Before the exciting finale of the game-by-game preview, some news and notes.
Wednesday night the Big Ten Network aired its season preview of the Wildcats. It was fun to watch the boys in action again. The BTN crew had both good and bad things to say about the Cats and left with a feeling that NU is young but deep. This is not necessarily bad for 2010; and very good for 2011. I have to admit that I was a little disheartened by Fitz’s comments, however. He clearly was not pleased with the practice that had just occurred and his comments were filled with lines like “I’m glad we are not playing this Saturday.” His presentation was far from the polished and positive message that NU fans are used to, and he did not finish with his trademark “Go Cats”. Let’s hope that it was just one bad day at practice and that this is not indicative of his feelings for the season.
Speaking of Camp Kenosha Hail to Purple posted some nice shots from last Saturday’s scrimmage. Enjoy. Best news out of Camp Kenosha, no new injuries to report. While Drake Dunsmore still isn’t up to full speed, he appears to just be resting from his surgery, rather than nursing an injury. No doubt he will be ready for Nashville.
One of the biggest stories out of Wildcat camp has been the emergence of Venric Mark. It is pretty clear that this true freshman will be returning punts and probably kicks right out of the gun, which is very impressive. If you have seen video of this guy, he is something special. And if Fitz is ready to put his special team’s coach cred on the line with this 18-year-old, I’m all for it. The Trib did a feature story this week on (full name) Venric Emeka-Wococha Mark. It will be nice to have a player that other teams have to hold their breath for.
While we’re talking about young guys, no new news on the recruiting front, but a few items of note. NU is among the finalists for four-star athlete Miles Shuler. Lake the Posts is right, even if the Cats do not score this stud, it says something about the program that NU is in the running. Also, ESPN says that while NU is nowhere near a top-25 recruiting class yet, the Cats are "on the cusp."
The Wildcats spent a special day on Monday that the Great Lakes Naval Facility. Among other responsibilities, this base is boot camp for all new Navy recruits. I’ve been to a pass-in-review (boot camp graduation) at Great Lakes and it is quite a place. These are our boys and it is nice to give them a piece of home. Hopefully some of our sailors will find their way to Ryan Field on their free weekends in the fall. Always nice to have some new fans. Tina Akouris reports on Monday's practice for the Sun Times.
A little humor before getting into the final installment of the season preview. First, be careful on the roads when heading down to Nashville next weekend, apparently, Sippin On Purple just got his driver’s license. Also, if you are interested in kicking Michigan while they are down, check out this fan site, which has converted itself into a Northwestern fan site. While humorous, it is particularly critical of some of the quirks about NU. Sometimes the truth hurts, but not as much as it hurts to be a Wolverine right now.
Weeks 9-12: Last year, NU entered these four games at 5-3 and shocked everyone by emerging 8-4 – and but for Kafka’s injury, may have been 9-3. It will take a good start to the season for these four games to be meaningful, as a 5-3 record might not cut it this year. Playing three teams in the preseason top 15 is never what I would call “fun.” But if they can enter this difficult stretch with some momentum at 6-2 or 7-1, this could be a very exciting November for the Cats. Once again, thanks to Rivals.com for the depth chart information.
Penn State: In 2009, the difference between the Cats and the Nittany Lions was NU’s quarterback situation. The game was basically even until Mike Kafka went down with an injury. The NU offense was anemic under an inexperienced Dan Persa, and in the fourth quarter, the floodgates were opened. The difference between these teams may again be the home team’s quarterback situation. Penn State currently has true sophomore Kevin Newsome slated to run the offense, but true Freshman Robert Bolden is threatening. Either way, there will be a youthful leader to this veteran offense, which will start nine seniors, including all-everything tailback Evan Royster. The young QB, whoever it is, will need to be able to lead his elders. If he falls into place, this is a dangerous offense. If not, the Cats defense should be able to pounce and cause problems all day.
On defense, Penn State is equally as experienced. The front seven is made up of six seniors and a junior, and their linebacker corps of Nate Stupar, Bani Gbadyu, and Chris Colasanti is vintage Penn State. The one weakness in the defense is its corners. If NU can protect Persa, the quick passing game may open the door for some nice things; especially as the Cats multiple receiver sets will bring more youth on to the field.
For the first time in 2010, the Cats youth will truly be tested against this veteran team. Ideally, with eight games under their belt, NU will have grown up into a powerful team, but it will have its hands full in Happy Valley, where the Cats have only won once.
