Western Illinois at Northwestern - 2025 Matchup Preview
Western Illinois logo Western Illinois Leathernecks at Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern logo
Friday, September 5th 2025 (7:30 PM EDT)
Northwestern -30.5 (48.5) (-50000)  Open: -28.0 | 51.5
Northwestern 42 - Western Illinois: 7

 
Leathernecks (0 - 2) (0 - 2 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 5 - 47 (5 - 47 on Road)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
WIU 2nd straight Road Game
Our Line: Northwestern -4  (SP+ NW -2)
NW Win prob: 96% | Cover: 54%
Wildcats (7 - 6) (8 - 4 - 1)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (27 - 12 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.7 - 6.3 (#71)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 5) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 4)
 
Western Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Western Illinois at Illinois+48.562.5L 3 - 52UN
Fri 9/5 Western Illinois at Northwestern+30.548.5L 7 - 42ON

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Western Illinois's Schedule
Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Northwestern at Tulane+6.547.5L 3 - 23UN
Fri 9/5 Northwestern vs Western Illinois-30.548.5W 42 - 7OY
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon+25.550.5L 14 - 34UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA-6.045.5W 17 - 14UN
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe-12.543.5W 42 - 7OY
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State+20.546.5W 22 - 21UY
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-3.047.5W 19 - 0UY
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska+7.544.5L 21 - 28OY
BYE WEEK
Fri 11/7 Northwestern at USC+14.554.5L 17 - 38ON
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan+10.041.5L 22 - 24OY
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota-4.041.0W 38 - 35ON
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois+7.044.5L 13 - 20UY
Fri 12/26 Northwestern vs Central Michigan-13.543.5W 34 - 7UY

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 3, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WIU0%50%000%000%470%0%0000
NW#83 (.15)43% (59)23.446% (48)2.97 (65)15542% (68)1683.21 (114)#73 (.17)45% (117)19.847% (121)44% (100)3.37 (43)32.31.51.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WIU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)39% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)44% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIU Offense2550%00000000%0%0%0%0%
NW Defense1319.812.445.3%3.371.2 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%15%.17
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIU Defense247470%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
NW Offense1323.426.843.1%3.211.5183231551684.851%47%46%42%17%.15

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Illinois20:000NAN%0%0000000100
Northwestern1330:1218.344%63%4.132.31.51.23.61.4028.5
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WIU Offense20%0%000000%0%0
NW Defense1352% (93)47% (121) - - - - .18 (109)3.16 (113)71% (62)9% (94)0.99 (86)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WIU Defense20%0% - - - - 00%0%0
NW Offense1351% (59)46% (48)32.51554.815 (99).14 (57)2.97 (65)76% (41)8% (34)0.91 (91)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WIU Offense20%0%000000000%0%0%0
NW Defense1346% (37)44% (100) - - - - - - 8 (75).24 (62)1.4 (7)28% (121)34% (120).32 (82)6% (64)1.8 (19)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WIU Defense20%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
NW Offense1347% (81)42% (68)15.726.4167.86.410.714 (75)12 (108).21 (88)1.5 (96)30% (49)33% (37).31 (68)9% (131)1.8 (128)

Western Illinois's Power Ratings
Western Illinois's Power Rating: NR
Western Illinois's Offense Rating: NR
Western Illinois's Defense Rating: NR
2025 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Western Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: -
Western Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Western Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Western Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average MVFC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Illinois:    Northwestern: 3.99

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Illinois:    Northwestern: 1.8




Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 3.99  #66
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 8.13  #73
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 6.95  #60
2025 Talent Rating: 840.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #65
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 6.7 - 6.3
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.8  #63
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.4  #97
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.3  #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Western Illinois Scoring
Offense: 5 PPG
Offense on Road: 5
Defense: 47 PPG
Defense on Road: 47

Western Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Over/Under Record: 1 - 1
Record on Road: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Northwestern 26
Western Illinois 22

Total Points: 47

Based on Last 4 Games
Northwestern 35
Western Illinois 13

Total Points: 47

Based on Entire Season
Northwestern 36
Western Illinois 10

Total Points: 46
Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.8
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 12.4

