BREAKING: Northwestern wins the Big Ten West

With its win over Iowa, Wisconsin’s loss to Penn State and Purdue’s loss to Minnesota, Northwestern has won the Big Ten West, and will play in the Big Ten Championship December 1 in Indianapolis.

The Wildcats, at 6-4 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten, hold a two game lead over both Purdue and Wisconsin and hold head-to-head tiebreakers over both. This is the first time Northwestern has appeared in the Big Ten Championship since the conference created divisions in 2011.

For Pat Fitzgerald, in his 13th season as Northwestern’s head coach, this season represents a significant accomplishment. Fitzgerald has long called a division title his team’s primary goal, and now he finally has one at his alma mater.

Northwestern will play either Michigan or Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship. At it currently stands, Michigan leads Ohio State by one game in the loss column, and the two teams play each in the final game of the regular season.