Expectations can be a peculiar metric to assess. They’re far from perfect. They’re simple projections of what people think should happen based mainly on what has already happened and what they think will happen. They’re artificial. They rarely take into full account every aspect.
And yet, in 2017, expectations will be heaped on the Northwestern Wildcats. They will be there because Northwestern returns 17 of its 22 starters, including its talented quarterback-running duo, a star wide receiver and all four members of its secondary while also getting back one especially talented projected starter at cornerback who missed the entire 2016 season.