Pat Fitzgerald
Northwestern running back Cam Porter (20) tries to get around Auburn linebacker Zakoby McClain, left, during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Ramsey leads No. 15 Northwestern past Auburn in Citrus Bowl

By John Denton Jan. 01, 2021 05:04 PM EST

Northwestern running back Cam Porter (20) tries to get around Auburn linebacker Zakoby McClain, left, during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn at Northwestern 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 03:01 PM EST

FILE - In this photo provided by Auburn Athletics, Bryan Harsin, Auburn's new college football coach, talks during a news conference in Auburn, Ala., in this Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, photo. It’s been a whirlwind three weeks for Auburn's football team, given longtime coach Gus Malzahn getting fired on Dec. 13, new coach Bryan Harsin being introduced 11 days later, several players opting out of the Citrus Bowl and the Tigers hurriedly trying to prepare for a showdown against a stout Northwestern defense. (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics via AP)
No. 15 Northwestern aims to rebound vs Auburn in Citrus Bowl

Dec. 31, 2020 01:04 PM EST

FILE - In this photo provided by Auburn Athletics, Bryan Harsin, Auburn's new college football coach, talks during a news conference in Auburn, Ala., in this Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, photo. It’s been a whirlwind three weeks for Auburn's football team, given longtime coach Gus Malzahn getting fired on Dec. 13, new coach Bryan Harsin being introduced 11 days later, several players opting out of the Citrus Bowl and the Tigers hurriedly trying to prepare for a showdown against a stout Northwestern defense. (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics via AP)
Auburn ignoring upheaval, hoping to beat No. 15 Northwestern

By John Denton Dec. 31, 2020 01:03 PM EST

FILE - Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald walks on the field during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., in this Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, file photo. Pat Fitzgerald figures he'll add a few more gray hairs by the time No. 15 Northwestern steps on the field to face No. 3 Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 19. Then again, if Northwestern wins? “Not gonna lie to you, it would be a helluva ride home on I-65,” Fitzgerald said. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
No. 15 Northwestern, Auburn set to meet in Citrus Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 06:31 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey (12) throws over Ohio State defensive tackle Taron Vincent (6) during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
No. 3 Ohio St. runs past No. 15 Wildcats for Big Ten crown

By Michael Marot Dec. 19, 2020 03:50 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey throws a pass against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
For Northwestern, Big Ten title game follows big turnaround

By Andrew Seligman Dec. 16, 2020 05:19 PM EST

Northwestern running back Jesse Brown (1) celebrates with teammates as he holds the Land of Lincoln Trophy after Northwestern defeated Illinois 28-10 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
No. 3 Buckeyes have something to prove in Big Ten title game

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 15, 2020 04:54 PM EST

Northwestern running back Jesse Brown (1) celebrates with teammates as he holds the Land of Lincoln Trophy after Northwestern defeated Illinois 28-10 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois at Northwestern 12/12/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 03:27 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey is tackled by Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Porter leads way as No. 15 Northwestern runs over Illinois

By Andrew Seligman Dec. 12, 2020 03:24 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2020, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck looks at his bench during an NCAA college football game with Michigan in Minneapolis. Minnesota is among 10 of the 14 Big Ten football teams sitting at two wins entering the final weekend of the regular season. The statistical anomaly begs the question of whether it's difficult for those teams to stay motivated in a season that brought unique challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
What's my motivation? Stakes low for 2-win Big Ten teams

By Eric Olson Dec. 10, 2020 04:58 PM EST

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald walks on the field during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 29-20. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Northwestern seeks win over Illini before Big Ten title game

By Andrew Seligman Dec. 10, 2020 01:59 PM EST

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi, top, throws a pass as guard Matt Carrick blocks against Northwestern during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan St holds off No. 11 Northwestern for a 29-20 win

By Larry Lage Nov. 28, 2020 07:43 PM EST

Michigan State's Jayden Reed (5), Jalen Nailor (8) and Tyler Hunt (97) celebrate Reed's touchdown reception against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Northwestern at Michigan State 11/28/2020

Nov. 28, 2020 05:37 PM EST

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald talks to players on the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Unbeaten Northwestern rolls into matchup with Michigan State

By Noah Trister Nov. 27, 2020 01:41 PM EST

Northwestern players celebrate after they defeated Wisconsin 17-7 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Ramsey, No. 19 Northwestern top No. 10 Wisconsin 17-7

By Jay Cohen Nov. 21, 2020 07:22 PM EST

Iowa defensive lineman Zach VanValkenburg (97) sacks Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Minneapolis. Iowa won 35-7. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Gophers going through growing pains, as Boilermakers up next

By Dave Campbell Nov. 19, 2020 06:16 PM EST

Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst cheers on his players from the sideline during the first quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Badgers, Wildcats meet with heavy Big Ten West ramifications

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 19, 2020 05:56 PM EST

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald talks to players on the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
This year's Big Ten title chase shows defense still matters

By Steve Megargee Nov. 19, 2020 12:22 PM EST

Purdue linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) celebrates a defensive stop with safety Jalen Graham (6) against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ramsey's 3 TD passes lead No. 23 Wildcats past Purdue 27-20

By Michael Marot Nov. 14, 2020 08:54 PM EST