Expectations are back in Evanston – well, at least they should be.

Only two things can stand in the way of Northwestern returning to a bowl game – an injury to star running back Tyrell Sutton or the coaching staff getting in the way … again.

So, as former NU coach Gary Barnett would say, expect victory.

Of NU’s 12 games next year, only two aren’t winnable – at Ohio State and home against Michigan. But that doesn’t mean the Wildcats will go 10-2.

Here’s a game-by-game breakdown of how the season will pan out:

vs. Northeastern: Yes, the Cats lost to I-AA New Hampshire last year, but that squad was actually good, unlike Northeastern. On a side note, all those people who ask if Northwestern is in Boston will be thoroughly confused when two Boston schools play in Evanston. 1-0.

vs. Nevada: In a rematch of last year’s debacle in the desert, NU should get revenge. Nevada was mediocre last year, and the Cats should be better this time around. This year NU won’t be enchanted by the bright lights of Reno, as this is one of seven home games for the Cats. 2-0.

vs. Duke: Since the Cats don’t have a bye, NU coach Pat Fitzgerald should rest his players this week and line up NU’s women’s lacrosse team – after all, they’ve had a lot of success against the Blue Devils. 3-0.

at Ohio State: First real team, first real loss. The only chance the Cats have to win at the Horseshoe is if Justin Zwick comes back. Too bad that can’t happen. 3-1, 0-1 Big Ten.

vs. Michigan: Someone in the Big Ten doesn’t like NU, as the conference figured out a sure way to ruin any momentum the Cats gain in non-conference play – schedule the Buckeyes and Wolverines as the Cats’ first two Big Ten foes. 3-2, 0-2.

at Michigan State: Despite the Spartans’ historic comeback against the Cats last year, Michigan State was bad. With a new coach the team is still bad, but this time NU should pull away and stay away. 4-2, 1-2.

vs. Minnesota: Another bad Big Ten team. Too bad for the conference that it got its own network just in time to see mediocre football. Give the edge to the Cats because they’re at home. 5-2, 2-2.

vs. Eastern Michigan: This game is a bye week disguised as a football game. But for many NU players it will be the only time they see an NFL stadium, so that’s reason enough to show up. 6-2, 2-2.

at Purdue: Since in this projection the Cats are already assured of a .500 record, I’ll go conservative here and say this is a loss. 6-3, 2-3.

vs. Iowa: Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz should have jumped to the NFL when he had the chance. Iowa is unusually down and can’t seem to find a way to beat NU. The trend will continue. 7-3, 3-3.

vs. Indiana: The Hoosiers now have to go through the same terrible situation the Cats faced last year, as their coach Terry Hoeppner died. Football won’t be the first thing on Indiana’s players’ minds. 8-3, 4-3.

at Illinois: The Zookster can’t keep losing with all the talent he’s bringing into Champaign. Illinois should be in the top half of the conference this season and will beat NU. 8-4, 4-4.

That last loss to Illinois will hurt, as it will drop NU from the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando against Florida State to the Insight Bowl in Tempe against Texas A&M. Nevertheless, NU fans can expect victory again.

Reach Abe Rakov at [email protected].