There are several strong candidates that could land in the final spot of the preseason AP Top 25 in 2019. Here’s guessing that the committee rewards Big Ten West champion Northwestern, especially because of the various things going in favor of the Wildcats’ bid to repeat.
After beating Utah in the Holiday Bowl by double digits, Pat Fitzgerald’s team lost longtime quarterback Clayton Thorson. Northwestern could be better as a result, as the door opens for former five-star Clemson recruit Hunter Johnson to take over the Wildcats offense. With no spring game at Northwestern, it is hard to assess where he stands in a crowded quarterback battle. But he has the opportunity to supercharge what was at times an anemic offense last year.
The defense, on the other hand, will be another well-disciplined unit under 12th-year coordinator Mike Hankwitz. Linebacker Paddy Johnson and defensive end Joe Gaziano are back to lead an experienced group that held six of their nine 2018 Big Ten opponents under 20 points.
Opening with a California sojourn to face Stanford in the South Bay offers a key test out of the gate. If the Wildcats win, they will vault up the AP Top 25. UNLV and Michigan State come to Ryan Field ahead of big road tests at Wisconsin and Nebraska that will likely decide the division race before we get deep into October.