After a 24-14 win over the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon, the Wildcats’ third consecutive victory, Northwestern is 3-1 in Big Ten play, which is good for 2nd in the division (behind 3-0 Nebraska). So, as Josh Burton and Zach Pereles debate, can Northwestern actually compete for the West crown?
Josh Burton: There was a fleeting moment on Saturday that made me think Northwestern could finish the day in a virtual tie (not including tiebreakers) for the Big Ten West lead with Nebraska. An hour after the Wildcats took care of Indiana, Purdue — which had fired head coach Darrell Hazell a few days before — led the Cornhuskers 14-10 at the half in Lincoln.