Northwestern turns focus to Big Ten title as conference play starts

With each week the Northwestern Wildcats have won over more believers. As Big Ten conference play gears up this weekend, the Wildcats are focused on a conference title.

Northwestern takes on Minnesota Saturday in Evanston. Despite Northwestern’s impressive 4-0 start, the team is putting their early success behind them to focus on a new goal, a Big Ten championship.

After early tests against Stanford at home and Duke on the road, Minnesota shouldn’t be the most difficult opponent Northwestern has faced. However, they do present a new challenge for Pat Fitzgerald’s Wildcats.

For the first time this season against a Power 5 opponent, Northwestern will be the favorite. How Northwestern responds with the pressure to win may determine their season outlook.

The Wildcats haven’t won even a share of the Big Ten since 2000. They haven’t won the conference outright since 1995, as they would have to this year, when they went to the Rose Bowl.