However, it actually projects the Wildcats to be better in 2016 than they were in 2015.
Bill Connelly of SB Nation and Football Outsiders recently released his initial S&P+ projections for the 2016 college football season. The mathematically calculated projections factor in past production (based on play-by-play data) of returning players, a program's recent history, and recruiting rankings from the years that will be relevant in 2016. Returning production is given the most weight, while recent history is given relatively little weight.
The initial projections for the 2016 season have Northwestern at No. 46 — up 10 spots from the Wildcats' 2015 finish at No.