[4] The week 2 matchup between Northern Illinois and Northwestern was a major defensive struggle, with both teams failing to score in the first half.

The best chance for Northwestern came when Miles Shuler dropped a would-be touchdown throw from Trevor Siemian midway through the second quarter.

Northern Illinois had a good scoring chance before halftime but Tyler Wedel missed a 22 yard field goal.

Northern Illinois would respond with Drew Hare finding Da'Ron Brown for an 18 yard touchdown to give the Huskies a 10–7 lead going into the 4th.

The Huskies would strike again when Hare found Brown again, this time from 59 yards to give NIU a 16–7 lead with 7 minutes left.

They got on the board quickly as freshman running back Solomon Vault ran it in from 1 yard out to give the 'Cats a 7–0 lead.

Western Illinois would respond just as quickly as Joey Borsellino caught a 4 yard touchdown pass from Trenton Norvell, tying the game at 7–7.

After Ifeadi Odenigbo sacked Norvell and recovered a fumble, Vault would score again in the second quarter, this time from 14 yards out and the Wildcats had a 14–7 lead going into halftime.

But the Northwestern defense would come up big yet again, with true freshman linebacker Anthony Walker intercepting Christian Hackenberg on the first play of the 4th quarter and returning it 45 yards for a Wildcat touchdown.

Northwestern would add another Siemian 1 yard touchdown run to put NU up 29–6 The Northwestern defense was unbelievable throughout the game, holding Penn State to just 60 yards rushing on 25 carries, while also registering 4 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a blocked field goal, leading to a shocking, dominating win over a team many people thought had an outside chance at the Big Ten Championship.

[7][8] Coming off their upset win at Penn State, the Wildcats returned home to face the 17th ranked Wisconsin Badgers.

Again the Wildcats were the better team coming out of the gate, as Jack Mitchell booted a 22 yard field-goal to give the Cats a 3–0 lead.

On the first drive of the second half, Joel Stave entered the game and The Badgers would finally get on the board thanks to a Melvin Gordon 3-yard touchdown run.

Wisconsin would score a late touchdown to cut the lead to 20–14, and the Badgers would get one last chance, but Joel Stave's pass would be intercepted by Igwebuike with 18 seconds left, sealing the win for the Wildcats.

Tanner McEvoy and Joel Stave combined to throw just 129 yards and 4 interceptions, including two in the end zone, and three total by redshirt freshman Godwin Igwebuike.

Northwestern had one last crack at the tie, but Siemian's hail mary pass was intercepted by Minnesota, securing the win for the Gophers.

Coming off a tough road loss at Minnesota the week before, Northwestern looked to rebound in a Saturday night game at Ryan Field against Nebraska.

After another short drive, Chris Gradone had his punt blocked and returned for a touchdown, giving the Hawkeyes a 24–0 lead with 3 minutes left in the first quarter.