Sep 29, 2015 at 2:15p ET
Sep 29, 2015 at 2:15p ET
Two seasons ago, Northwestern went undefeated in nonconference play and then managed one Big Ten victory.
Focused on avoiding such a slide, the No. 16 Wildcats open league action looking to start 5-0 for the third time in six seasons Saturday against visiting Minnesota.
Northwestern is no stranger to early success, going 21-3 in August and September since the start of the 2010 season. However, it's 6-14 in October during that span.
The Wildcats won all four games on their nonconference slate in 2013, then dropped seven straight Big Ten contests before ending the season with a 37-34 victory at Illinois.