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

[redsox907]

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

ouch...tough couple of losses with the blowout to UM then the blunder at the end of the PSU game, but it happens.

Still a great season overall with the record and a win over Oregon. I've lost to them once in my USC chise, but overall they've been pretty underwhelming everytime I've played them

[BDawg35]

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

ouch...tough couple of losses with the blowout to UM then the blunder at the end of the PSU game, but it happens.

Still a great season overall with the record and a win over Oregon. I've lost to them once in my USC chise, but overall they've been pretty underwhelming everytime I've played them

I'm not sure many coaches forget the score when driving down the field, but thanks for the encouragement.

It's funny how some teams can sim these great numbers and look dangerous, but when you play them they're not so tough. I'm more afraid of Illinois (more on that later) than Oregon.

[BDawg35]

2025 SEASON - GAME 12




Mario Sanders of Illinois isn’t going to be caught on a game-winning 47-yard touchdown catch with 1:59 left.


Northwestern’s Josh Fussell drops a fourth-and-five pass from Illinois’ 6-yard line with 17 seconds left.


Northwestern’s Josh Fussell hauls in a 51-yard pass against Illinois.


Illinois’ Ashton Hollins is in the clear with a 51-yard touchdown catch.


Northwestern tight end Julius Hazel grabs a 4-yard touchdown pass.


Northwestern strong safety Devin Turner breaks up a pass.


Northwestern defensive tackle Zach Cobb sacks Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, forcing a fumble.


Northwestern defensive tackle Brendan Flakes recovers a fumble.

OUT OF POSITION
Speedy CB playing WR drops key pass,
Northwestern loses to Fighting Illini

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — There’s a certain risk/reward when you take a speedy player from another position group and have him play wide receiver.

Josh Fussell’s 98 SPD is intoxicating, especially in the early stages of this Northwestern dynasty when the Wildcats are bereft of fleet-footed players.

But Fussell’s natural position is cornerback, not wide receiver.

And while you get tantalizing moments, like his 51-yard catch against Illinois on Nov. 29, 2025, you also get those times where you want to pull out your hair watching balls clank off his hands.

We saw the full spectrum of possibilities from Fussell during 14th-ranked Northwestern’s 24-17 loss to the 23rd-ranked Fighting Illini.

Fussell had seven catches for 117 yards, including the 51-yarder on the same drive in which he dropped a third-and-three pass … before catching a fourth-and-three pass.

But Fussell is no Mario Sanders.

While Sanders was able to haul in a 47-yard touchdown pass with 1:59 remaining for what proved to be the winning touchdown, Fussell dropped a critical fourth-and-five pass from the Illinois 6-yard line with 17 seconds left in the game to end Northwestern’s comeback bid.

Fussell was running a drag route from left to right. The pass was short of the first-down marker and it appeared he was going to get tackled anyway but, as B-Dawg said, “You’ve got to at least catch the ball and give yourself a chance.”

On the winning touchdown pass to Sanders, B-Dawg violated one of his defensive principles — don’t panic, stay patient — and called for a thunder smoke blitz. That left Sanders wide open for a gift game-winning touchdown.

“I haven’t exactly made good choices lately,” B-Dawg admitted. “I almost never get any benefit from blitzing and almost always get burned. If we just stay in our system, they may move the ball, but we will usually stop them eventually. In this case, I didn’t want them grinding away at the clock and getting into field goal range, which for the CPU is 60 yards and in.”

A disturbing trend is developing at Northwestern under B-Dawg. Last year’s team lost its final four games, while this year’s team will take a three-game losing streak into its bowl game after starting 8-1, albeit three losses against nationally ranked teams.





NORTHWESTERN BLOCKING
Jordan Knox 8 pancakes, 0 sacks; Anthony Birsa 3-0; Julius Hazel 2-0; Nick Herzog 2-0; Corey Capobianco 2-1; Josh Fussell 1-0; Jaelen Camarda 1-0; Simon Silva 1-0; Jaylen Love 1-0; Shawn Boyett 1-1.

