Western Illinois at Northwestern - 2025 Matchup Preview
Western Illinois logo Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Northwestern WildcatsNorthwestern logo
Saturday, September 6th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
L&S Martin Stadium (Temp) - Evanston, IL

 
Leathernecks (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 9 - 66 (9 - 66 on Road)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
WIU 2nd straight Road Game
Our Line: -2   (SP+ NW -6)
WIU Win prob: 55% | Cover: 50%
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 18 - 26 (18 - 26 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.8 - 8.2 (#123)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 4)
 
Western Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Western Illinois at Illinois+16.5
Sat 9/6 Western Illinois vs Northwestern+0.5

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+6.547.5
Sat 9/6 Northwestern vs Western Illinois-21.5
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon+26
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA-0.5
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe-15
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State+33.5
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-13
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska+16
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Northwestern at USC+15.5
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan+21
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota+9
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois+18.5

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 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%90%000%000%65.50%0%0000
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)17.839% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)26.344% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3
 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
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIU Offense2990%00000000%0%0%0%0%
NW Defense1226.326.345%3.741.3 - - - - - 47%53%44%46%15%.15
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIU Defense265.565.50%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
NW Offense1217.817.837.1%3.021.516285991863.445%54%39%36%19%.02

Additional Stats 2024
 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
Northwestern1229:491633%50%4.838.81.51.34.81.9328
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 Defense1247% (26)44% (80) - - - - .07 (42)2.99 (63)69% (47)8% (107)0.86 (15)
 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 Offense1245% (106)39% (113)29.398.63.412 (114).07 (102)2.63 (124)66% (112)11% (98)1.1 (20)

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 Defense1253% (110)46% (117) - - - - - - 10 (66).25 (77)1.4 (13)27% (128)35% (116).28 (55)7% (33)1.8 (24)
 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 Offense1254% (31)36% (116)17.632.7186.15.710.67 (130)11 (72).02 (132)1.3 (134)35% (119)31% (79).2 (109)8% (121)1.8 (119)

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: #
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #NR
Western Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: -
Western Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: #N/A
Western Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: #N/A
Western Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: #N/A

Average Talent
Average MVFC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 860.18
Average FBS Talent: 682.74

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Illinois:    Northwestern: -2.035

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Illinois:    Northwestern: -6.1




Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: -2.035 #58
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.09 #86
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 9.06 #31
2025 Talent Rating: 826.00 #37
Blue Chip Ratio: 3 #61
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 3.8 - 8.2
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7 #129
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.8 #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 886.56
Average Power Five Talent: 860.18
Average FBS Talent: 682.74


Western Illinois Scoring
Offense: 9 PPG
Offense on Road: 9
Defense: 65.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 65.5

Western Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Northwestern 42
Western Illinois 18

Projected Total Points: 60
Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 17.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 17.8
Defense: 26.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 26.3

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201409/20Northwestern24Western Illinois7NorthwesternNorthwestern -23Western Illinois0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northwestern100 Overs
Western Illinois010 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 11 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#NR) Western Illinois Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: #NR
Offense Rating: #NR
Defense Rating: #NR
Overall SP+ Rating: #N/A
Offense SP+ Rating: #N/A
Defense SP+ Rating: #N/A
Talent Rating: #
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #NR
Expected Record: -

Team Profile






,
,







Western Illinois     Ratings Matchup     Northwestern
Power #NR
#58
Off #NR
#86
Def #NR
#31
Talent #
#37
SP+ #N/A
#87
SP+ Off #N/A
#129
SP+ Def #N/A
#39

Weather Forecast
Playing in L&S Martin Stadium (Temp)
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: WIU | NW
Depth Chart: WIU | NW
Rosters: WIU | NW
(#58) Northwestern Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -2.035 #58
Offense Rating: 11.09 #86
Defense Rating: 9.06 #31
Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7 #129
Defense SP+ Rating: 23.8 #39
Talent Rating: 826.00 #37
Blue Chip Ratio: 3 #61
Expected Record: 3.8 - 8.2

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 37%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.02 PPO
Awful Run Success 39%
Awful Pass Success 36%
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 45%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.74 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 44%
Awful Pass Def Success 46%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position


Northwestern Notes
(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
(5/21) WR complete rebuild. Depth looks meh, huge ?
(5/21) OL 3/5 back, awful LY. 3 portals, OT Tiernan great
(4/4) RB Porter back, some depth. Run game awful LY
(4/4) Def good LY, returns a lot. 3 portal adds
(4/4) HC Braun dropped from 8 to 4 wins in year 2
(3/22) QB likely Stone (SMU), Lausch started LY


  
Western Illinois's OC
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Western Illinois's Full Roster
Western Illinois's DC
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

Northwestern's OC Zach Lujan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jack Lausch15929654%1714785.8
Preston Stone (Tr)305159%421518.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Porter12650164.044
Joseph Himon II5225724.951
Jack Lausch8721322.429
Caleb Komolafe5013902.817
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde (Tr)6410401016.360
Cam Porter2317407.628
Frank Covey IV109809.827
Joseph Himon II159616.422

View Northwestern's Full Roster
Northwestern's DC Tim McGarigle
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mac Uihlein844201
Yanni Karlaftis (Tr)572121
Robert Fitzgerald461100
Damon Walters424002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard337671
Anto Saka155440
Michael Kilbane203300
Mac Uihlein844201
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell391005
Fred Davis II (Tr)173004
Evan Smith282003