-go because this could be a track meet.”

The Wildcats’ defense will face an immense challenge stopping the run and the pass. In the first game, Anfernee Philbin ran 21 times for 150 yards and a 65-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. The 93 OVR redshirt junior leads the nation in rushing with 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns on 312 carries.

Northwestern has the nation’s second-leading rusher in junior Nazir Kush, but he will miss the game with a dislocated hip.

Fifth-year senior Jadyn Davis, a real-life Michigan quarterback who probably won’t last this long in Ann Arbor, threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting. Davis has thrown for 3,505 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven picks this season.

Northwestern’s Ryan Boe continues to be inconsistent, throwing 20 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He’s 357-for-541 for 3,794 yards. Prince Hoke will start in place of Kush, having run 111 times for 581 yards and five scores this season.

It will help Northwestern (12-3) that Michigan (13-2) is missing two key players. Jo’Zaiah Edmond, an 86 OVR senior cornerback, is out with a torn labrum. Edmond has an interception in each of the last two games against Northwestern. Ezekiel Semple, a 90 OVR junior right tackle, is out with a broken collarbone.

Michigan is 87 OVR, 89 on offense and 87 on defense. Northwestern is 83 OVR, 82 on offense and 85 on defense.

“Playing Michigan for a natty is my dream scenario,” B-Dawg said. “If we can’t win, it will be sorta cool seeing Michigan celebrating a national championship. At least I think it’ll be sorta cool. I might not feel that way if it actually happens.”

[redsox907]

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

I hate going against conference opponents for the entirety of the playoffs, but in a stacked conference like the big ten its almost inevitable.

GL against Michigan!

[RyanLeaf16]

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

Running that B1G gauntlet to try and earn another Natty. Just don't play to not lose and you'll be fine. You will absolutely have a contract for life - soaked in purple - if you finish this one on top.

[BDawg35]

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

I hate going against conference opponents for the entirety of the playoffs, but in a stacked conference like the big ten its almost inevitable.

GL against Michigan!

Yeah, when you have 17 or 18 teams or whatever the Big Ten has now and you can hand-pick the best teams from the west coast, it's not a normal conference situation. Playing in the new Big Ten is why I wanted to use Northwestern. I get a nice mix of opponents and road trips.

Running that B1G gauntlet to try and earn another Natty. Just don't play to not lose and you'll be fine. You will absolutely have a contract for life - soaked in purple - if you finish this one on top.

I'm Dan Campbell when it comes to going for it on fourth down. I don't like to force the ball down the field through the air though because ... well, I listed my QB's TD-to-INT ratio in the preview. It's ugly.

[Deuce2223]

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

I know for me it's always hard when I have to play Boise State in the playoffs knowing I am ending their dreams of a Natty if I win.. Does it feel the same for you as a Michigan fan or do you have the cold hard heart of a stone cold killer when it comes to this matchup.. Either way congrats.. I actually moved Northwestern to the American in my current Dynasty along with Purdue because neither team could win more then 4 games.. Now they are both doing well in the American, but now Indiana and Illinois suck so I am thinking its time to swap them back and see if they can do better this time. I am currently at Ohio State in my 2nd season (don't hate me) but what I hate is the CPU has yet to schedule me games against Washington or Oregon.. I ended up playing Oregon in the Big Ten Championship in my 1st year and thought I would again but they lost to Penn State in Week 13 and it knocked them out..

[bigjdotcom01]

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

Good Luck in the Natty! Bring home another championship!

[BDawg35]

2028 NATTY




Michigan celebrates with the 2028 national championship trophy.


Michigan’s Frank Carruthers kicks the winning field goal on the first possession of overtime.


Michigan running back Anfernee Philbin had touchdown runs of 77 and 81 yards on consecutive carries.


Running back Jakori McFarland scores on a 3-yard run to give Northwestern a 17-14 lead with 1:55 left in the game.


Cornerback Soni Motuapuaka jump-starts at Northwestern comeback with an interception.


Northwestern safety Tito Williams makes a leaping interception falling backwards.


Northwestern tight end Nick Stoddard makes his first touchdown catch.


Northwestern receiver Carson Grove hauls in a 32-yard catch.


Northwestern defensive end Dennis Rahouski sacked Michigan quarterback Jadyn Davis twice on the game-tying
drive late in regulation.

WIDE RIGHT!!!
Missed field goal in OT ends
NW’s hopes for another natty

ARLINGTON, Texas — “And it’s no good. He missed it.”

And with those words from Chris Fowler, Northwestern’s hopes for back-to-back national championships were over.

B-Dawg is five seasons into dynasty mode, yet making a field goal remains an adventure. His lack of stick skillz with the College Football 25 kicking meter cost him dearly, as senior Enrique Swaim shanked a 43-yard attempt horribly wide to the right while attempting to send the Wildcats to a second overtime against Michigan.