[BDawg35]

CLASS OF 2026 RECRUITING UPDATE















It looks like Northwestern will be a running team for the foreseeable future.

The first four-star offensive player to commit to the Wildcats during B-Dawg’s two years at the helm is running back Nazir Kush of Waukesha, Wis. Defensive tackle Zack Cobb was the team’s first four-year signing last season.

The Wildcats also brought two quarterbacks into the fold, though three-star Sam Kilgo of Washington, Md. has more of a chance to play than two-star Daevon Paul of Marbury, Ala.

[BDawg35]

FINAL 2025 HEISMAN UPDATE BEFORE CEREMONY



1. KENDRICK LAW, Alabama, WR, Sr.
2. CADE KLUBNIK, Clemson, QB, Sr.
3. AVERY JOHNSON, Kansas State, QB, Jr.
4. NICO IAMALEAVA, QB, Tennessee, rSoph.
5. THOMAS CASTELLANOS, QB, Boston College, Sr.

[BDawg35]

2025 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

2025 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

Conference USA: Sam Houston 27, Middle Tennessee 17
MAC: Bowling Green 40, Ohio 14
Big 12: Kansas State 38, Utah 12
Sun Belt: Texas State 25, Old Dominion 17
SEC: Alabama 27, Georgia 24
American: Alabama-Birmingham 42, North Texas 40
Mountain West: Fresno State 31, San Jose State 28
ACC: Clemson 28, Boston College 25
Big Ten: Penn State 33, Oregon 21

[BDawg35]

2025 BOWL BID, PLAYOFF BRACKET

[cookies00]

Re: 2025 BOWL BID, PLAYOFF BRACKET

Feels like that should have been a win against Illinois. Another good building year though.

You must be slightly bummed that you don't get to play on the blue turf ha.

[BDawg35]

Re: 2025 BOWL BID, PLAYOFF BRACKET

Feels like that should have been a win against Illinois. Another good building year though.

You must be slightly bummed that you don't get to play on the blue turf ha.

Super bummed!!! I know sometimes Boise will play a bowl game on its home field and it's ... GLORIOUS!!!

I'll be talking with their coach during bowl week about arranging a game on the Smurf Turf sometime soon.

[RyanLeaf16]

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

Michigan was just a complete disaster of a game, but Penn State & Illinois. Brutal ways to lose.

Especially Penn State. That game is gonna be talked about for a loooooong time. Saka & "KATZ" are going to the next level and they're gonna hear about it haha.

That said, NW is creeping closer and closer to title contention. Keep at it. Keep pounding that rock and usering that EDGE. Till then, focus on those boys from Idaho and get a ninth win for the 'Cats!

[BDawg35]

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

Michigan was just a complete disaster of a game, but Penn State & Illinois. Brutal ways to lose.

Especially Penn State. That game is gonna be talked about for a loooooong time. Saka & "KATZ" are going to the next level and they're gonna hear about it haha.

That said, NW is creeping closer and closer to title contention. Keep at it. Keep pounding that rock and usering that EDGE. Till then, focus on those boys from Idaho and get a ninth win for the 'Cats!

Saka and KATZ will be playing in the league with teammates from Penn State who will be needling them about their dumb-azz coach!

Really hoping the four-star running back I just signed allows us to ground and pound successfully for the next four years. Just need to bring some O-linemen on board to help him out.

[RyanLeaf16]

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

Saka and KATZ will be playing in the league with teammates from Penn State who will be needling them about their dumb-azz coach!

Really hoping the four-star running back I just signed allows us to ground and pound successfully for the next four years. Just need to bring some O-linemen on board to help him out.

I focus on power lineman. At the end of the day, if you need OLine, you can't be too picky, but I target power guys b/c I prefer to run the ball anyway. I played a game in my Madden 'chise two nights ago and I ran the ball 51 times to 18 passes, so I'm always looking to grab lineman specifically for the run game.

