Good morning, and Happy New Year’s Eve. This edition of the Inside NUsletter will get you ready for the Wildcats and Tigers in the Citrus Bowl, kicking off from Camping World Stadium in Orlando at noon Central tomorrow.
After a brief hiatus for Christmas, we’re back with a flurry of Northwestern-related news.
When we last left off, the ‘Cats were gearing up to play Ohio State for the Big Ten title. For the second time in three years, it wasn’t meant to be. Turnovers and a record-setting day from Buckeye tailback Trey Sermon saw Northwestern come up short again despite holding its own. Northwestern now travels to Central Florida to take on an Auburn team in the middle of a coaching change.
On the court, what a difference two weeks make. Men’s basketball won its first three conference tilts, including its first win over a top five opponent since 1979, to vault into the top 25. All of the sudden, Chris Collins might have another team bound for the NCAA Tournament.
Women’s basketball is still undefeated through four games, as expected. Veronica Burton and company end their nine-day layoff today.
The Big Ten Championship Game
For a brief moment in time, it looked as if Northwestern was about to shock the world and defeat the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes. Alas, too many mistakes cost the ‘Cats, but they leave Indy with the expectation to be back at Lucas Oil Stadium to compete for conference titles on a yearly basis. Here’s a summary of what happened for your perusal:
Rapid Reaction: Ohio State wears out Northwestern in second half to claim Big Ten Championship
Five takeaways from Northwestern’s Big Ten Championship matchup with Ohio State
Northwestern proved it belongs but vows to continue fighting
How Northwestern’s secondary shut down Justin Fields and the Buckeye receivers
Previewing the Citrus Bowl
From a Citrus Bowl bid to a few notable transfers, the news came pouring in after the Big Ten Championship Game. Here’s a quick recap:
Northwestern RB Isaiah Bowser, WR Malik Washington and DB Gunner Maldonado enter the transfer portal
Northwestern CB Greg Newsome II to declare for the NFL Draft
Northwestern WR Kyric McGowan and DL Eku Leota enter the transfer portal
Northwestern will face Auburn on New Year’s Day in a rematch of the wild 2010 Outback Bowl. The Tigers began the season ranked at No. 8, but losses to Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Texas A&M were enough for Gus Malzahn to lose his job after eight seasons. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is the current interim head coach, making way for Boise State’s Bryan Harsin after the season concludes
Auburn’s offense centers around former five-star quarterback Bo Nix and SEC Freshman of the Year Tank Bigsby. The ‘Cats will need to learn from allowing Ohio State’s Trey Sermon to rush for over 300 yards and limit Bigsby in order to give themselves a chance to win (though there are rumors about Bigsby’s availability). The Tigers’ defense has struggled with an inability to get off the field and maintain a pass rush, which could be a boon for an NU offense lacking McGowan and two of its rotational running backs.
Here’s our coverage to date ahead of tomorrow’s game. Be sure to visit the site today as we have a bunch more articles going up.
On the hardwood: We’re a basketball school now
Men’s basketball
Well then. Northwestern won its first three conference games, shocking even the most pessimistic of Inside NU staffers. Despite a loss to Luka Garza and No. 10 Iowa on Tuesday, the ‘Cats look poised to compete in a deep, talented Big Ten this season.
Dominant upset upends expectations for Northwestern men’s basketball
New schematics and a new mindset have the ‘Cats well on their way to a bounce back season
“It’s not just one guy”: With its late game successes, Northwestern is growing up together
Northwestern men’s basketball enters the AP Top 25 for the first time in three years
Rapid Reaction: Nance not enough as No. 19 Northwestern falls to Bohannon, No. 10 Iowa 87-72
No need to overreact, this is still a good Northwestern team
Women’s basketball
There’s not much to report for the defending Big Ten Champions. The trifecta of Lindsey Pulliam, Veronica Burton and Sydney Wood led Northwestern to an easy victory over Eastern Kentucky last week, and after going home for Christmas, the Wildcats return to Welsh-Ryan Arena this afternoon to host Nebraska.
Rapid Reaction: Wildcats flatten Eastern Kentucky 79-50 in strong defensive outing
Northwestern defense flexes muscles as Wildcats prepare for brunt of Big Ten play
Editors’ Picks
Rodger’s pick will be inserted on the site later!
Eli Karp: Northwestern 26, Auburn 16
Big scary SEC, right? I’m not so sure in this matchup. Auburn doesn’t seem to do anything *great*, and I wonder about how the Tigers’ motivation. Northwestern seemingly has more to play for, and a win would mean a lot to the program and cap a very positive year. RCB has another notable performance, and look for Tommy Adebawore to stand out with no Eku Leota.
Lia Assimakopoulos: Northwestern 30, Auburn 24
Hank gets his 400th win, and that’s all that matters.
Daniel Olinger: Northwestern 18, Auburn 11
Trying to rationalize Northwestern football is already a fool’s errand, but trying to give accurate analysis of Auburn at any point time is like trying to find a needle in a haystack of angry commenters. They get beat by less talented teams, then beat Alabama at home for some reason. They finish undefeated in 1993 and 2004 with no title to show for it, but in 2013 win their final two home games in movie-like fashion to reach the BCS Championship. They truly are college football’s chaotic nightmare child, turning every rational sporting contest into a lucid dream.
Colin Kruse: Northwestern 25, Auburn 22
If and only if NU’s defense can contain SEC Freshman of the Year Tank Bigsby on the ground, then Peyton Ramsey and company should have enough to get across the finish line to end this chaotic season on a high note. Roll Tide.
Mac Stone: Auburn 24, Northwestern 20
I’m seeing a lot of people (AKA pretty much the whole staff) pick Northwestern here, so I’m going to do the opposite. Both teams come into this matchup facing some tumult within their own programs, with Auburn firing Gus Malzahn and the ‘Cats seeing multiple transfers of impact players. Bo Nix is one of the more mobile quarterbacks Northwestern has faced this season, and I’m very concerned about what SEC Freshman of the Year Tank Bigsby (great player, even better name) might do to NU’s defense. I would love to be wrong though.
Good Tweets
ICYMI, Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz dropped the Badgers’ trophy while dancing in the locker room postgame.
And Paul Chryst did not get a cooler of mayo dumped on him!
Last Wednesday, Northwestern beat Indiana in the Big Ten Championship.
What’s yours?
We hope you found the Inside NUsletter useful and enjoyable this football season! As always, hit us with feedback at insidenu@gmail.com.
Written by Colin Kruse and Eli Karp