Big Power Rankings Week 8: Purdue causes big shakeup
882. . 3-3 (1-2) . . Wildcats . 10. team
Northwestern earned its first Big Ten win on Saturday with a 21-7 victory over Rutgers.
Quarterback Ryan Hilinski had a solid game going 18-33 for 267 yards and two touchdowns, but the story of this game was the defense. Rutgers managed just 222 yards of total offense and the one touchdown. Linebacker Bryce Gallagher had 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack to lead the Wildcats defense.
With how inconsistent the West has been this year, this was a big win for Northwestern and its bowl chances in 2021. A tough test awaits the Wildcats this weekend as they will face Michigan in Ann Arbor. It won’t be easy, but with some momentum now in hand, it’s hard to count out a Pat Fitzgerald team.
