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College football 2019: Biggest trap game facing every Top 25 team

By Cody Williams

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 24: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers gets away from R.J. Roderick #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 24: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers gets away from R.J. Roderick #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – SEPTEMBER 08: Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Paddy Fisher (42) looks on between plays in the 3rd quarter during a college football game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Northwestern Wildcats on September 08, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. Duke won 21-7. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL – SEPTEMBER 08: Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Paddy Fisher (42) looks on between plays in the 3rd quarter during a college football game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Northwestern Wildcats on September 08, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. Duke won 21-7. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

24. Northwestern Wildcats

Biggest Trap Game: at Indiana (Nov. 2)

Despite a relatively pedestrian 9-5 overall record last season, Pat Fitzgerald’s Northwestern Wildcats were still the champions in the Big Ten West, posting an 8-1 record in the conference on the year. Under the head coach’s watch, this program has consistently been a factor in Big Ten play and has long been a threat to topple anyone put before them.

Fitzgerald’s and, subsequently, Northwestern’s identity has long been about hard-nosed and defensive-minded football. Led by linebacker Paddy Fisher, the Wildcats should once again be bolstered by their defensive prowess. However, where they could get a huge boost is on the offensive side of the ball with Hunter Johnson taking over at quarterback.

Clayton Thorson, now in the NFL, was a record-setter for the Wildcats throughout his college career but he and the offense were still limited with him at the helm. Johnson, meanwhile, is a former 5-star recruit that transferred from Clemson and sat out the 2018 season. With him, this team could make some real noise.

While that may be true, Northwestern faces a brutal early schedule in 2019, facing Stanford, Wisconsin and Nebraska on the road and seeing Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa at home all before the end of October.

Because of that, their first game after that run is certainly their biggest trap game as they go on the road against Indiana. The Hoosiers are not a powerhouse by any stretch but they have caused waves in the Big Ten before and, with the Wildcats coming off that tough stretch, they could well be worn down entering this matchup.