Northwestern, all things considered, is having a good year. Sitting at 3-3 at the bye week is a better result than most people would have predicted heading into the season. Now, in pursuit of a bowl appearance, the ‘Cats turn their attention to a stretch on their schedule that includes five of the next six against teams from the most fun division in college football: the Big Ten West.
Soon, all of its glory will be over. Washington, Oregon, UCLA and USC will all join the Big Ten, and the West will cease to exist. The division that brought us extreme parity followed by an eventual blowout loss in the Big Ten Championship game every year will be no more.