Though Northwestern ended the 2011 season with a disappointing 31-17 loss to the Michigan State Spartans to finish 6-6, in many respects most fans would likely deem the season as at least a mild success. The Wildcats battled injuries, and after sitting at 2-5 after a loss to Penn State, they reeled off four wins in their final five games, including a road victory over Nebraska that is one of the best in the program's history.
Thanks to winning four of those final five, the Wildcats will be bowl eligible again this season, which is nothing to scoff at. Scout's 2011 bowl predictions currently have Northwestern in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against the Northern Illinois Huskies, a team that ended the season with six straight wins of their own to finish 9-3.
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