Bleav in Northwestern

To celebrate Thanksgiving, Zach shares why he’s thankful for Northwestern returning to a bowl game after a thrilling victory over Minnesota. He lauds Preston Stone’s best game as a Wildcat, while highlighting some other standout performances on offense. Then, Mike Cagley of the Illini Guys joins the show to preview the rivalry game against Illinois. The pair breaks down the Illini’s season thus far, while discussing the state of competing in the Big Ten and makes their predictions for the game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Northwestern has another chance to become bowl eligible at Wrigley Field Saturday against Minnesota. Zach breaks down the Golden Gophers, from their stellar edge rushers to their lackluster offensive firepower. Then, he gives three keys to the game for the Wildcats and, of course, makes his final score prediction. Can Northwestern break the Wrigley Field curse? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The fallout of Northwestern’s disappointing loss to Michigan at Wrigley Field continues to hover above the program going into this week’s matchup against Minnesota, so its time to have the conversation: does David Braun’s rhetoric of competing for a Big Ten championship align with his coaching decisions on the sideline? Noah Coffman joins Zach on the show to debate the head coach’s decision-making and more about the program’s standing within the conference. Then, they pivot to discuss Northwestern field hockey getting back to a fifth straight Final four, where No. 1 North Carolina awaits. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Northwestern nearly stole a win against Michigan thanks to five turnovers and some timely scores late, but the Wrigley Field curse continues. Zach breaks down the loss and why it felt so aggravating, from the horrible production in the red zone to an inability to capitalize off of the Wolverines’ mistakes. Plus, he gives his thoughts on why this game exemplifies how Northwestern can continue to compete with the Big Ten’s top teams and his reaction to David Braun’s fiery press conference. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Northwestern is set to play some Friday night lights football at the L.A. Coliseum against USC and Zach is joined by Sports Illustrated writer and editor Nick Selbe to preview the matchup. The two discuss how they feel about this being a conference game before diving into the Trojans, who nearly had their season completely derailed with a scare at Nebraska. They dive deep on the performance of quarterback Jayden Maiava this season and whether or not he’s capable of being the next program great, while also highlighting the star-studded cast of skill players around him. Finally, they emphasize the biggest weakness of USC’s defense before making picks and predictions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Though there’s still plenty of action left on the gridiron, Zach turns his focus to the hardwood of Welsh-Ryan Arena with Northwestern men’s basketball set to get underway. He begins by giving an overview of the Wildcats going into what may seem like a transition year, yet is anything but (2:10). Then, Sports Illustrated college basketball reporter Kevin Sweeney joins the show to break down what we’ve seen from the program’s two exhibitions as well as some of the key additions for Chris Collins, like Jayden Reid, Arrinten Page and Tre Singleton (16:34). Finally, the pair discusses Northwestern’s place on the bubble and in the pecking order of the Big Ten. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s mailbag week! You’ve got questions, the Bleav in Northwestern podcast has answers. To help go through the questions, Zach is joined by Wildcat Report’s Matt Shelton and the pair covers a number of topics in football and men’s basketball. Was Nebraska the most disappointing loss of David Braun’s tenure? Is Preston Stone not what we all thought he was? Will Northwestern still make a bowl game? What will Chris Collins’s lineup be on opening night? Who’s the x-factor for basketball this season? Zach and Matt cover all of these questions and more on this week’s episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Northwestern improved to a shocking 5–2 by dominating Purdue in the final game at the lakeside stadium this past weekend, setting up a showdown with Nebraska in Lincoln. Zach begins by lauding the defense for its effort in the shutout of the Boilermakers, particularly pointing to the defensive line’s dominance (1:44). He then explains why this was Preston Stone’s worst game since Oregon, but why the offense has been able to maintain some momentum during this four-game win streak. Next, he touches on the end of an era for Northwestern’s temporary stadium (21:11) before breaking down what he’s seen from a vulnerable Nebraska team. Finally, he makes his predictions and pick for this Saturday’s showdown. X: @ZachKoons Instagram: zach_koons Email: zach.koons@si.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anything is possible! Northwestern went on the road and downed a reeling Penn State team with a complete team performance on Saturday for one of the program’s most shocking wins of the past decade. Zach breaks down the game, lauding Preston Stone for his best game as a Wildcat and Zach Lujan for his masterful game plan (1:15). He then emphasizes NU’s resiliency and how David Braun rallied his guys after an up-and-down start to the season (9:48). Finally, he goes over the defense’s complete team effort and the one area of improvement for the ‘Cats (17:38) before contextualizing what this win means for the program and for the future of Braun and the coaching staff (25:43). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Northwestern dominated its homecoming opponent, Louisiana-Monroe, last weekend and Zach was boots on the ground to witness another stride forward the Wildcats. Andrew Bowen and Henry Ettinger, former WNUR Sports broadcasters who were at the game alongside Zach, join the show to discuss their thoughts on the penultimate game at the lakeside stadium (2:15) before emphasizing what they liked about the offense’s showing and the playcalling on Saturday (6:28). They debate whether or not they should be concerned about the defense after the Warhawks’ opening drive and second-half comeback attempt from UCLA, before diving in on Penn State (17:51). The trio breaks down what’s happening with the Nittany Lions and makes picks for Northwestern’s trip to Happy Valley (23:15). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Northwestern escaped a second-half scare against UCLA to nab its second win of the season and first against an FBS opponent. Zach breaks down what he liked about the Wildcats, starting with the offense’s ball control and Caleb Komolafe’s career day (1:30). He then pivots to discuss what allowed the Bruins to climb back into the game, laying the blame on the coaches for their confounding approach to putting the game away (16:57). He then defends the defense from criticism, takes a look at Anto Saka’s production and makes a score prediction for Northwestern’s homecoming game against Louisiana Monroe (28:52). