Article about NIU and NU accomplishments and the Pro's and Con's of wanting to get to the "next level".

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130...701039967/

Quote:The difference here is that most indications are that Northwestern and Northern Illinois reached there the principled way.

NU and NIU have clean slates when it comes to NCAA crime blotters, succeeding without having to first or presumably later go on probation for rules violations.

All sorts of players from all sorts of teams were suspended for their behavior during this bowl season, but none of them were Wildcats or Huskies.

Northwestern and Northern Illinois also rank high nationally for their players' grade-point averages and graduation rates.

Quote:The question now is how much further these two football programs can go without being sucked into the cesspool.