[djp73]

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

another solid season, the bowl win would be a nice way to cap it. maybe next year you will be on the winning end of those close losses

[BDawg35]

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

I focus on power linemen. At the end of the day, if you need OLine, you can't be too picky, but I target power guys b/c I prefer to run the ball anyway. I played a game in my Madden 'chise two nights ago and I ran the ball 51 times to 18 passes, so I'm always looking to grab linemen specifically for the run game.

I love your offense! That's REAL football! We aren't playing a video game, gentlemen!

I'm lucky to get any warm body on the O-line at this point. Perhaps when I'm knocking out top-10 classes on the regular, I can be more picky about player types.

another solid season, the bowl win would be a nice way to cap it. maybe next year you will be on the winning end of those close losses

Hopefully I learn the game more and develop some plays that work for me. I feel like I'm fumbling around in the dark with this game so far.

[BDawg35]

2025 COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS







Nation’s best defensive player
can’t make All-Big Ten team

The awards system in College Football ’25 continues to be baffling.

Last year, Northwestern linebacker Xander Mueller won the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in college football and was second for Defensive Player of the year, but didn’t even crack the All-Big Ten Conference first or second team.

This season, Northwestern defensive end Anto Saka cleaned up at the college football awards presentation, winning three major trophies. He won Defensive Player of the Year, the Lombardi Award and Best Defensive End.

But don’t bother looking for his name on the All-America or even the All-Big Ten lists — you don’t find it.

Neither is outside linebacker Braydon Brus, who finished second for Defensive Player of the Year. Or middle linebacker Brendan McIntosh, who finished seventh. Brus was second for the Butkus, while McIntosh was fifth.

The only Northwestern players to land on the first or second team on either list are guard Jordan Knox and strong safety Devin Turner, who made second-team All-Big Ten.

“This isn’t NCAA ’14 where I would have nearly half the all-conference list and about 10 All-Americans,” Northwestern coach B-Dawg said. “Granted, our team isn’t good enough to dominate the awards like that, but who at EA thought it made sense to have a player clean up the major defensive awards, but not make even second-team All-Big Ten?”




PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kendrick Law, Alabama, WR, SR.
HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR: Neil Hobbs, Georgia
BEST QUARTERBACK: Avery Johnson, Kansas State, Jr.
BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Anto Saka, Northwestern, DE, rSr.
BEST DEFENSIVE BACK: Kamari Wilson, Georgia, SS, Sr.
BEST RUNNING BACK: Nicholas Singleton, Penn State, Sr.
BEST RECEIVER: Kendrick Law, Alabama, Sr.
LOMBARDI: Anto Saka, Northwestern, DE, rSr.
UNITAS GOLDEN ARM: Drew Allar, Penn State, Sr.
BEST DEFENSIVE END: Anto Saka, Northwestern, rSr.
BEST INTERIOR LINEMAN: Xavier Hill, Memphis, OG, rSr.
BEST TIGHT END: Oscar Delp, Georgia, Sr.
BROYLE AWARD: Blue Lindsey, Georgia, OC
BUTKUS: Deontae Lawson, Georgia, MLB, rSr.
BEST CENTER: Brady Small, Army, Jr.
LOU GROZA: John Love, Virginia Tech, K, rJr.
RAY GUY: Anthony Venneri, Ohio State, P, Sr.
BEST RETURNER: Jaylen Lloyd, Nebraska, WR, Jr.




