Football: Northwestern named top academic program in CFP top-25, report says

Northwestern+players+celebrate+after+beating+Illinois+on+Nov.+28.+NU+was+named+the+top+academic+school+in+the+College+Football+Playoff+rankings+top-25%2C+according+to+a+New+America+report.

Daily file photo by Luke Vogelzang

Northwestern players celebrate after beating Illinois on Nov. 28. NU was named the top academic school in the College Football Playoff rankings top-25, according to a New America report.

Alex Putterman, Assistant Gameday Editor


Football


Northwestern is the top academic program in the College Football Playoff rankings top-25, according to an annual report by New America published on Time.com.

New America, a Washington think tank, compiles its rankings based on a team’s graduation success rate, a measure of graduation that doesn’t punish schools for players who transfer or leave early for the NFL.

With a 97 percent GSR, NU ranked ahead of Notre Dame, Stanford and Clemson.

The Wildcats had 39 academic all-Big Ten players this season.

The No. 13 Wildcats will take on the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

Correction: A previous version of this article mischaracterized the New America report. Northwestern’s football team is the top academic program in the College Football Playoff rankings top-25. The Daily regrets the error.

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Twitter: @AlexPutterman