Penn State Football: Way Too Early Big Ten Football Power Rankings

Way Too early B1G Football power rankings: Where does Penn State Football stand?

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: James Franklin, head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, celebrates with the Big Ten Championship trophy after Penn State beat the Wisconsin Badgers 38-31 at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers talks with head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Northwestern Wildcats. . 13. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. . 882

2021 Record: 3-9 (1-8)

2021 was the worst season Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald has had in his tenure at his alma mater. Northwestern featured one of the worst offenses in the Power 5 conferences. In twelve games, the Wildcats could only muster 199 points. The defense was not much better and surrendered almost 30 points a game. Just a terrible season all around.

History suggests that Northwestern won’t be as bad this season.

Only once since Pat Fitzgerald took over in 2006 has he had back-to-back losing seasons. The roster suggests otherwise.

Just like most teams that struggle, Northwestern has to find a quarterback. Northwestern also has to revamp a defense that was last in the Big Ten in rush defense.

Fitzgerald has proven to be a good coach that can take undertalented teams and make bowl games. In 2022 this seems almost impossible.

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