2022 Northwestern Wildcats Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

2022 NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS BETTING ODDS, PREDICTIONS, PREVIEW

The Wildcats stumbled to a 3-9 record in 2021, and Northwestern wrapped up the season with three consecutive losses by at least 18 points. It also lost the final six games after a 3-3 start, falling by a combined by 22.8 PPG.

Northwestern will have QB Ryan Hilinski, formerly of the University of South Carolina, battling it out with redshirt freshman Brendan Sullivan. Hilinski completed just 54.0% of his passes for 978 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions, and he is not a dual threat in his first season in Evanston. It likely won't be difficult for Sullivan to supplant him. Either way, the quarterback play must be much, much better.

Whomever ends up with the starting QB job will have WR Malik Washington (44-578-2) back as an experienced pass catcher. But the Wildcats need someone else to step up. RB Evan Hull ran for 1,009 yards and seven scores, but also had 33 grabs, 264 yards and two touchdowns out of the backfield. Northwestern would like to rely less upon the running back catching balls out of the backfield and use more of a vertical game, but someone has to emerge as a downfield playmaker.

The defense was horrible in 2021, allowing 6.15 yards per play, most since 2011. LB Bryce Gallagher is a tremendous tackler, and he will be a bright spot to build around. The team did build through the transfer portal, like so many other teams looking for a quick fix, but it remains to be seen if the additions will be plug-and-play options to turn things around in a hurry as needed.

In the back end of the D, safety Brandon Joseph moved on to Notre Dame. He had just two interceptions, but that would have been the leading returnee for the Wildcats. Northwestern had six interceptions in 2021, and no one who recorded a pick is returning in 2022. That's not good.

The opening game is in Ireland against Nebraska, and could really go either way, and the non-conference schedule isn't particularly difficult. This team could easily be 2-2 or 3-1 through the first four games, but could also easily be 1-3 depending upon how quickly the defense gets started. If they start out 1-3, it's going to be a long season. This team should be able to win all three non-conference games and scratch out at least one win inside the conference, although the best bet might be the Illinois game at season's end, and even that's no cinch as the Illini are trending upward. Take the OVER in wins, but bet it lightly.

Best Bet: Northwestern Over 3.5 Wins (-120)

Updated on 12/24/2024

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2022 NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS SCHEDULE

• Sat., Aug. 27 - vs. Nebraska*
• Sat., Sept. 10 - vs. Duke
• Sat., Sept. 17 - vs. Southern Illinois
• Sat., Sept. 24 - vs. Miami-Ohio
• Sat., Oct. 1 - at Penn State
• Sat., Oct. 8 - vs. Wisconsin
• Sat., Oct. 22 - at Maryland
• Sat., Oct. 29 - at Iowa
• Sat., Nov. 5 - vs. Ohio State
• Sat., Nov. 12 - at Minnesota
• Sat., Nov. 19 - at Purdue
• Sat., Nov. 26 - vs. Illinois

WIN TOTAL ODDS

• Over 3.5 (-120)
• Under 3.5 (+100)

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS ODDS TO WIN BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP

+10000

Northwestern surprised in 2020 by appearing in this game, and also made an appearance in 2018. However, the Wildcats have never won the Big Ten title game, and they're not going to sniff a spot in Indianapolis this season. This is not a good team, and it would exceed expectations exponentially by simply attaining bowl eligibility in 2022. This isn't going to be a championship caliber side.

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS ODDS TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

+30000

Can you imagine Northwestern winning the national title in football? In computer science or robotics, maybe. Pigs will fly, snow fill fall in Phoenix in August and Americans will calmly and politely discuss politics without fighting before the Wildcats make the CFP and win it all. So yeah, not happening.

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS 2022 HEISMAN CONTENDERS & ODDS

The Northwestern Wildcats do not have any Heisman contenders to begin the 2022 season.

2021 NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS BETTING RESULTS

• SU: 3-9
• ATS: 7-5
• O/U: 6-6
• ATS-Home: 3-4
• ATS-Road: 0-5
• ATS-Favorite: 1-3
• ATS-Underdog: 2-6

MORE CONFERENCE ODDS

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish