Northwestern Wildcats Team Profile
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Northwestern Wildcats (@NUFBFamily)
David Braun (3rd year) (12-13)
Vegas Win Total: 3.5 - 8.5  |  Prediction: 3.7 - 8.3 (#124)  |  SOS: (#20)
Power (#74)  | Off (#108)  | Def (#36)  |  Roster  |  Portals  |  Croots
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Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Northwestern at Tulane+7.00.0
Sat 9/6 Northwestern vs Western Illinois-21.5
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon+26.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA+2.5
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe-15.5
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State+33.5
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-13
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska+16.5
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

Record Prediction: 3.7 - 8.3 #124
Schedule Rating: #20
Future 2026 Schedule
Northwestern's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Northwestern vs Miami (OH)-4.043.0W 13 - 6UY
Fri 9/6 Northwestern vs Duke-2.537.5L 20 - 26ON
Sat 9/14 Northwestern vs Eastern Illinois-26.538.5W 31 - 7UN
Sat 9/21 Northwestern at Washington+11.542.5L 5 - 24UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/5 Northwestern vs Indiana+12.540.5L 24 - 41ON
Fri 10/11 Northwestern at Maryland+11.045.0W 37 - 10OY
Sat 10/19 Northwestern vs Wisconsin+9.542.5L 3 - 23UN
Sat 10/26 Northwestern at Iowa+16.538.5L 14 - 40ON
Sat 11/2 Northwestern at Purdue+3.044.5W 26 - 20OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/16 Northwestern vs Ohio State+28.043.5L 7 - 31UY
Sat 11/23 Northwestern at Michigan+10.535.5L 6 - 50ON
Sat 11/30 Northwestern vs Illinois+8.542.5L 28 - 38ON

2024 Schedule Rating: #47
2024 Record: 4 - 8 (B1G: 2 - 7)
Spread Record 4 - 8 - 0 | O/U 7 - 5

Opponents: 3 Elite, 4 Good, 2 Avg, 0 Bad, 3 Poor
Reg Season Opponents: 2 Elite, 2 Good, 4 Avg, 2 Bad, 2 Poor

Show Past Schedules
2025 class: 188 points  #65
2024 class: 166 points  #79
2023 class: 200 points  #47
2022 class: 192 points  #48
2021 class: 184 points  #50

Average Class Ranking:  #58
Average Recruiting Points: 186
Four Year Crootin Profile
Consistent Below Avg P4
4 Year Class: #63 - Best: #47 Worst: #79


CFB Crootin Averages
Big Ten Class: 227 #34
Power 4 Class: 225 #34
FBS Class: 179 #69

2020 class: 191 points  #47
2019 class: 188 points  #52
2018 class: 180 points  #58
2017 class: 182 points  #50
2016 class: 175 points  #52

Average Class Ranking:  #52
Average Recruiting Points: 183
 

2025 Portal Class #71 - 12 players, 85 Avg
2024 Portal Class #130 - 6 players, 85 Avg
2023 Portal Class #74 - 4 players, 87 Avg
2022 Portal Class #94 - 5 players, 82 Avg
Transfer Portal Classes
Portal Data only 2022 forward

2021 Portal Class # - players, 0 Avg
2020 Portal Class # - players, 0 Avg
2019 Portal Class # - players, 0 Avg
2018 Portal Class # - players, 0 Avg
Offensive Coordinator 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
(Tr) - new transfer in 2025

Defensive Coordinator 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
Returning Production
Overall Returning Production: 58% #55
Offense Returning Production: 54% #76
Defense Returning Production: 62% #33
Transfer Portal
2025 Portal Class #71
12 Commits, 85.1 Avg Rating
13% of 2025 Roster from Portal, 15% TY
Team Talent
2025 Talent Rating: 826.00 #40
Offense Talent #37 | Defense Talent #45
2024 #50 | 2023 #54 | 2022 #46 | 2021 #44
2025 - 2022 Records
2025 Record: 0 - 0
2025 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 0 - 0 - 0 | Totals: 0 - 0

2024 Record: 4 - 8
2024 Conf Record: 2 - 7
Spread: 4 - 8 - 0 | Totals: 7 - 5

2023 Record: 8 - 5
2023 Conf Record: 5 - 4
Spread: 9 - 4 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 7

2022 Record: 1 - 11
2022 Conf Record: 1 - 8
Spread: 5 - 7 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 7

Four Year Record: 13 - 24
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 18 - 19 - 0
Four Year Conference Record: 8 - 19
2021 - 2018 Records
2021 Record: 3 - 9
2021 Conf Record: 1 - 8
Spread: 3 - 9 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 6

2020 Record: 7 - 2
2020 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Spread: 8 - 1 - 0 | Totals: 2 - 7

2019 Record: 3 - 9
2019 Conf Record: 1 - 8
Spread: 3 - 9 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 7

2018 Record: 9 - 5
2018 Conf Record: 8 - 2
Spread: 7 - 5 - 2 | Totals: 7 - 7

Eight Year Record: 35 - 49
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 39 - 43 - 2
Eight Year Conference Record: 25 - 39