FIRST TEAM
QB, Avery Johnson, Kansas State, Jr.
HB, Nicholas Singleton, Penn State, Sr.
HB, Terion Stewart, Bowling Green, rSr.
WR, Kendrick Law, Alabama, Sr.
WR, Noah Rogers, North Carolina State, rSoph.
WR, Jeremiah Aaron, North Texas, Sr.
TE, Garrett Oakley, Kansas State, rJr.
OT, Josh Conerly, Oregon, Sr.
OT, Francis Mauigoa, The U, Jr.
OG, Wendell Moe, Arizona, rJr.
OG, Xavier Hill, Memphis, rSr.
C, Parker Brailsford, Alabama, rJr.
DE, Patrick Payton, Florida State, rSr.
DE, CJ Bazile, Liberty, Sr.
DT, Peter Woods, Clemson, Jr.
DT, Darrell Jackson, Florida State, rSr.
OLB, Harold Perkins, LSU, Sr.
MLB, Nick Martin, Oklahoma State, rSr.
OLB, Jaylen Sneed, Notre Dame, Sr.
CB, Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State, Sr.
CB, Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, rSr.
FS, Caleb Downs, Ohio State, Jr.
SS, Kevin Winston, Penn State, Sr.
K, Mason Shipley, Texas State, rSr.
P, Max Fletcher, Cincinnati, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Cade Klubnik, Clemson, Sr.
HB, Dylan Edwards, Kansas State, Jr.
HB, Freddie Brock, Georgia State, rSr.
WR, Isaiah Bond, Georgia, Sr.
WR, Amare Thomas, Alabama-Birmingham, Jr.
WR, Troy Stellato, Clemson, rSr.
TE, Johncarlos Miller, Texas Tech, rSr.
OT, Kadyn Proctor, Alabama, Jr.
OT, Emery Jones, Florida State, Sr.
OG, Dylan Fairchild, Georgia, rSr.
OG, Jager Burton, Kentucky, rSr.
C, Drew Kendall, Boston College, rSr.
DE, Rueben Bain, The U, rSoph.
DE, Kelby Collins, Florida, Jr.
DT, Jordan Phillips, Maryland, rJr.
DT, Bear Alexander, USC, Sr.
OLB, Sonny Styles, Ohio State, Sr.
MLB, Lander Barton, Utah, Sr.
OLB, Anthony Hill, Texas, Jr.
CB, Domani Jackson, Alabama, Sr.
CB, Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State, Sr.
FS, Dillon Thieneman, Purdue, Jr.
SS, Shyheim Brown, Florida State, rSr.
K, Alex McPherson, Auburn, rJr.
P, Ross James, Oregon, rSr.

FRESHMAN
QB, Jaden Rashada, Georgia, rFr.
HB, Jordan Lyle, The U, rFr.
HB, Antoine Heflin, Northern Illinois, Fr.
WR, KJ Duff, Rutgers, rFr.
WR, Cam Williams, Notre Dame, rFr.
WR, Kylan Billiot, LSU, rFr.
TE, Soma Cobbs, Rice, Fr.
OT, Jensen Somerville, UCLA, rFr.
OT, Juan Minaya, The U, rFr.
OG, Dontrell Holt, Iowa State, rFr.
OG, Eugene Brooks, Oklahoma, rFr.
C, Cooper Cousins, Penn State, rFr.
DE, Bryce Young, Notre Dame, rFr.
DE, Amaree Williams, Florida State, rFr.
DT, Jericho Johnson, Oregon, rFr.
DT, Peter Pesansky, North Carolina, rFr.
OLB, Jerod Smith, Kentucky, rFr.
MLB, Caleb Redd, Kentucky, rFr.
OLB, Kris Jones, Georgia, rFr.
CB, Tylen Frazier, Florida State, rFr.
CB, CJ Blocker, Utah, rFr.
FS, Tate Hamby, Vanderbilt, rFr.
SS, Brody Barnhardt, North Carolina State, rFr.
K, Kellen Lyles, Kentucky, rFr.
P, Grant Chadwick, Middle Tennessee State, rFr.




