The Northwestern Wildcats once again find themselves as one of the Big Ten's biggest wild card programs entering the season, which begins on Sept. 5 against South Dakota State.

Games against Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, Curt Cignetti and the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers, and Matt Campbell's Penn State Nittany Lions to open the Wildcats' new Ryan Field will make Northwestern must-see TV in the opening weeks of the 2026 season. 

One person justifiably feeling the excitement is Wildcats head coach David Braun, who spoke at length on Saturday about the upcoming season.

Braun used two words right off the bat to describe his mood and mindset as Northwestern prepares for what could be a program redefining season in Evanston. 

Braun didn't waste any time expressing the nitty gritty of how he's feeling with the season less than a month away and a handful of practices in the rear-view mirror. 

"I'm really excited to be back at it with this group, back with our players, back with our staff, having an opportunity to execute on three practices now, I could not be more confident and excited about the direction this football program is going," Braun said according to Northwestern Football's official X account.  

Braun brought in former Las Vegas Raiders and Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to lead a talented group of players on offense including transfer QB Aidan Chiles, running back Caleb Komolafe and wide receiver Griffin Wilde.

The defense is led by ballhawking safety Robert Fitzgerald and a hard-nosed strength-in-numbers approach that will make life difficult on opposing offenses. 

With so much to be excited for, Braun also pumped the brakes as he revealed the number one area of focus for his team heading into the season. 

As excitement for the season and the new Ryan Field opener vs. Penn State on Oct. 2 approach, Braun is sharing a message of focus and precision with players, fans, and coaching staff. 

"I think the biggest thing for us right now, myself, the coaching staff, the program as a whole...Last time I had an opportunity to talk about our program, a lot of conversations about the big picture, and there is so much to be excited about in terms of what's in front of this football team in 2026. 

"But the critical thing for this team right now is to narrow our focus, we have to take it one meeting at a time, one practice at a time, and that's really been the challenge to our football team.

Small wins compounded daily will lead to big wins on college football Saturdays, a message Braun continues to preach. 

"Our mission right now is to win today, and that can't be a cliche," Braun added. 

The Wildcats have veteran leaders at key positions ranging from Kelly leading the offensive coaching staff to Chiles leading the quarterbacks to Wilde leading the receivers room. 

Northwestern has historically made great strides as a football team whenever veteran leaders are present and this team has them in spades.

Braun has all the makings of a potential star in the coaching ranks, and now it's up to the Wildcats coach and his players to make good on their immense promise. 

The excitement in Braun's voice was palpable and his faith in the Wildcats sounds 100% genuine. 

The next few weeks will go a long way toward Braun and his staff shaping and molding Northwestern into what they will become, and there's no time to waste with a challenging schedule on the horizon and a whole new stadium full of screaming fans waiting for something new to get excited about.