Northwestern was feeling good after holding Michigan to a field goal on the first possession of overtime, but that 37-yarder by Frank Carruthers held up as the winning score in the Wolverines’ 20-17 victory in the 2028 national championship game.

The irony of it all is that Swaim had kicked two late field goals to beat Michigan in the past two seasons.

But those were gimme kicks, even for B-Dawg. Swaim beat Michigan in the national quarterfinals last year by making a 28-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the game. He beat the Wolverines by converting a 21-yard kick with 17 seconds left earlier this season.

It was B-Dawg’s greatest fear that his season could come down to a field goal of 40-plus yards. That’s when the kicking meter starts speeding up and that’s when B-Dawg gets nervous. It didn’t help that Michigan called timeout to freeze Swaim, resulting in the kicking meter disappearing partway through the kick.

“It was going wide before I even had a chance to get his leg fully into the kick,” B-Dawg said. “Them freezing the kicker didn’t make the difference. I just blow at kicking anything but chip-shot field goals. Had the kick been down the middle of the field, we had a chance. But this was from the right hash, complicating the angle of the meter.”

Swaim kicked at Northwestern for four seasons, going 8-for-17 on kicks between 40 and 49 yards. His longest was 45 yards. He missed his only attempt longer than 49 yards.

“We don’t bother even thinking about field goals from 45 yards out or longer,” B-Dawg said. “I’ll usually just go for it on fourth down in those situations.”

Going for it on fourth down in this scenario wasn’t a great option, because the Wildcats were facing fourth-and-12 as the result of six-yard loss on a pass to running back Prince Hoke on Northwestern’s first play of overtime. Hoke was jammed up coming out of the backfield and caught behind the line.

After a four-yard pass to Carson Grove and an incompletion on third-and-12, B-Dawg reluctantly sent out his kicker.

“The play of the game turned out to be the negative play on the pass to Hoke,” B-Dawg said. “We probably get a touchdown, but at least get the tying field goal from closer range.”

The Wildcats hoped they secured the natty when senior Jakori McFarland scored on a 3-yard run with 1:55 left in the fourth quarter to give them a 17-14 lead.

But Michigan overcame a sack early on its next possession to get the tying 25-yard field goal from Carruthers with 11 seconds left in regulation time.

Two field goals by Carruthers were all the Michigan offense could manage after two explosive touchdown runs by Anfernee Philbin in the second quarter.

On back-to-back carries, Philbin had touchdown runs of 77 and 81 yards to put Michigan up 14-3 with 5:28 left in the second quarter. He was contained after that, finishing with 194 yards on 19 carries. Helping pave the way for his success was 87 OVR senior guard Ronnie Baldridge, who had 15 pancakes.

Northwestern finally got in the end zone when tight end Nick Stoddard caught his first career touchdown pass from 12 yards out with 22 seconds left in the first half.

After a scoreless third quarter, McFarland showed up on the field in place of Hoke and made some big plays in his final college game. The real-life Wildcat running back caught two third-and-four passes to move the chains, then barely got a first down on fourth-and-one to the 3-yard line. On the next play, he scored to cap a 16-play, 79-yard drive that consumed 4:37.

Defensive end Dennis Rahouski had two sacks on Michigan’s ensuing drive, but Jadyn Davis scrambled for a first down on third-and-14 to kick-start the game-tying drive. The second sack was deep enough in Northwestern territory that it didn’t push the Wolverines out of field goal range.

Northwestern nearly pulled off a miracle on the final play of regulation, as freshman receiver J.C. Cantwell caught a tipped ball for a 45-yard gain, only to be quickly brought down on a touchdown-saving tackle.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Deon Barry 12 pancakes, 0 sacks; Calvin Claybrooks 6-0; Jaelen Camarda 3-0; Cornell Kafka 3-0; Josh Stephen 3-0; Nick Stoddard 3-0; Shawn Boyett 3-0; Idrys Cotton 2-0; Rishard Vilain 2-0.




