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Big Ten Football Coach Rankings

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A Big Ten logo on the field before the Big Ten Conference football championship game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A Big Ten logo on the field before the Big Ten Conference football championship game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan State Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Northwestern is not usually the team you think of when it comes to success and football.  But, with the leadership of Pat Fitzgerald, they have been the last decade.

Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini /

Illinois Fighting Illini

Fitzgerald helped lead the Wildcats to a great record last year. They finished the season 10-3 and fell just short in the Outback Bowl.

The major problem with Northwestern has been their quarterback play.  They haven’t been able to get a solid starting quarterback under center since Fitzgerald took over.

This is one of the flaws with Fitzgerald.  He hasn’t been able to recruit well.  Over the last three recruiting classes, Northwestern has an average of finishing 51st in the nation in recruiting.

Recruiting hurts Fitzgerald when it comes to the rankings but he has still managed to win, that is why he is ranked so high.

This upcoming season will be interesting to see what they will have at quarterback.  This will be the main question.

Northwestern is already set at running back with Justin Jackson.  He has been one of the best in the Big Ten for a few years now and will go down as probably the best in Wildcats history.

Fitzgerald has a solid team and if he keeps winning he may continue to move up on this list.  But, for now, the No. 5 spot seems about right.

Next: No. 4

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