It’s the midway point of the college football season, and the area team with bragging rights is … Northwestern? In your face, Notre Dame!
Before Evanston starts planning any parades over the Wildcats’ 5-1 record, we should remind you that a lot can happen over the final six games — including a season-ending showdown with Illinois at Ryan Field that could have major bowl implications.
Here, now, at the midpoint of the season — halftime, if you will — is a look back and a look forward for Illinois, Northwestern, Notre Dame and Northern Illinois.
THE TEAMS
Illinois
3-3 overall, 1-2 Big Ten
So far: The losses against Penn State and Missouri are excusable, but last week’s homecoming debacle against Minnesota smarts. It also probably eliminated any hope the Illini had of playing in a New Year’s Day bowl game for the second consecutive year.
Best-case scenario: The Illini win the games they should against Indiana, Iowa and Western Michigan, spring another upset of Ohio State and earn a berth to a mid-tier bowl game.
Worst-case scenario: The Illini get the wins they should against Indiana and Western Michigan but can’t solve the middle-tier Big Ten teams. Hello, Motor City Bowl!
Whizzer’s take
A couple of more big games for quarterback Juice Williams, and I personally will launch his 2009 Heisman Trophy campaign. You’re my dog, Juice!
Notre Dame
4-2 overall
So far: With wins over Michigan, Purdue, Stanford and San Diego State, Notre Dame has put the “fight” back in Fighting Irish. The two losses, to Michigan State and North Carolina, are disappointing but not devastating.
Best-case scenario: The Golden Domers take care of their average to below-average schedule strength and enter the season finale against USC with a 9-2 record. ESPN and The Sporting News both see the Irish in the Gator Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: Last week’s loss at North Carolina snowballs and the Irish find themselves on the losing end of games against Navy, Boston College and Pittsburgh. Assuming Notre Dame beats doormats Washington and Syracuse, that scenario sends the Domers to USC with a 6-5 record. Gulp!
Whizzer’s take
Notre Dame’s schedule is like my gourmet canned dog food — soft, delicious and good for what ails me.
Northern Illinois
3-3 overall, 2-1 Mid-American Conference
So far: The Huskies are better than their record indicates. The losses were 31-27 at resurgent Minnesota, 29-26 at Western Michigan and, impressively, 13-9 at Tennessee.
Best-case scenario: NIU’s conference-best defense continues to dominate and lift them to the top of the MAC standings. It’s unrealistic to think the Huskies are playing for a bowl berth at this point, but there’s nothing wrong with moral victories.
Worst-case scenario: The Huskies lose their homecoming game to Toledo (a 13-10 winner at Michigan last weekend) on Saturday, then to No. 24 Ball State two weeks later and plunge into college football irrelevance.
Whizzer’s take
Where have you gone, Michael Turner and Garrett Wolfe?
Northwestern
5-1 overall, 1-1 Big Ten
So far: The Wildcats started a season 5-0 for the first time in 46 years, but they played Ohio, Duke, Syracuse, Southern Illinois and Iowa to do it. The only true test was against Michigan State, and that was a decisive loss.
Best-case scenario: Northwestern regains its momentum against Purdue, Indiana and Minnesota and wins at least two of its final three against Ohio State, Michigan and Illinois. Outback Bowl?
Worst-case scenario: The meat of the Big Ten schedule brings out Northwestern’s inner Mildcat and the team struggles to win enough games to become eligible for a bowl game.
Whizzer’s take
I don’t know yet whether to chase these guys or ignore them. Dang, I hate cats.
