Some programs just don’t receive the respect they’re due, and the Northwestern and Utah football teams definitely fall under that umbrella. They don’t win with flash or style. They win with defense, solid but not high-scoring offenses and great coaching, and they do that on a consistent basis. This year’s Holiday Bowl matchup will feature all of these things once again when the two meet tomorrow night.
Starting off with the Wildcats, they put together a late bounce back season after 1-3 start to the year. Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who is one of the best in the business, kept his composed along with senior, four-year starting QB Clayton Thorson.