2028 BOWL GAMES
WEEK 1
LA Bowl: UCLA 42, Nevada 21
Frisco Bowl: Louisiana 21, Florida Atlantic 13
Fenway Bowl: Syracuse 28, Tulsa 27
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Arkansas State 28, Akron 27
Bahamas Bowl: Liberty 35, Coastal Carolina 31
CFP first round: Michigan 31, Bowling Green 23
Cure Bowl: Toledo 24, Texas State 20
CFP first round: Stanford 31, Clemson 20
New Mexico Bowl: Jacksonville State 34, UNLV 21
Las Vegas Bowl: Fresno State 31, Brigham Young 20
CFP first round: Penn State 45, Notre Dame 42
68 Ventures Bowl: South Alabama 16, Buffalo 13
CFP first round: Wisconsin 38, The U 34
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: San Jose State 36, Oregon State 22
Boca Raton Bowl: South Florida 21, Virginia Tech 17
Detroit Bowl: Miami (Ohio) 25, Nebraska 17
New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana Tech 34, Massachusetts 17
Hawaii Bowl: San Diego State 42, Kentucky 21
Gasparilla Bowl: Texas Christian 20, California 16
Independence Bowl: Utah 27, Colorado State 14
Armed Forces Bowl: Boise State 46, Texas-El Paso 44
Texas Bowl: Mississippi 24, Texas Tech 17
Military Bowl: Southern Methodist 38, East Carolina 16
First Responder Bowl: Tulane 34, Marshall 20
Liberty Bowl: Alabama-Birmingham 29, Houston 7
Birmingham Bowl: Pittsburgh 27, Old Dominion 17
Holiday Bowl: Oregon 36, North Carolina State 29
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Hawaii 38, Cincinnati 24
Camellia Bowl: Eastern Michigan 42, Troy 17
Gator Bowl: Charlotte 29, Georgia 27
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Kansas State 34, Rice 24
Sun Bowl: Auburn 24, Memphis 16
Arizona Bowl: Oklahoma 41, Central Michigan 10
Music City Bowl: Ohio State 45, Tennessee 39
Alamo Bowl: Iowa 35, Baylor 31
Pop-Tarts Bowl: Louisville 27, West Virginia 24
Reliaquest Bowl: South Carolina 24, Illinois 17
Citrus Bowl: Texas A&M 17, Michigan State 12
WEEK 2
Sugar Bowl: Penn State 35, Arkansas 21
Rose Bowl: Northwestern 28, Wisconsin 25
Orange Bowl: Duke 30, Stanford 20
Cotton Bowl: Michigan 45, Iowa State 3
WEEK 3
Peach Bowl: Northwestern 21, Penn State 15
Fiesta Bowl: Michigan 21, Duke 17
WEEK 4
The Natty: Michigan 20, Northwestern 17 (OT)


FINAL 2028 AP RANKINGS

1. Michigan (45), 14-2
2. Northwestern, 12-4
3. Penn State, 14-2
4. Duke, 13-2
5. Wisconsin, 10-4
6. Arkansas, 11-3
7. Clemson, 9-4
8. Stanford, 11-3
9. South Carolina, 11-3
10. Notre Dame, 9-4
11. Oregon, 11-2
12. The U, 98-4
13. Pittsburgh, 11-3
14. Texas A&M, 10-3
15. Fresno State, 10-3
16. Tulane, 12-2
17. Iowa State, 10-4
18. Alabama-Birmingham, 10-3
19. Tennessee, 8-5
20. Bowling Green, 10-4
21. Hawaii, 10-3
22. Old Dominion, 10-4
23. Liberty, 10-4
24. UNLV, 9-5
25. South Florida, 9-4


FINAL 2028 COACHES’ POLL

1. Michigan (61), 14-2
2. Northwestern, 12-4
3. Penn State, 14-2
4. Duke, 13-2
5. Oregon, 11-2
6. Wisconsin, 10-4
7. Arkansas, 11-3
8. Clemson, 9-4
9. Stanford, 11-3
10. South Carolina, 11-3
11. The U, 98-4
12. Pittsburgh, 11-3
13. Notre Dame, 9-4
14. Texas A&M, 10-3
15. Tulane, 12-2
16. Fresno State, 10-3
17. Iowa State, 10-4
18. Alabama-Birmingham, 10-3
19. Tennessee, 8-5
20. Old Dominion, 10-4
21. Bowling Green, 10-4
22. Hawaii, 10-3
23. Liberty, 10-4
24. South Florida, 9-4
25. UNLV, 9-5

[BDawg35]

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

I know for me it's always hard when I have to play Boise State in the playoffs knowing I am ending their dreams of a Natty if I win.. Does it feel the same for you as a Michigan fan or do you have the cold hard heart of a stone cold killer when it comes to this matchup.. Either way congrats.. I actually moved Northwestern to the American in my current Dynasty along with Purdue because neither team could win more then 4 games.. Now they are both doing well in the American, but now Indiana and Illinois suck so I am thinking its time to swap them back and see if they can do better this time. I am currently at Ohio State in my 2nd season (don't hate me) but what I hate is the CPU has yet to schedule me games against Washington or Oregon.. I ended up playing Oregon in the Big Ten Championship in my 1st year and thought I would again but they lost to Penn State in Week 13 and it knocked them out..

