2017 schedule
Northwestern
Big Ten
Final rank
#2
Record
9-3
Points
31
Diff
+118
Scored
356
Allowed
238
Outcome
Promoted
Game log
Real CFBD regular-season results. Points earned per game follow the opponent's 2017 starting tier: 5 for Tier 1, 4 for Tier 2, 3 for Tier 3, 2 for Tier 4, 1 for Tier 5, 0 for FBS losses or FCS wins, and −3 for any loss to an FCS opponent.
| Week | Opponent | Site | Score | Result | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Nevada(Tier 2) | Home | 31 – 20 | W | +4 |
| 3 | Duke(Tier 4) | Away | 17 – 41 | L | 0 |
| 4 | Bowling Green(Tier 3) | Home | 49 – 7 | W | +3 |
| 6 | Wisconsin(Premier) | Away | 24 – 33 | L | 0 |
| 7 | Penn State(Tier 2) | Home | 7 – 31 | L | 0 |
| 8 | Maryland(Tier 3) | Away | 37 – 21 | W | +3 |
| 9 | Iowa(Premier) | Home | 17 – 10 | W | +5 |
| 10 | Michigan State(Tier 2) | Home | 39 – 31 | W | +4 |
| 11 | Nebraska(Premier) | Away | 31 – 24 | W | +5 |
| 12 | Purdue(Tier 4) | Home | 23 – 13 | W | +2 |
| 13 | Minnesota(Tier 3) | Home | 39 – 0 | W | +3 |
| 14 | Illinois(Tier 4) | Away | 42 – 7 | W | +2 |
