Spread 'em

Wildcats once again in must-win position

By Chris Duprey

Daily Sports Editor

First to worst, and back to first.

It's not too difficult to make the first leg of that journey. Riding the coaster back up the hill is much more of a challenge.

Through two coaches and five seasons, through doubt and crisis, Northwestern has made the journey.

In 1995, then-Wildcats coach Gary Barnett seated his team in a secluded auditorium on campus to watch Michigan play Ohio State. Northwestern had finished conference play a week earlier at 8-0. Because the Wildcats did not meet Ohio State that year due to the infamous scheduling quirk, they needed a Michigan victory to ensure their outright Big Ten championship.

Tim Biakabutuka and his 313 yards gave the Wolverines a 31-23 triumph that day, and the camera turned to Barnett in Evanston. A grand speech surely awaited.

"Let me ask my players," he said to the ABC television reporter. "Boys, do you want to go to Pasadena?" Barnett asked, the 'dena' in Pasadena drowned out by the rousing cheers of 100 men.

Barnett had one more good year in Evanston, but then the program began to disintegrate. His novelty had worn off. It became clear that he would either have to redouble his efforts at Northwestern, or start over completely.

After much speculation where Barnett misled the press, university administration and the fans about his job intentions, he packed and left for Colorado before the 1999 season, the program in shambles.

From first to worst.

In came Randy Walker from Miami (Ohio). He faced the unfortunate embarrassment of losing to his old school in his very first game, 28-3. A 3-8 season was unfolding slowly, painfully.

Walker's team played just one opponent's Homecoming in 1999, the fortunate result of an October schedule that included three home games.

The Wildcats owned a permanent Saturday noon slot on ESPN-Plus, the network that televises the games no one else wants. Wayne Larrivee, Jim Barbar and that operation broadcasted four of Northwestern's games that season. ABC was nowhere to be found.

Then 2000 came, and the much-hailed spread offense was implemented. Futility turned into Walker saying "it never crossed my mind that we wouldn't win" after the Wildcats beat Wisconsin on Sept. 23.

Now as the season moves into its final three games, Northwestern owns a 4-1 conference record. A piece of the Big Ten championship is guaranteed if the Wildcats win their last three.

Worst to first.

In comes Michigan to town tomorrow, the first and most high-profile roadblock in that journey - at Iowa and home against Illinois are Northwestern's last two. The Wolverines have their sights set on the same prize. They are 7.5-point favorites for tomorrow.

"What's always been a focal point of this program is the Big Ten championship. That's up to us," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "To say you're the Big Ten champion - that's a significant accomplishment anytime."

Michigan is playing for continued contention in the Big Ten. Northwestern is too, but a victory tomorrow will bring the Wildcats much closer to completing their circle.

First to worst to first.

But first things first. They must win.

MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily

The Wolverines may be in for a shootout this Saturday when they take on a high-scoring Northwestern team averaging 36.5 points per game.