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Northwestern Football Predictions 2009

Written June 19, 2009 by InfoPlays

Northwestern-Football-Predictions-2009 The Big Ten appears to be a bit unpredictable in 2009, which is the best news Northwestern fans could hear. QB Mike Kafta didn’t implode against Ohio State and Minnesota when pressed into duty. Pat Fitzgerald’s defense must climb a rung or two on the toughness scale and they’ll have a shot at a lower-tier bowl bid come season’s end. The NCAA football odds makers have the Wildcats listed at +2500 to win the Big Ten Championship.

Offense: Even with C.J. Bacher out of the picture, there’s no question as to who will take over at starting quarterback. Mike Kafka give a natural ease to the transition from one senior to another. Kafka started as a red shirt freshman and has very good instincts in the run-read option. The uncertainty is in the backfield. Jeravin Mathews Alex Daniel and Arby Fiels are chasing junior Stephen Simmons entering fall camp. Simmons is the best receiver in the group. He runs behind his pads, but lacks experience in having just 66 carries in two seasons. He also isn’t the prototypical running back at 5-8, 175.

Daniel is the one to keep your eyes on. He can move the chains in short-yardage situations with his rugged running style. Mathews isn’t behind, but his greatest asset is open-field wiggle, meaning he could be a returner or a receiver come this fall. Four starting linemen are back, and there are promising projects from the past two recruiting classes. Wide receiver is another story. Kafka’s running skills will be huge if their unproven receiving corps staggers. Senior Andrew Brewer had 18 catches in ‘08 and sophomore Jeremy Ebert showed potential. The loss of three 100-career catch receivers leaves the Northwestern Wildcats very thin outside.

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Defense: This is an experienced unit led by end Corey Wootton who gives coordinator Mike Hankwitz an All-Big Ten anchor. Wootton had 16 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks as a junior. But he was recovering from knee surgery in the spring, and two other D-line starters were missing as well. If everyone comes back on schedule, the Wildcats have a base for an improved defense that showed strides last year. They allowed just 126.4 rushing yards/game in a run-heavy conference. Vince Browne earned Freshman All-American notice opposite Wootton.

The secondary is led by cornerback Sherrick McManis who had 67 tackles and 2 interceptions. But the entire unit is back, including rangy safety Brad Phillips who had 109 tackles and is an All-Big Ten prospect. The greatest improvement on this side of the ball should come at linebacker. Formulating the exact order of the two-deep was a challenge for the first time in awhile at NU. Outside linebacker Ben Johnson has played safety but showed he was starting material at backer in the spring. Nate Williams and Quentin Davie combined for 13 tackles for a loss in ‘08.

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