Season-final Elo for all four rated units. These are the opponent-strength values every player performance against Northwestern is judged with.
| Season | Rush Offense | Pass Offense | Rush Defense | Pass Defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1282 | 1180 | 1364 | 1347 |
| 2024 | 1223 | 1187 | 1354 | 1350 |
| 2023 | 1233 | 1184 | 1356 | 1368 |
| 2022 | 1279 | 1136 | 1345 | 1358 |
| 2021 | 1275 | 1140 | 1410 | 1321 |
| 2020 | 1288 | 1138 | 1510 | 1344 |
| 2019 | 1286 | 1131 | 1526 | 1282 |
| 2018 | 1271 | 1251 | 1516 | 1250 |
| 2017 | 1328 | 1226 | 1509 | 1310 |
| 2016 | 1340 | 1227 | 1436 | 1309 |
| 2015 | 1386 | 1180 | 1394 | 1355 |
| 2014 | 1338 | 1267 | 1332 | 1261 |
| 2013 | 1410 | 1308 | 1334 | 1231 |
| 2012 | 1402 | 1318 | 1330 | 1228 |
| 2011 | 1298 | 1410 | 1286 | 1196 |
| 2010 | 1266 | 1374 | 1279 | 1248 |
| 2009 | 1232 | 1312 | 1342 | 1234 |
| 2008 | 1332 | 1285 | 1322 | 1242 |
| 2007 | 1380 | 1330 | 1243 | 1172 |
| 2006 | 1454 | 1270 | 1218 | 1234 |
| 2005 | 1487 | 1322 | 1187 | 1204 |
| 2004 | 1453 | 1246 | 1286 | 1220 |
| 2003 | 1384 | 1248 | 1196 | 1197 |
| 2002 | 1362 | 1288 | 1150 | 1226 |
| 2001 | 1382 | 1300 | 1236 | 1240 |
| 2000 | 1359 | 1286 | 1300 | 1285 |