Through three games, the Northwestern Wildcats have announced themselves as a team worth watching in the Big Ten.
Head coach David Braun’s squad sits at 2-1, averaging 32.7 points per game, a dramatic jump from last season’s average of 23.4 points. The offensive transformation has been impossible to miss, and it starts with the system that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has installed in Evanston.
Kelly, who most recently served on a national championship-winning staff at Ohio State, has brought a dynamic and deceptive offensive identity to Northwestern. After a down year with the Las Vegas Raiders, his return to the college game has given him an opportunity to get back to what has made his offenses successful in the past.
Working alongside quarterback coach Jerry Neuheisel, Kelly has also incorporated unconventional alignments, including positioning a wide receiver 13 yards behind the line of scrimmage as a passing option, to keep opposing coordinators guessing.
The Wildcats executed a good game against No. 5 Indiana. Although Northwestern ultimately fell 29-23 on the road, the offense showed it could compete with one of the best teams in the country. After trailing 12-0 at halftime, Northwestern outscored the defending national champions 23-17 in the second half.
At the center of it all is Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles, who has been everything Northwestern hoped for when it brought him in.
Sep 25, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Aidan Chiles (0) looks to throw a pass against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Through three games, Chiles has completed 53 of 75 passes for 807 yards and six touchdowns without throwing an interception. He has added four rushing touchdowns, giving him 10 total scores to begin his Northwestern career.
Against Indiana, Chiles completed 22 of 29 passes for 293 yards and three total touchdowns, including two through the air and one on the ground. All three came in the second half after Northwestern entered halftime without a point.
Chiles also earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors following Northwestern’s blowout win over Colorado and has continued building on that momentum. Northwestern runs the ball roughly 66% of the time, leaning heavily on Caleb Komolafe alongside high-profile Florida State transfer Gavin Sawchuk.
When Northwestern does throw, wide receiver Griffin Wilde has been Chiles’ most consistent target, totaling 245 receiving yards and two touchdowns through three games. Tight end Luke Dehnicke has emerged as another reliable weapon, recording 208 receiving yards while putting together a breakout performance against Indiana with seven receptions for 140 yards.
Sep 25, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats tight end Luke Dehnicke (84) catches a pass against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Preston Zachman (6) during the second half at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images It is still early, and three games are not enough to determine what Northwestern will ultimately become this season. But there is already something different about this team. At 2-1, Northwestern has already shown it will not be an easy matchup in the Big Ten. Now comes another opportunity to prove it. With No. 13 Penn State coming to Evanston for Week 4, the first game at the new Ryan Field, Northwestern has an opportunity to make an even louder statement.