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record at home: 4 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/05Northwestern42Western Illinois7Northwestern -30.5Northwestern48.5Over
201409/20Northwestern24Western Illinois7Northwestern -23Western Illinois0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northwestern211 Overs
Western Illinois010 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 01 - 11 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 21 - 10 - 01 - 1

(#NR) WIU at (#66) NW
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWIUNW
Power RatePwrNR #66
SP+SP+NR #63
Perf GradeGradeNR #51
OffenseOffNR #35
DefenseDefNR #86
Spec TeamsSTNR #108
TalentTalNR #41
Blue ChipsBC%NR #65
Northwestern Notes
(11/22) Braun gets NW back to bowl. Great job & rebound
(11/16) Lost 3 straight but competitive in most. Improving
(10/19) Have now won 4 straight, 3 in B1G play. Improving
(10/19) Def shut out Purdue, Run Off great, Run Def good
(10/19) QB Stone has been JAG- though, must game control
(9/14) Good fight w/ Ducks but Off has zero expl
(9/9) Top RB Cam Porter out for the season, ouch
(8/30) Stone 4 Int vs Tulane, Run Off & Run Def awful
(7/23) QB is Stone (SMU), no depth, Lausch retired
(5/21) Can WR Wilde (FCS SDSU) bring hope?
(5/21) DL is light, but has exp and some pass rush
(5/21) CBs exp'd but avg, Safeties are good though
Northwestern Injury Report
Western Illinois on Offense
CategoryCat
WIU OffNW Def
Perf GradePerfNR #86
SuccessSucNR #117
ExplosiveExpNR #12
PPAPPANR #73
PowerPwrNR #60
SP+SP+NR #39
Pts POPPONR #43
HavocHavNR #82
Western Illinois Run Game
CategoryCat
WIU OffNW Def
Run GameRunNR #91
Run SuccessRSucNR #121
Run ExplRExpNR #86
PPAExpNR #109
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #113
Stuff RateStuffNR #118
TackleTak -  #99
Western Illinois Pass Game
CategoryCat
WIU OffNW Def
Pass GamePassNR #88
Pass SuccessPSucNR #100
Pass ExplPExlNR #7
PPAExpNR #62
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNR #55
F7 HavocF7NR #94
DB HavocDBNR #64
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffWIU Def
Perf GradePerf #35NR
SuccessSuc #59NR
ExplosiveExp #109NR
PPAPPA #83NR
PowerPwr #73NR
SP+SP+ #97NR
Pts POPPO #114NR
HavocHav #95NR
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffWIU Def
Run GameRun #46NR
Run SuccessRSuc #48NR
Run ExplRExp #91NR
PPAExp #57NR
Run BlockR Blk #20 -
OL YdsOLY #65NR
Stuff RateStuff #49NR
TackleTak - NR
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffWIU Def
Pass GamePass #82NR
Pass SuccessPSuc #68NR
Pass ExplPExl #96NR
PPAExp #88NR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #7NR
F7 HavocF7 #34NR
DB HavocDB #131NR
Program Comparison
NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Average G5
'25 Profile: Up to Top G5

WIU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in L&S Martin Stadium (Temp)
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 2
Northwestern -30.5 (48.5)
Northwestern won vs Western Illinois this year (42-7)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WIU's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Cason Carswell18730761%20541636.7
Chris Irvin5912149%659535.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Markell Holman22799974.432
Brinston Williams2613715.321
Tanner Zolnosky65008.324
Christian Anaya74806.913
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Demari Davis37695518.860
Christian Anaya44458410.447
Tristin Duncan40458011.542
Markell Holman3931428.127

View Western Illinois's Full Roster

WIU's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Christian Pierce161000
Buju Aumua-Tuisavura160000
Malini Ti'a160000
Esteban Guillory150001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
David Dunston31100
Jalen Nicolas11100
Peyton Bradford51100
Payne Miller52100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chikala Warden50001
Esteban Guillory150001
Jaylen Olokun40001

NW's OC Zach Lujan (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Preston Stone (Tr)22237060%240017126.5
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Dashun Reeder22222110.179
Robby Preckel4214903.514
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde (Tr)71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Hunter Welcing28296210.636
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Mac Uihlein894000
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard2610850
Michael Kilbane428481
Anto Saka134320
Carmine Bastone244341
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Fred Davis II (Tr)221006
Ore Adeyi201005