The Northwestern Wildcats are 6-1, 3-1 in the Big Ten heading into Saturday's 3:30 PM ET game against the Oregon Ducks in Eugene, Oregon, giving fans visions of a potential instant classic game between the two teams. 

Coach David Braun's Wildcats have never been to the College Football Playoff, but are putting themselves in position to contend for a spot after ranking No. 20 in this week's AP Top 25 Poll with two big-name programs left on the schedule. 

On Wednesday, Big Ten Network analyst and former Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Anthony Herron shared his thoughts on the Wildcats potentially contending for a Playoff spot in stark comments. 

Herron sounded upbeat about the Wildcats' chances to make a run at championship game and playoff appearances this season in a chat with Dave Revsine of the Big Ten Network. 

He believes the progress of the defense is a storyline to watch down the stretch. 

"There's every potential for Northwestern's defense to show...Continued progress," Herron said. 

"Now, they're part of bigger, better and bold conversations about what this program has the potential to me. Not only do you have a potential All-Big Ten quarterback if this continues, is Aidan Chiles a part of the Heisman conversation? This is where this team, if they do get better, if they ascend throughout the month of November, I really think that potential is there for huge goals." 

Coach Dan Lanning's Ducks haven't played up to their potential recently among an injury crisis at the wide receiver position and below-average play at quarterback and on defense, but are still 3.5-point favorites heading into Week 9's home game against Northwestern.

The Ducks have one of the best homefield advantages in college football, with their only loss of the season at Autzen Stadium coming by a score of 17-15 to the UCLA Bruins earlier this season. 

The Ducks' offense was expected to be historically good this season with Heisman candidate quarterback Dante Moore and offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, but Moore is out for the season after suffering a concussion against USC in Los Angeles and Mehringer was fired earlier this week after a loss to Illinois, replaced by Jay Johnson.

The Wildcats can beat the Ducks if they figure out how to play through the high decibel levels posed by the crowd in Eugene, and if their Tim McGarigle-led defense can slow down Oregon's remaining skill players. 

Braun's team's goals are ripe for the taking with five games left on the schedule, and plenty of hope for a better outcome this season.