ESPN senior college football writer Adam Rittenberg joins the show to dissect Northwestern’s 34–18 win over FCS powerhouse South Dakota State. He and Zach react to Aidan Chiles’s debut and the offense looking more explosive, even with an offensive line that still needs some work. They also discuss the defense’s typical bend-don’t-break performance and where the unit can improve. After a brief look ahead to the Colorado game in Week 3, the two whip around the Big Ten to discuss the results that they were most impressed with and surprised them the most.

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Ahead of Northwestern’s season opener against South Dakota State, Zach is joined by Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney to make a handful of predictions for the Wildcats season. The pair talks about their excitement for the new stadium, as well as the units on the team that they feel particularly excited to see out on the field. They also discuss potential pressure points and areas of weakness before making their predictions for Northwestern’s final record. Finally, they briefly discuss teams they like in the Big Ten and what their national championship predictions are.

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It’s time to take a closer look at Northwestern’s new quarterback and Zach welcomes on Michigan State beat writer Jacob Cotsonika to help him do so. The two break down Chiles’s best traits as a player, as well as some of his head-scratching decision-making. However, Jacob provides context for why Chiles struggled at times in East Lansing and how the young quarterback handled himself throughout a difficult 2025. Plus, how Pat Fitzgerald is endearing himself to Michigan State fans and Zach’s thoughts on the $35 million gift from the Uihlein family.

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Wildcat Report’s Matt Shelton joins Zach to dive deep into Northwestern football’s showing at 2026 Big Ten Media Days. The pair discusses David Braun’s confidence and refreshing honesty going into Year 4, as well as the surging optimism surrounding Chip Kelly’s arrival in Evanston. They also address the Pat Fitzgerald–sized elephant in Chicago, in addition to early chatter around the revamped defensive line. Finally, the duo gives their thoughts on the first glimpses at a mostly completed Ryan Field.

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The nine-time national champion head coach of the Northwestern lacrosse team joins Zach to talk about how the 2026 Wildcats turned their season around after a slow start, what having the Final Four in Evanston meant to her and the program, her best Madison Taylor stories and what her next goal is for growing the sport.

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Kelly Amonte Hiller is a champion once again! Northwestern’s legendary women’s lacrosse coach won a historic ninth title over the weekend in a revenge game against North Carolina. Zach is joined by Yanyan Li to break down how the Wildcats pulled this off after a horrible start to the season, the officiating controversy coming out of the game and what the victory means for the legacies of Hiller and Madison Taylor. Plus, more on the incredible scene in Evanston and the state of the sport in 2026.

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Northwestern lacrosse survived a thrilling rematch against Colorado in the NCAA quarterfinals to advance to the Final Four, which will be played in Evanston. Zach breaks down the win and highlights the program’s resiliency under Kelly Amonte Hiller. Then, he comments on softball narrowly missing out on the NCAA tournament and why he feels realignment played a part in the outcome. Finally, Zach discusses Northwestern’s new president, as well as the son of Ohio State coach Ryan Day committing to play for the Wildcats.

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The Wildcats have added five players in the transfer portal and Zach is joined by Sports Illustrated college basketball writer Kevin Sweeney to break down the new faces. Plus, the two evaluate the state of the program and what the turnover means going forward, as well as how Northwestern stacks up from a resource-standpoint in the college sports arms race. They also discuss what the new age-based eligibility proposals could mean for the sport and much more.

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Pat Fitzgerald spoke with USA Today for a rollercoaster of an article, and Zach weighs in on what the former Northwestern coach said. And speaking of rollercoasters, Kelly Amonte Hiller’s lacrosse team is on fire. With two wins over two No. 1-ranked teams in a matter of two weeks, Zach is joined by Big Ten+ broadcaster Noah Coffman to go inside the Wildcats’ turnaround—and why this year could be boom or bust for this program. Finally, Zach and Noah check in on other spring sports as well as women’s basketball with the transfer portal heating up.

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After a brief hiatus for the show, Zach is back to talk about the mass exodus into the transfer portal from Northwestern men’s basketball. He shares his conflicted feelings on the moves and whether or not they indicate something more concerning is at play. Plus, he reacts to Northwestern women’s hoops hiring Princeton’s Carla Berube as head coach and why he think its a home run.

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