FIRST TEAM
QB, Drew Allar, Penn State, Sr.
HB, Nicholas Singleton, Penn State, Sr.
HB, Darius Taylor, Michigan, Jr.
WR, KJ Duff, Rutgers, rFr.
WR, Semaj Morgan, Michigan, Jr.
WR, Rashid Williams, Washington, rSoph.
TE, Brennan Parachek, Michigan State, Jr.
OT, Josh Conerly, Oregon, Sr.
OT, Riley Mahlman, Wisconsin, rSr.
OG, Joe Brunner, Wisconsin, rJr.
OG, JP Benzschawel, Wisconsin, rSr.
C, Iapani Laloulu, Oregon, rJr.
DE, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State, Sr.
DE, Enow Etta, Michigan, rJr.
DT, Jordan Phillips, Maryland, rJr.
DT, Bear Alexander, USC, Sr.
OLB, Sonny Sykes, Ohio State, Sr.
MLB, Jaishawn Barham, Michigan, Sr.
OLB, Ernest Hausmann, Michigan, Sr.
CB, Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State, Sr.
CB, D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana, Jr.
FS, Caleb Downs, Ohio State, Jr.
SS, Kevin Winston, Penn State, Sr.
K, Atticus Sappington, Oregon, rSr.
P, Ross James, Oregon, rSr.

SECOND TEAM
QB, Miller Moss, USC, rSr.
HB, Jam Miller, Ohio State, Sr.
HB, Jonah Coleman, Washington, Sr.
WR, Kaden Saunders, Penn State, rJr.
WR, Justius Lowe, Oregon, rJr.
WR, Rico Flores, UCLA, Jr.
TE, Jerry Cross, Penn State, rJr.
OT, Teddy Prochazka, Nebraska, rSr.
OT, Drew Azzopardi, Washington, rJr.
OG, Jordan Knox, Northwestern, Jr.
OG, Tegra Tshabola, Ohio State, rSr.
C, Josh Kreutz, Illinois, rSr.
DE, Travion Ford, Ohio State, rJr.
DE, Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State, rSr.
DT, Derrick Harmon, Oregon, rSr.
DT, Aaron Graves, Iowa, rJr.
OLB, Darryl Peterson, Wisconsin, rSr.
MLB, Kobe King, Penn State, rSr.
OLB, Wayne Matthews, Michigan State, rSr.
CB, Amorion Walker, Michigan, rJr.
CB, Ephesians Prysock, Oregon, Sr.
FS, Dillon Thieneman, Purdue, Jr.
SS, Devin Turner, Northwestern, Sr.
K, Jai Patel, Rutgers, Sr.
P, Anthony Venneri, Ohio State, Sr.

FRESHMAN
QB, Julian Sayin, Ohio State, rFr.
HB, Jakori McFarland, Northwestern, rFr.
HB, Dom Feeny, USC, Fr.
WR, KJ Duff, Rutgers, rFr.
WR, Dae’vonn Hall, Nebraska, rFr.
WR, Ryan Pellum, Oregon, rFr.
TE, Luke Reynolds, Penn State, rFr.
OT, Mercer Luniewski, Michigan State, rFr.
OT, Jensen Somerville, UCLA, rFr.
OG, Zafir Stewart, Illinois, rFr.
OG, Austin Goldberg, Michigan, Fr.
C, Cooper Cousins, Penn State, rFr.
DE, Mylachi Williams, Penn State, rFr.
DE, Angelo McCullom, Illinois, rFr.
DT, Jericho Johnson, Oregon, rFr.
DT, Jide Abasiri, USC, rFr.
OLB, Willis McGahee, Nebraska, rFr.
MLB, Henry Cahill, Oregon, Fr.
OLB, Elijah Newby, USC, rFr.
CB, Shakim Howard, Nebraska, rFr.
CB, Ify Obidegwu, Oregon, rFr.
FS, DK Gilley, Rutgers, rFr.
SS, Roger Gradney, Nebraska, rFr.
K, Enrique Swaim, Northwestern, Fr.
P, Storm Bettis, Rutgers, Fr.