***** Northwestern is now ranked #24 in the AP Poll, up one spot from last week. ***** The Coaches Poll has NU at 23rd, the first time the Coaches have ranked NU. ***** CollegeFootballNews.com ranks the 'Cats at 22nd, *down* six spots vs. last week. ***** CBS Sports has not yet released its weekly rankings. ***** As of Sunday morning, NU is a 15.5-point favorite at home Saturday vs. Rutgers. ***** For breaking news and updates, visit the HTP Twitter Feed *****




Updated
Oct. 18, 2026




The Crown Tower
Clock should be:
PURPLE









 
















AP Poll Ranks Northwestern #24;
'Cats Enter Coaches Poll at #23

For week eight of the football season, the Associated Press has ranked NU 24th, up one spot from NU's entry into the rankings last week at #25.

For the first time this year, the Coaches Poll has ranked NU, putting the 'Cats at 23rd. Last week, NU just missed being ranked in the Coaches.

The AP Poll History page is now updated.





It was Coach Fitz vs. his old team, and it was Aidan Chiles vs. his old team. In the end, Chiles was the one claiming the win, as NU escaped with a 24 to 21 victory in East Lansing. Chiles was one of NU's true bright spots during the day, as the 'Cats were hard pressed for much of the game. With a minute to go, NU found itself improbably tied, but looking at a possible game-winning MSU field goal attempt. One blocked kick and a wild Chiles drive later, it was Northwestern who booted the game winner with two seconds left.

For Fitzgerald, it was a gut punch that was delivered by his former team, which left him winless in the conference. For the 'Cats, it was a fifth win that virtually assures the team a decent bowl game-- at the least.


Wildcat Preview and Prediction
The Lowes Line: Michigan State

The Lowes Line staff try to handle the meeting with Fitz (and the truth)...


Jackson Kleather kicks the game winner vs. MSU.
[AP Photo]
Wildcat History
When the 'Cats Faced a Former Head Coach

This Saturday, NU Football will square off against a former Wildcat head coach. It won't be the first time...



Ryan Discusses New Stadium


Pat Ryan Jr., the man behind the vision of New Ryan Field, talked to alumni and fans at Deering Library last Thursday. Here is a brief summary of Ryan's remarks...


 
'CATS DOMINATE PSU

Northwestern opened its new stadium in grand style, with eye-popping festivities, a rabid student section, and a thrashing of Penn State that made a statement heard across the conference.

Wildcat History
NU's First Football Game

As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Northwestern's first football game, HailToPurple.com has posted a series of articles about that first game. These four posts are part of the site's expanded section featuring NU's first game.




Other pages updated this week (Oct. 18):

Uniform History Page




Archived

Updated 10/15/26

Archived




DAYS HOURS MINS SECS








Next for the Wildcats:


Rutgers
Ryan Field
Saturday, Oct. 24
11:00 am CDT
TV: Peacock



2026 Results
(5-1; 2-1 B1G)
W
S Dakota St-FCS, M
34-18
W Colorado - M 41-7
L
Indiana - FRI 23-29
W Penn State - FRI, R 34-13
W Ball State - H.C., R 45-14
W
Michigan State
24-21
H Rutgers - R Oct 24
A Oregon
Oct 31
H Iowa - R Nov 7
A Ohio State Nov 14
A Minnesota Nov 21
H Illinois - R Nov 28
- -
-
(M=NM Field. R=New Ryan Field)
 
2025 Results
(7-6; 4-5 B1G)
L Tulane 3-23
W Wstrn Ill - M 42-7
L
Oregon - M 14-34
W UCLA - M 17-14
W ULM - HC - M 42-7
W Penn State 22-21
W Purdue - M 19-0
L Nebraska 21-28
L USC 17-38
L Michigan - W 22-24
W Minnesota - W 38-35
L Illinois 13-20
W Cent. Mich. - Bowl 34-7
(M=NM Field. W=Wrigley Field)





Northwestern's 2026 season marks the 150th anniversary of NU's first football game. Now, you can read about NU's very first season and how it all began.

Gus Hornsby's Gamble tells the story of Augustus Hornsby, the maverick English army officer who formed the Chicago Foot-Ball Club and taught the game to Northwestern students. Hornsby's story, relayed here for the first time anywhere, is a wild ride: he was a pioneer journalist, an explorer, and eventually a fabulously wealthy real estate tycoon. But his gambling addiction led to financial ruin and a stunning string of crimes that made Hornsby a nationally-hunted fugitive.

My book provides a new glimpse into life at Northwestern at the school's infancy and describes its first football team in detail. It is a must for any fan of Northwestern and NU history. Click here to learn more about the book. You can order it directly from Amazon.







"...It will always be my school, our school."
--Gary Barnett, as quoted by Teddy Greenstein


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