Forgive me if this has been mentioned, but can someone give me the scoop on parking at Northwestern?

I know people will recommend the L train, but I plan on driving from Ft.Wayne to Evanston and back the same night. Yes I might be a little crazy, but it's only 3-3.5 hours and well I'm kind of a cheapskate ha. 

Tickets for the game have been dropping in price and I plan on going for as cheaply as possible. I'm not getting a hotel and really want to get there and back as seamlessly as possible. Also, I loathe driving deep into Chicago. 

I have heard parking is tough, but surely there is SOME parking right? I read on the NW site that most lots require permits but only from 8-4. I should arrive in Evanston around 4:30-5:30 cst, so I am hoping to find a parking and just loiter around campus for a bit. 

Has anyone had relatively easy success parking actually in Evanston?

And side note this is my first Buckeye game since the 09 Navy game. I'm going solo, but am very much looking forward to cheering on OSU with what I project to be 15-20,000 of my Buckeye friends!