Northwestern has become one of the better stories in the 2026 college football season. Entering Week 7, the Wildcats sit at 4-1 and are ranked No. 25 in the AP Top 25, marking their first time inside the top 25 since 2021. They opened with wins over South Dakota State (34-18) and Colorado (41-7) before narrowly losing 29-23 on the road to the defending champion Indiana Hoosiers.
They bounced back with a convincing 34-13 win over Penn State and followed it up by blowing out Ball State 45-14. The Wildcats have combined a physical run game behind Caleb Komolafe and Joseph Himon II, a lethal one-two punch at the running back position, with efficient quarterback play from transfer Aidan Chiles. Their next challenge comes Saturday when they travel to Michigan State, Chiles' former team.
Another win there, and people could start looking at them as a legitimate playoff threat. Head coach David Braun isn't shying away from the moment. "What these first few weeks have shown is that we’re not crazy to dream big," Braun said ahead of the Spartans game.
More news: UCLA HC Bob Chesney Drops Powerful Quote After Bruins’ Hot Start More news: Kentucky HC Will Stein Fires Back at Doubters After LSU Upset Braun became Northwestern's full-time head coach in November 2023, after initially taking over as interim coach that July. He first joined the program as defensive coordinator and was thrust into the head coaching role after Pat Fitzgerald was fired. Braun immediately helped stabilize the program during a dark period, guiding the Wildcats to an 8-5 record in his first season.
Before Northwestern, Braun spent four seasons as defensive coordinator at North Dakota State, helping the Bison win two FCS national championships. He was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2023, validating Northwestern's decision to promote him. And now, three years later, he has the Wildcats on the verge of their best season in years.
College Football Playoff might still be a stretch for a team like Northwestern, but their remaining schedule gives them a real opportunity to build a strong case. After Michigan State, they'll face Rutgers, Oregon, Iowa, Ohio State, Minnesota, and Illinois. They still need more quality wins, but if they somehow walk away from that stretch unscathed, a playoff spot could be on the table.
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