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Coming out of the bye week, Northwestern is back at home against UCLA—a program navigating significant upheaval and off to an even worse start than the Wildcats. USA Today reporter and Bleav in UCLA Football podcast host James H. Williams joins Zach on the show to break down the Bruins, beginning with the recent firing of head coach Deshaun Foster and why the program has struggled to adjust to the start of a new era in the Big Ten (2:35). The two then discuss UCLA’s on-field product in 2025, starting with the underwhelming play of highly touted transfer QB Nico Iamaleava, the lack of support around him and an inconsistent defense (22:54). Zach then helps provide context for Northwestern’s 1–2 start, focusing on the mistake-ridden football of Preston Stone and the lack of early production for a well-regarded defensive line (44:49). Finally, the pair makes their predictions for the final score (1:02:30). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The first quarter of the 2025 season is in the books and Northwestern finds itself at 1–2 going into the bye with two major losses against College Football Playoff hopefuls Tulane and Oregon. Wildcat Report’s Matt Shelton joins Zach on the show to discuss whether it’s time to panic about the Wildcats and what fans can reasonably expect over the final nine games. The pair focuses in on the biggest issues, from wide receiver depth to Preston Stone’s costly mistakes, and determines whether or not Northwestern has met expectations, while dissecting just how hard it is to assess the season given the lopsided nature of all three games. Finally, they evaluate Zach Lujan’s performance to start his second campaign as OC and point to some of the positives that could help rally the program in the coming weeks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Northwestern flipped the script from an unsavory opener to dominate Western Illinois back at home in Evanston in Week 2. But unfortunately, the Wildcats lost Cam Porter for the season with an injury in the win and Adam Beck of WNUR Sports joins Zach to discuss the impact of the news (2:23). Then, they turn to the good news, discussing what they liked about Preston Stone’s rebound from the Tulane debacle and how there are still positives to be taken, even in a game against an FCS team (11:24). Finally, the pair looks ahead to the difficult task at hand against Oregon, breaking down what the Ducks have done this season with Dante Moore behind center and what about the CFP contender worries them most (24:09). Plus, they make picks and predictions for Saturday’s game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Northwestern got off to a horrid start to the 2025 football season on Saturday, losing 23–3 on the road to Tulane. Zach breaks down what went wrong, beginning with Preston Stone’s five-turnover day in his first start as a Wildcat (2:10). He also goes over the expected struggles from the pass-catchers and the unexpected ones of the defense (16:33). Finally, he addresses the uniform drama that emerged postgame and discusses whether Northwestern fans should expect more of the same in the coming months (27:20). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Let’s play some football. Northwestern goes on the road to face Tulane in the 2025 season opener and Zach is joined by Green Wave sideline reporter Maddy Hudak to talk about the Week 1 matchup. The pair begins by taking a look back at Tulane’s 2024 season before breaking down the Green Wave’s ongoing quarterback competition (2:08). Then, they discuss how Tulane reloaded in the transfer portal in other areas on offense while also adding eye-popping depth along the defensive line (11:54). Finally, Zach and Maddy name their keys to the game for each team and make their final score predictions (25:15). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

College football has arrived! Northwestern is set to play Tulane to kick off the 2025 season, so it’s time to make some predictions. Gavin Dorsey, lead writer for Northwestern Wildcats on SI, joins Zach on the show to make a number of projections about the upcoming year, beginning with how much pressure head coach David Braun and offensive coordinator Zach Lujan should feel coming into Week 1 (2:45). Then, they pivot to talking about the roster, naming their MVPs and x-factors on both offense and defense, while touching on what units might give the ‘Cats problems this season (25:38). Finally, the pair makes definitive predictions for Northwestern’s final record and delves into the pecking order of the Big Ten at large before picking conference champions (54:57). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Zach opens up the mailbag for a series of questions about Northwestern football’s outlook during the 2025 season, from the hope Preston Stone brings to the offense to the biggest pain point for the roster. He also projects which men’s basketball player will take the biggest leap and gives a rundown of how a trio of ex-Wildcats did in NBA Summer League. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Northwestern took center stage at Big Ten media days in Las Vegas on Wednesday and head coach David Braun named SMU transfer Preston Stone the starting quarterback, well ahead of Week 1. Wildcat Report’s Matt Shelton, who was on hand in Vegas, joins Zach on the show to give insight into how the decision came to be and why Braun felt compelled to announce this so early (4:15). The two also discuss other story lines from media days, including how Northwestern views it group of skill players (15:20), how Braun has settled into his front-facing role as head coach (18:09) and what the program shared about its approach to the start of revenue-sharing in college sports (22:20). Finally, Matt gives the latest on Northwestern’s stadium ventures, headlined by the construction of the new Ryan Field (37:35). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The summer may be just getting started but the Northwestern sports news cycle is still spinning. Zach begins by celebrating Brooks Barnhizer being the first Wildcat since 1999 to be selected in the NBA draft, talking about the achievement for both player and program and how Barnhizer might carve out a role with the defending NBA champs (2:59). He then talks about the sudden transfer addition of Gavin Frakes and how the move might shake up the quarterback room (15:35). Finally, he analyzes the recent pickups for the women's lacrosse team as Kelly Amonte Hiller pulled off one of the most impressive transfer hauls in the sport's history (27:18). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.