Let’s Talk about Northwestern

This weekend, Northwestern beat Iowa 22-17, giving them the best start they’ve had in 46 years.

Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi (see left) and the rest of the Iowa team just couldn’t get moving against Northwestern.

They’re one of the few teams to be 5-0, yet they aren’t on the top 25 list. Is this team underrated? So far, here’s how their season has gone:

• Week One: Syracuse, 30-10 (home)
• Week Two: Duke, 24-20 (away)
• Week Three: Southern Illinois, 33-7 (home)
• Week Four: Ohio, 16-8 (home)
• Week Five: Iowa, 22-17 (away)

And here’s how the rest of their schedule looks:

• 10/11 – Michigan State (home)
• 10/18 – Purdue (home)
• 10/25 – Indiana (away)
• 11/01 – Minnesota (away)
• 11/08 – Ohio State (home)
• 11/15 – Michigan (away)
• 11/22 – Illinois (home)

Ok, now I don’t think there is any disputing the fact that these last seven games will all be harder than the first five. Still, Ohio hasn’t bee horrible this year, regardless of their crappy record – they held their own against Ohio State and Wyoming. Even Duke hasn’t been playing as badly as usual. This week, they beat Virginia 31-3.

So, although I don’t think that Northwester will be able to win out against Michigan State or many of the other team on the schedule, they aren’t horrible. Teams like Purdue and Indiana may find themselves surprised by Northwestern this season, and we should see them slide into the top 25.

Pictures via Newscom.