CFB odds: One game can indeed change everything. The Northwestern Wildcats entered the 2013 college football season having come off five consecutive bowl bids and had not suffered a losing regular season since 2006. They were 4-0 and ranked #16 in the nation when Ohio State came to town to play a Saturday night national TV game that the Wildcats lost 40-30 in front of an overflow crowd. The season imploded after that as Northwestern finished 5-7 and out of the bowl picture. But with nine starters back on offense and eight starters back on defense hopes are high that ninth year coach Pat Fitzgerald can get things back on track. Northwestern opened as a +3002 field choice to win the BCS national championship with an over under win total of 7.5 +105 over and -135 under.
Close Calls
At first glance the 5-7 season is quite an eyesore but a deeper look reveals that Northwestern could have easily had a winning season and possibly could have contended for a shot at the Big Ten title. They were upset 20-17 by Minnesota as 13 point home favorites as the sting of the Ohio State loss was still being felt. After a tough 17-10 loss at Iowa the Wildcats lost at Nebraska 27-24 on a last second Hail Mary pass followed by a 27-19 triple overtime home loss to Michigan in which the Wolverines nailed a controversial field goal at the end of regulation. The excruciating losses did demonstrate that the Wildcats could play with the best teams in the conference.
Handicapper’s Notebook
Northwestern was just 3-9 against the spread last year which followed a mark of 11-1-1 against the spread in the season before. The Cats have made a profit in just two out of their last ten seasons. Northwestern has been at their best on the road with a mark of 12-6 against the spread.
Our Prognosis
The betting value of the Wildcats has taken gamblers on quite a roller coaster ride and fans of Northwestern have suffered through painful heartbreakers that would test the resolve of the most loyal supporters. We think things will even out some this year and that Northwestern will have a winning record, bowl bid, and a potential big upset or two.
