On Saturday, the Northwestern Wildcats will face the Ohio State Buckeyes in their second Big Ten championship game in three years. Although massive underdogs in the first meeting between the two teams in 2018, the Wildcats were competitive through most of the game before losing 45-24. With a win against the Buckeyes on Saturday and another win in a New Years' bowl game, Northwestern football can finally change their reputation of not being a powerhouse football team.

A Tall Task Awaits The Wildcats On Saturday

Northwestern will enter Saturday's Big Ten Championship game as a 21 point underdog to Ohio State, despite playing more games this season and having a better overall record. The Buckeyes have quarterback Justin Fields who is projected to be one of the first quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Furthermore, in the Buckeyes' five wins this season, they have beaten their opponents by an average of 23 points.

Northwestern, on the other hand, has relied on their defense, which is the second-best scoring defense in all of college football. One defensive highlight for the Wildcats is that they have held their opponents to 200 passing yards or less this season. The one drawback to Northwestern's 2020 season has been their inability to dominate teams as they have only won one of their games by 10 points or more.

Big Wins in Front of National Audiences Matter

With a win over Northwestern, Ohio State could secure the fourth and final spot in the college football playoff. The Wildcats, depending on Saturday's outcome, could either play in Citrus Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl. With the Big Ten Championship being one of the marquee games on Saturday and both Bowls being prominent, the nation will get to see Northwestern up close in their next two games. A win or even a close loss against Ohio State would generate a massive amount of buzz for not just Chicago college football fans but college football fans across the country. If Northwestern plays in the Citrus Bowl, they would most likely face Auburn in a game that would lead into the two college football playoffs games in the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl. A win over an SEC team would significantly boost future recruiting classes and help Northwestern gain respect amongst college football's best conference.

If the Wildcats beat the Buckeyes, they would head to Arizona to possibly take on USC in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, January 2nd. A prominent bowl game that features Northwestern and USC would instantly spark memories of when the two teams met in the 1996 Rose Bowl. The leadup for the game would be massive as the Trojans' resurgence would captivate interest for west coast college football fans. A win over a powerhouse in USC following an upset victory over Ohio State would make many reconsider how Northwestern's football program is viewed.

The Next Two Game Would Solidify Pat Fitzgerald's Coaching Pedigree

Pat Fitzgerald has been irreplaceable as the Wildcats head coach since he took over in 2006. During his fifteen seasons as Northwestern's head coach, Fitzgerald has led the Wildcats to 10 bowl games, winning their last three Bowl appearances. He has made his team a perennial bowl contender along with a Top-25 program. Fitzgerald's Wildcats have missed out on the one big bowl victory that would earn him the national recognition of one of college football's best coaches. A win over the best team in the Big Ten followed by a win over an established football program from a top-five conference would help Fitzgerald's resume from an NFL standpoint. Since 2018, he has generated interest from several NFL teams, including the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. With a possibility of the Bears having a head coaching opening following the 2020 season, Back to back nationally-televised wins would make many in Chicago clamor for Fitzgerald as the next head coach for the Bears.

It all depends on what happens in Northwestern's next two games. If they get blown out against Ohio State and then in whichever bowl game they play in, the nation's perception of Northwestern football will be reinforced. Wins would make a significant difference and have a massive impact on the university for years, including their long-tenured head coach.