2009 NCAA - Northwestern
The Wildcats won nine games for the first time since 1996 last fall, as Pat Fitzgerald showed his continued maturity since stepping into his role of head coach he was none ready for when mentor Randy Walker suddenly died before the 2006 season started. The bad news is that the Wildcats will have a lot of new faces at the skill position as Fitzgerald plans on rebuilding his spread formation. The good news is that the O-line has four starters back from a unit that allowed the second-fewest sacks in the Big Ten. With a mobile QB (Mike Kafka, who broke a QB record for rushing yards with 217 at Minnesota), the sack number should continue to drop and the ability to move the chains by not getting many negative-yardage plays certainly exists.
|
 |
Northwestern
- Season wins over/under prediction
- Team Power ranking
- Recruiting
- Team Preview
- FREE $$$ BONUSES
Get your FREE copy NOW!
|
Defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz perhaps deserves as much credit as Fitzgerald for the sudden revival of Wildcat football in 2008. In his first season, he turned a defense that allowed 34 points and 252 ypg passing in 2007 to one that gave up just 20 ppg, ranking in top-20 in America. The big change? A switch to an aggressive, attacking mindset from the read-and-react schemes that Fitzgerald exercised in his first two seasons in charge. Eight starters return from the group, which could improve on last season's solid numbers. A true freshman might be the PK by default, a situation which merits watching. |
| ASK the bookie? - The Wildcats have scheduled well and get a fortuituous Big Ten slate this fall. They miss Ohio State and Michigan, and should go 4-0 in the non-conference games (one vs. I-AA Towson State). The top three receivers and top two backs are gone, but there is certainly young talent there to fill in. It's entirely possible that NU could be 6-0 heading into East Lansing on Oct. 17. That will certainly allow guys on both sides of the ball to develop confidence. Can anyone say 'sleeper' again? |
|
 |
REQUEST YOUR COPY - FREE
get your 2009 NCAA Football Preview Guide. |
|