There’s something about seeing Michigan have success - even fake success in a dynasty - that makes me happy. But when I play them I know how tough they are and I start disliking them. When I did screenshots of Michigan’s big plays against me, they still looked nice and elicited some good vibes.

I never gave the guts to change around teams unless they’re moving in real life. Plus my own team, of course, if I start in a lower league.

Good Luck in the Natty! Bring home another championship!

Alas … But you knew what was happening, being on the dynasty group chat.

[redsox907]

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

Ouch, losing in OT is rough but on a missed kick is even worse. You(Users in general) struggle with long kicks, then you see the CPU split the uprights from 55 yards out with a 73 OVR kicker smh

Despite the loss, Northwestern is still in great shape with back to back Natty apperances.

[RyanLeaf16]

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

Tough loss, but 2 straight NCG appearances - at Northwestern - is a huge deal. I have to imagine that the program prestige has shot up and you'll start getting 4-5 stars more often. This is the era of "The Kat". Keep chugging along brotha!

[BDawg35]

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

Ouch, losing in OT is rough but on a missed kick is even worse. You(Users in general) struggle with long kicks, then you see the CPU split the uprights from 55 yards out with a 73 OVR kicker smh

Despite the loss, Northwestern is still in great shape with back to back Natty appearances.

Kicking is an exercise in frustration for me. I cranked up the kicking accuracy to 100 to help with the speed of the meter, but it's still a problem on kicks of 40-plus. What I hate about the sliders in this version of the game is you can't do separate sliders for CPU and user for some things, like kicking. So if I crank up accuracy to 100, it's 100 for the CPU as well. The CPU doesn't need slider help, I do. If the CPU misses at all, it's usually on a short kick from a sharp angle.

Tough loss, but 2 straight NCG appearances - at Northwestern - is a huge deal. I have to imagine that the program prestige has shot up and you'll start getting 4-5 stars more often. This is the era of "The Kat". Keep chugging along brotha!

I started my recruiting board for the next season and have a lot of 4-star guys interested. I'm bummed I'm not seeing as many 5-stars yet. We'll see if they are just testing the waters or serious. I have to hope that two straight trips to the natty and two straight Big Ten championships accounts for something on the recruiting trail.

[BDawg35]

2028 SEASON RECAP


Running back Nazir Kush was a first-team All-American and ran for 1,545 yards in 2028.

2028 Northwestern recap

Team ratings: 84 OVR, 84 offense, 85 defense
Preseason ranking: No. 1 coaches, No. 1 AP
Final ranking: No. 2 coaches, No. 2 AP
Record: 12-4, 7-2 Big Ten (2nd place regular season; won conference championship game)
Playoff games: Beat Wisconsin 28-25, OT (quarterfinal, Rose Bowl); beat Penn State 21-15 (semifinal, Peach Bowl); lost to Michigan 20-17, OT (national championship)
Award winners: DE Braxton Strong (Best Defensive Player, Lombardi, Best Defensive End); FS Keke Adams (Best Defensive Back)
First-team All-America: HB Nazir Kush
Second-team All-America: SS Sean Martin
Freshman All-America: None
First-team All-Big Ten: HB Nazir Kush, SS Sean Martin, K Enrique Swaim
Second-team All-Big Ten: C Idrys Cotton
Freshman All-Big Ten: WR J.C. Cantwell
Passing leader: Ryan Boe 380-for-581, 4,029 yards, 21 TD, 20 int.
Rushing leader: Nazir Kush 320 carries, 1,545 yards, 9 TD
Receiving leader: Carson Grove 115 catches, 1,290 yards, 5 TD
Defense: MLB Matthew Smith 117 tackles; DE Braxton Strong 30 TFL, 17.5 sacks; CB Jameel Croft 8 interceptions; CB Jayvon Hope 16 deflections; FS Keke Adams 4 touchdowns; DT Izaiah Bush 2 safeties
Synopsis: Northwestern had to win its final regular season game against Illinois, then have the tie-breaker go its way, to reach the Big Ten championship game and keep its hopes alive for a repeat national title. The Wildcats beat the Illini, won a four-way tie-breaker to play Penn State in the Big Ten title game, won that game, then won two playoff games before kicking issues cost them dearly. Enrique Swaim, who had twice beaten Michigan on last-minute field goals, shanked a 43-yarder in overtime against the Wolverines in the national championship game. Even getting to the natty appeared remote when Northwestern opened the season with a humiliating 37-7 loss at Tennessee, but the Wildcats responded with a seven-game winning streak that included victories over Wisconsin, Clemson, USC and Michigan. The Wildcats were 4-3 on the road and 8-1 at home or on neutral fields. With a fourth-year starting quarterback in Ryan Boe, B-Dawg expected better composure away from home. This was the final season in which real-life players were part of this dynasty.