Best Season: Northwestern

Among college football fans, we all like to have certain ideas as to whom we believe should and should not be winning. To us, USC or Alabama should always towards the top, and smaller schools should be reserved for the occasional good year. Northwestern is one such school. Football is something where the average fan probably doesn't suspect that Northwestern will be making moves to win a championship. This article will detail one such time where the average fan was dead wrong.

The best season in Northwestern football history was likely the 1995 season, in which the Wildcats finished with a 10-2 record and won the Big Ten championship. It was the first conference championship for Northwestern in 59 years, and the team earned a trip to the Rose Bowl, their first appearance in the prestigious bowl game since 1949.

The 1995 Northwestern team was led by head coach Gary Barnett. Quarterback Steve Schnur and running back Darnell Autry were two of the team's top players, and both earned All-Big Ten honors that season.

Northwestern's memorable run to the conference championship and Rose Bowl appearance included several key victories, including a 17-15 win over Notre Dame, a 19-13 win over Michigan, and a 23-8 win at Purdue in the regular season finale that clinched the Big Ten title.

Although Northwestern lost to USC in the Rose Bowl, the 1995 season remains a landmark year in the history of the Wildcats' football program, and is still celebrated by fans today.

The season started with a motto: "Expect victory". The first game was at #9 Notre Dame. The cats pulled out a 2 point thrilling victory, and the whole world was on notice. Northwestern entered the next game ranked at #25, and suffered their only loss of the regular season. Miami of Ohio came back from a 21 point 4th quarter deficit to win, with help from offensive coordinator Sean Payton. Yes, the same guy who won a Super Bowl with the Saints.

Northwestern would then beat Air Force and Indiana before starting conference play. They would pull off wins over Michigan, Wisconsin, and Penn State to move to 8-1. The Cats would beat Iowa at home and with a win at Purdue, they sealed the Big Ten championship. It's crazy to think that without that Miami of Ohio loss, Northwestern may have a national title. The Cats would lose to USC in the Rose Bowl, but the season was still one for the ages. Pat Fitzgerald, their current head coach, won player of the year and multiple defensive trophies.