While the Bears struggled through a winless Pac-12 campaign with a laughingstock defense, BQ Jared Goff was a bright spot while breaking school single-season records in such categories as passing yards (3,508), completions (320) and attempts (531).

The Golden Bears have five players named to preseason award watch lists highlight by Goff (Maxwell and Davey O'Brien), wide receiver Chris Harper (Biletnikoff), running back Daniel Lasco (Doak Walker), punter Cole Leininger (Ray Guy) and running back Khalfani Muhammad (Paul Hornung). Notice no defensive players are mentioned. Four skilled position players and a punter lead the way. Last the defense gave up 45.9 points per game. Overhauled, they are a work in progress. Really the total is not that high in this day and age.

Trevor Siemian and Treyvon Green led a damn good Northwestern offense. Taking over for Cain Colter after an injury, Siemian lined up under center and performed well, throwing for 2,149 yards and 11 touchdowns on just under 60 percent completions including 414 yards and four touchdowns on 31-of-44 passing in a 37-34 win over Illinois in the season finale. Honestly, at least 70 points seems likely.