[NU Sports] 10 Bold Big Ten Predictions - bull doo doo

[Jonathan Hodges]

Remember that this preview is from an OSU site and is obviously biased in
that direction.  Even the usually pessimistic (for NU) national publications
don't think that NU will struggle to "win one Big Ten game" although the
amount of wins predicted varies somewhat.

I won't go full out into my NU prediction for 2008 just yet, but fans should
be looking for the following:

- Improved offensive efficiency thanks to talented veteran skill players on
offense (Bacher, Sutton, Lane, Peterman), the addition of Brewer to the WR
crew, and the new OC McCall who has emphasized a "run from the spread"
strategy previously (and has mentored some very good MAC QBs).

- Big improvement on defense, mostly thanks to new veteran DC Hankwitz who
has more experience as a DC than Fitz has playing and coaching organized
football.  The DL includes many veterans, most notably Gill (also, don't
forget there is a new DL coach), the LB corps includes multiple talented
underclassmen pushing for playing time, and the secondary has a good amount
of talent and speed (which should also be helped by the return of Smith).

- The schedule is very favorable for NU.  The weakness of the NC slate,
coupled with 3/4 home games, is obvious.  In Big Ten play, NU misses both
PSU and Wisconsin, who are both expected to do very well.  Also, the other 3
teams who are talked up (OSU, Michigan, and Illinois), are the last 3 games
of the season for NU (2 at home).  If the 'Cats want to make a run by
building momentum earlier in the year, this is the perfect opportunity
(think of how Kansas made a big run last year by racking up "easy" wins
early on thanks to a soft schedule and then facing big opponents late).

- The biggest weakness is the OL.  Only 2 starters will be returning
(Belding, Mattes), and underclassmen with no game playing time will most
likely be in the starting lineup.  After an underwhelming performance last
year this unit will have to prove itself early on.

My personal prediction for wins in 2008 is 8 (+/- 1).  I realize that this
is a high number and is above what many are expecting (especially the
media), but the 'Cats have a lot going in their favor (noted above) and I
believe that the trial by fire of Fitz the past 2 years has helped him
progress and he (along with what is now HIS coaching staff) will be able to
take this team to a bowl game at a minimum and quite possibly beyond.

Jonathan

On Fri, Aug 1, 2008 at 10:51 AM, mlinhardt at netzero.com <
mlinhardt at netzero.com> wrote:

> 10 Bold Big Ten Predictions
> http://uweekly.com/newsmag/07-30-2008/8911
>
> "...Northwestern will breeze through a cupcake out of conference schedule
> only to struggle to win one Big Ten game..."
>
> For us to match last year I believe we only have to have one area where we
> improve -- a healthy Sutton.  If he is healthy.  We don't need a very
> productive running, but at least an available swing-pass option.  With this
> I believe we will be improved, which will get us our 7th win, at minimum.
>
> Meisel(author) is one one of the few that doesn't love the Ill-whine-I
> completely, but still gives them a 5-3 conference record.  Without
> Mendenhall they have very little.
>
> He loves Painter, which I can't understand either.
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> Start Email Marketing - fast, affordable, and measurable. Click here.
>
> http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2231/fc/Ioyw6ijlPsof7x9c8xYyFfxwomiaapGn7iDlEK1KJrj1SBZ6gPwRg3/
>
> _______________________________________________
> nwu-sports site list
> nwu-sports at tssi.com
> http://romaine.tssi.com/mailman/listinfo/nwu-sports
>
> Administrative Note:  Comcast has been bouncing a lot of list traffic
> recently.  The problem appears to be intermittent and is on their end.  If
> you get bounced off the list, just resubscribe.
>



-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
1237 Emerson St Apt 2
Evanston, IL 60201-3577
(847) 736-2449
jonathanwhodges at gmail.com