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Last year Northwestern finished tied for ninth in the Big Ten, going 6-6 and was snubbed by all the bowl game
s, even the PapaJohns.com Bowl. The Wildcats also lost to Duke. Yeah, not the best year for Northwestern.However, 2008 is being met with optimism in Evanston (or wherever they pay attention to NW Football). Big Ten passing yards leader C.J. Bacher returns, star running back Tyrelle Sutton is back and has recovered from an injury-ridden 2007, and the top two receivers are back. Pair the returning fire-power with a new offensive coordinator and the Wildcat offense has the potential to be very dangerous.
The defensive side of the ball has been a struggle recently, with Northwestern ranking near the bottom of the league in, well, everything. Enter new defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz. Hankwitz has an impressive track record as a coordinator with stops at Colorado, Texas A&M, and Wisconsin, among others. The linebackers are the main concern, as the group has been an embarrassment for the past few seasons.
Even with the questions on defense, this could be the breakout year for third-year coach Pat Fitzgerald. Now you'll feel the urge to laugh soon, but Northwestern could start 9-0. Take a moment...here's why: Syracuse, Duke, Southern Illinois, and Ohio make up the non-conference schedule, then Iowa, MSU, Purdue, Indiana, and Minnesota start off the Big Ten docket. Those are nine very winnable games for a team with seniors in the skill positions on offense.
But seriously, Northwestern will be going to a bowl game this year. You can book that one.
2 comments:
No offense, but this may be the dumbest "preview" I have ever seen. "But seriously, Northwestern will be going to a bowl game this year. You can book that one."... Are you kidding me? You don't think that each and every one of those teams you listed as probable wins is licking their chops and saying "Well, at least we play Northwestern this year, we will at least have one win." Among the games you have listed and the Michigan game, NU should be able to pull off 4 or 5 wins. Michigan State, Indiana, and (it pains me to say this) Iowa may be too much for them. I call it a toss up with the rest of those lower tier teams like Syracuse and Michigan. Unless the ghost of Zach Kustok, Brian Musso, and Darnell Autrey come back to Evanston, it is gonna be another rough year.
You're ridiculous. Of course I think all of those teams are thinking "we get to play Northwestern." That's part of the reason they will lose to Northwestern. I agree with almost everything you spewed out in your response, espcially the always insightful "they may be too much for them." Yeah, they may, but those will be close games, and the seniors will help.
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