The Wildcats are officially locked into a bowl game. Where are experts projecting them to end up?
With Northwestern's sixth win of the season finally secured, it is officially no longer taboo to discuss where the Wildcats could play their bowl game next month.
Entering the battle for the Hat on Saturday with a 6-5 record, there are still many places the 'Cats could end up in the postseason. Eleven Big Ten teams have already clinched the right to play beyond this weekend, and the winner of Penn State and Rutgers will give the conference a 12th bid to compete in December.
Bowl season has been very successful for the Wildcats of late. The program is 7-10 all-time, but Northwestern has won six of its last seven, as well as five consecutive bowl games. During David Braun's first year at the helm, the Wildcats defeated Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl, 14-7.
Here are the most likely landing spots for the 'Cats as they look to put a bow on the 2025 season:
The Consensus: Rate Bowl
December 26 at 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Chase Field | Phoenix, Arizona
Projected Opponents
- Kansas State (5-6, 4-4 Big 12): Scott Dochterman (The Athletic), Pete Fiutak (College Football News)
- TCU (7-4, 4-4 Big 12): Brett McMurphy (On3), CBS Sports
- Cincinnati (7-4, 5-3 Big 12): Kyle Bonagura (ESPN)
- Iowa State (7-4, 4-4 Big 12): Steven Lassan (Athlon Sports)
Conference Affiliations: Big Ten, Big 12
2024 Result: Kansas State 44, Rutgers 41
'Cats History: 0 Appearances
Staying in the Midwest: GameAbove Sports Bowl
December 26 at 1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Ford Field | Detroit, Michigan
Projected Opponents
- Ohio (7-4, 5-2 MAC): Bryan Fischer (Sports Illustrated)
- Western Michigan (8-4, 7-1 MAC): Erick Smith (USA Today)
Conference Affiliations: Big Ten, MAC
2024 Result: Toledo 48, Pittsburgh 46 (6OT)
'Cats History: 0 Appearances, although Northwestern did play in the 2003 Motor City Bowl, which was also at Ford Field in Detroit.
The Longshot: Music City Bowl
December 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Nissan Stadium | Nashville, Tennessee
Projected Opponents
- LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC): Mark Schlabath (ESPN)
Conference Affiliations: Big Ten, SEC
2024 Result: Missouri 27, Iowa 24
'Cats History: Northwestern defeated Kentucky, 24-23, in the 2017 Music City Bowl. Running back Justin Jackson was the game's MVP.