Northwestern Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2023Vegas Bowl Northwestern vs Utah+6.544.5W 14 - 7
2020Citrus Bowl Northwestern vs Auburn-3.543.5W 35 - 19
2018N/A Northwestern vs Utah+7.043.0W 31 - 20
2017N/A Northwestern vs Kentucky-7.550.5W 24 - 23
2016Pinstripe Bowl Northwestern vs Pittsburgh+3.063.0W 31 - 24
2015Outback Bowl Northwestern vs Tennessee+9.0L 6 - 45
Power Ranking Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2024.02 (129)37% (123)3.02 (127)28 (92)33%50%.15 (57)45% (106)3.74 (64)33.6 (131)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2023.1 (113)38% (110)4.11 (48)29.7 (57)40%21%.14 (33)43% (83)3.65 (56)30.5 (99)



More Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20241229:49 (85)16 (126)33%50%4.8 (14)38.8 (12)1.5 (70)1.34.8 (101)1.9 (65)3
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20231328:34 (84)16.8 (105)40%21%5.3 (45)42.6 (29)0.7 (6)1.84.2 (114)1.9 (65)0



Overall Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2024 Offense1217.8017.637.1% (123)3.02 (127)1.516285991863.445% (106)54% (31)39% (113)36% (116)19% (118).02 (129)
2024 Defense1226.3028.845% (106)3.74 (64)1.3 - - - - - 47% (26)53% (110)44% (80)46% (117)15% (77).15 (57)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2023 Offense1322.127.819.838.3% (110)4.11 (48)0.7173041022022.949% (79)51% (51)39% (109)38% (102)16% (67).1 (113)
2023 Defense1322.52426.443.1% (83)3.65 (56)1.8 - - - - - 54% (115)45% (20)43% (73)44% (94)14% (115).14 (33)



Run Game Stats (2024)
 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
2024 Offense1245% (106)39% (113)29.398.63.412 (114).07 (102)2.63 (124)66% (112)11% (98)1.1 (20)
2024 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
2023 Offense1349% (79)39% (109)35.2101.92.913 (108).05 (120)2.63 (129)70% (97)11% (88)0.83 (128)
2023 Defense1354% (115)43% (73) - - - - .09 (36)3.12 (73)69% (43)9% (105)0.92 (31)



Pass Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2024 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)
2024 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
2023 Offense1351% (51)38% (102)18.529.92026.810.920 (70)8 (30).18 (100)1.6 (62)35% (116)29% (84).36 (59)5% (23)2.2 (25)
2023 Defense1345% (20)44% (94) - - - - - - 13 (26).22 (39)1.4 (9)29% (123)32% (102).31 (68)5% (101)1.8 (9)




Power Ratings Overall: 2.03 #60
Offense: 11.09 #87
Defense: 9.06 #32
SP+ Overall: -6.1 #87
SP+ Offense: 17.7 #129
SP+ Defense: 23.8 #39
5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'25 Profile: Remains Average G5
Returning Prod HC Braun, OC Lujan & QB all back
'24 QB Jack Lausch returns
Returning Production: 58% #55
Offense: 54% #76 | Defense: 62% #33
OL Prod: 57% #64, 2 clear starters
OL Snaps: 2361 #91 | From Portal: 697 #58
Rush Prod: 95% #15 | Rec Prod: 52% #61
Def Front Seven: 63% - Secondary: 60%
Roster Team Talent #40 Blue Chips: 3% #62
Offense Talent #37 Defense Talent #45
Crootin: '25 Class #65 - 4 YR Class: #63
Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
Portal Class #71 - 12 players, 85 Avg
13% of Roster from Portal, 15% TY
35 New Players, 36% of '25 Roster #54

2025 Schedule Record Prediction: 3.7 - 8.3 #124
Vegas Win Total Record: 3.5 - 8.5
Schedule Rating: 94 #20
View Schedule & Predicted Results
Opps: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg: 2, Bad: 0, Poor: 3
Scoring Scoring: 17.8 - 26.3 (22 - 23) in '24
Scoring at Home: 0 - 0 | Road: 18 - 29
OC: Zach Lujan - in his second season
DC: Tim McGarigle - in his second season
Records 2024 Record: 4 - 8 (4 - 8 - 0) (B1G: 2 - 7)
2023 Record: 8 - 5 (9 - 4 - 0) (B1G: 5 - 4)
2022 Record: 1 - 11 (5 - 7 - 0) (B1G: 1 - 8)
4 Yr Record: (13 - 24) | 8 Yr Record: (35 - 49)
 
'24 OffensePass 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%
Bad Offensive Turnovers
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Awful 1st/2nd Down Success 65%
Bad when off Schedule 31%
'24 DefenseGood 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
Bad at Forcing Turnovers
Great Penalty Team, Good Field Position
Awful 1st/2nd Down Success 73%
Awful when Opp is off Schedule 35%
Team NotesCan WR Wilde (FCS SDSU) bring hope?
DL is light, but has exp and some pass rush
CBs exp'd but avg, Safeties are good though
WR complete rebuild. Depth looks meh, huge ?
OL 3/5 back, awful LY. 3 portals, OT Tiernan great
RB Porter back, some depth. Run game awful LY
Def good LY, returns a lot. 3 portal adds
HC Braun dropped from 8 to 4 wins in year 2
QB likely Stone (SMU), Lausch started LY