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 | 1280 | 1177 | 1362 | 1346 |
| 2024 | 1221 | 1184 | 1352 | 1348 |
| 2023 | 1231 | 1182 | 1354 | 1366 |
| 2022 | 1277 | 1133 | 1343 | 1356 |
| 2021 | 1273 | 1138 | 1408 | 1318 |
| 2020 | 1287 | 1136 | 1508 | 1342 |
| 2019 | 1285 | 1128 | 1524 | 1279 |
| 2018 | 1270 | 1249 | 1514 | 1248 |
| 2017 | 1326 | 1224 | 1507 | 1307 |
| 2016 | 1338 | 1224 | 1434 | 1306 |
| 2015 | 1384 | 1178 | 1392 | 1352 |
| 2014 | 1336 | 1264 | 1330 | 1258 |
| 2013 | 1408 | 1305 | 1332 | 1229 |
| 2012 | 1400 | 1316 | 1329 | 1225 |
| 2011 | 1295 | 1408 | 1284 | 1194 |
| 2010 | 1264 | 1372 | 1277 | 1246 |
| 2009 | 1230 | 1310 | 1338 | 1232 |
| 2008 | 1330 | 1283 | 1320 | 1240 |
| 2007 | 1378 | 1328 | 1241 | 1170 |
| 2006 | 1454 | 1269 | 1216 | 1232 |
| 2005 | 1486 | 1320 | 1186 | 1202 |
| 2004 | 1452 | 1244 | 1284 | 1218 |
| 2003 | 1384 | 1248 | 1196 | 1196 |
| 2002 | 1360 | 1288 | 1150 | 1225 |
| 2001 | 1382 | 1300 | 1236 | 1240 |
| 2000 | 1359 | 1286 | 1300 | 1285 |