Iowa: Northwestern vs. Iowa has become must-see TV for Big Ten fans. This is a series of constant surprises, upsets, and great defensive games. In three of the last four NU-Iowa games, neither team eclipsed 20 points. Iowa’s offense is lead again by Ricky Stanzi, who will have two great receivers to pitch to in Marvin McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. But the offensive line is a step back from what Iowa is used to, especially at the tackle position. NU’s defensive ends should be able to cause some problems here for Stanzi. Iowa’s running back situation is a mess, but this is a team that seems to always find someone to carry the load. Right now that man is Adam Robinson, sophomore. When Iowa has the ball, expect the push and pull battle that you’ve come to expect in this game – and, as usual, turnovers should rule the day.
On the defensive line, Iowa is downright scary. Three of their four down lineman are all-conference material, lead by Adrian Clayborn. But like Penn State, Iowa is a little soft at corner. NU won’t have many chances, but if Persa can take advantage of the chances he’s given, NU can score a few points on this squad. Iowa’s typically stout linebackers and safeties should be able to stuff any efforts at an NU running attack.
Iowa sees this as a revenge game. NU sees Iowa as a gateway to better things. This is going to be another smash-mouth affair. Mark your calendar for November 13.
Illinois: The Illini are a program on life support right now. Over the past 15 years, Illinois have had a handful of really good seasons, and a sack full of bad ones. Their young offense will do nothing to improve this track record. Illinois’’ current two-deep has them starting 5 sophomores and 4 freshmen – including true Frosh Nathan Scheelhaase at QB and two freshmen on the Offensive Line. The veteran “leader” of this offense is Junior wide-out Jarred Fayson, who caught 16 passes last year. NU’s defense, after a string of games against talented offenses will be digging in their heels for this one. These eleven may find a way to gel by November 20, but if not, Wrigley will be rocking in favor of the Wildcat defense.
Illinois’ defense is a bit of a mixed bag. There is some strong senior leadership, especially on the D-line; and some talented freshmen expected to play immediately. But a true freshman at corner in Terry Hawthorne is never a good sign, and the Illini will have trouble against multiple receiver sets. Similarly, Illinois does not have anyone who really can match up with Dunsmore – he should have a field day. NU’s offense has a lot of pieces that will be back for 2011; this game will be the preview of what to expect in the future.
There are a lot of factors that go into this game. NU has dominated this rivalry since 1995. NU will (hopefully) be playing for bowl positioning, while Illinois may be playing for their coaches’ jobs. The Wrigley experience, along with the last afternoon November game, will make this a special atmosphere for everyone. I all reality though, there is not a greater mismatch on NU’s Big Ten schedule.
Wisconsin: Last season, NU beat a very good Wisconsin team in Evanston. The result was a surprising, but deserved, selection to the Outback Bowl over the far more marketable Badgers. It is very likely that these two will be in a similar position again, as Wisconsin may not yet be at the level of OSU and Iowa just yet. Wisconsin’s offense is lead by the best One-Two punch in the conference. John Clay is one of the best backs in the nation and has the potential to be a Heisman finalist if Wisconsin can have a special season. Scott Tolzien is probably the most complete QB in the league. It will take 11 weeks for the Wildcat D to prepare for these guys. Nick Toon leads a solid receiving corps that will give NU’s defensive backs fits. And they bring Lance Kendricks, the John Mackey award favorite at TE, to the table as well. The O Line is a little young for what fans have frown to expect from Wisconsin. NU’s D-Line against the front five of the Badgers could be the difference in a close game.
The Badgers D-Line has two new starters, including redshirt freshman Jordan Kohout. If the NU running game ever gels, this could be a nice mismatch for this certainly cold November afternoon. Wisconsin’s linebackers and defensive backs are experienced and solid. Don’t expect NU to hang 30+ points on these guys this year. This is another game where the Cats will have to rely on Drake Dunsmore to create mismatches to allow the offense to function.
Hands down, this is a tough way to finish the season. Wisconsin is a very good team, and the clear #3 in the Big Ten. Playing in Camp Randall on the unfamiliar Saturday after Thanksgiving will be a challenging experience for the Cats. Given Wisconsin’s improved defense, NU will have to stop Tolzien-Clay and Co. in order to keep this one close.
Outlook: No doubt, there are very few teams in the country with a closing four games like NUs – especially is it plays out like the season rankings predict. But if NU establishes itself as a strong competitor through October, this could be one of the most exciting Novembers in program history.
4-0: This is Mission Impossible. Probably means the team is good enough for 12-0 or 11-1. 2% chance of 4-0.
3-1: Replicating last year will be tough, especially given that the rest of the conference is on notice, finally. 13%
2-2: Historically, the Cats will win one of these games in an “upset”; of course historically, the Cats will lose a non-con game too. 35%
1-3: Realistically, it probably comes down to winning in Happy Valley. And the Cats simply have more question marks than the Lions. 45%
0-4: Even though Illinois is a mismatch on paper, it is a rivalry game and many things can happen by November. 5%
Final predictions begin next week!
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Go Cats.
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