The Northwestern football program is experiencing a shift as its home field is in the midst of an upgrade. Thus, for the 2024 season, the Wildcats are homeless and have had to get creative for their seven home games. For five games, Northwestern will play host at their lakeside practice facility, Larry & Sharon Martin Stadium. For the matchup against Wisconsin, the Wildcats were reported to host at Lambeau Field in Green Bay Wisconsin. Since the initial report, the game will not be played at the home of the Green Bay Packers.
Those final two home games, however, will be at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.
Northwestern Announces Two Games at Wrigley Field
Ohio State Comes to Play Ball
Electing to host quite possibly the largest visiting fanbase on the schedule in a 41,649-seat baseball stadium is a choice. Of course, Northwestern likely could not have chosen an earlier date due to the overlap with the Cubs’ season. Hosting football games is not foreign to Wrigley. The Chicago Bears called Wrigley home for half of a century. Plus, Northwestern has played at Wrigley three times since 2010.
Needless to say, Ohio State fans will travel to this one. The Buckeyes often show up for away games regardless of venue and have often taken over the 47,000-seat Ryan Field. In a year Ohio State is expected to contend for not only the Big 10 but for the College Football Playoff, the November air will be electric.
The Buckeyes own a commanding 65-14-1 record against the Wildcats all-time. The most recent matchup between the two was the infamous 21-7 win where there were over 30-mile-per-hour wind gusts and C.J. Stroud managed just 76 yards and no touchdowns. The rushing attack better be ready just in case the weather is the same.
The Land of Lincoln Trophy Game
The annual rivalry game between the Big 10’s Illinois-based programs gets to face off at Wrigley again. Back in 2010, Northwestern hosted the Illini at Wrigley. That game didn’t go well for the Wildcats as Illinois made off with a 48-27 win. Historically, this has been a close rivalry. Illinois currently owns a narrow lead, 57-55-5. In 2009, the two programs started the Land of Lincoln Trophy rivalry and Northwestern leads that series, 10-5.
Brett Bielema‘s squad, while not expected to compete for the conference, has made strides to improve on last year’s 5-7 performance. They’ve taken in four Power 4 transfers to this point, including star defensive back from Texas, Terrance Brooks. On the other side of the ball, the Illini offense is going to look quite different with four transfers expected to start.
Luke Altmyer had a decent year last year and is set to improve despite losing top target, Isaiah Williams. Last year’s matchup between the two was a 45-43 Northwestern win that featured 37 fourth-quarter points.
