2007 Northwestern
Wildcats
2007 Recap:
The Wildcats made progress in Pat Fitzgerald’s second year at his
alma mater, but not quite enough to earn an invitation to a bowl
game. The C.J. Bacher-led passing attack kept Northwestern in most
games, often having to overcome the shortcomings of a defense that
was No. 10 in the Big Ten in almost every statistical benchmark.
The unit’s performance cost sixth-year defensive coordinator Greg
Colby his job, creating the first big hire Fitzgerald must make as
he tries to get the Cats back on the other side of .500.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB C.J. Bacher
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Adam Kadela
Biggest Surprise: Beating Michigan State Oct. 6 in a 48-41,
overtime thriller. Bacher threw for a school-record 520 yards and
five touchdown passes, avenging a brutal loss to the Spartans in
2006, and starting a three-game winning streak in October.
Biggest Disappointment: Losing to Duke on Sept. 15, becoming
the first team to do so in two years. The 20-14 home loss to a
program riding a 22-game skid would haunt Northwestern, which fell
one win shy of dramatically improving its postseason resume.
Look Ahead: If the defense makes strides, a likelihood,
there’s enough skill position talent for the Wildcats to be back in
the bowl hunt next November. Although Bacher can be brilliant at
times, he’s also thrown 27 picks in the last 18 games, something
that must be addressed in the offseason.
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2007 NU Preview
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2006 NU Season
2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 6-6
2007 Record:
6-6
Sept. 1
Northeastern
W 27-0
Sept.8
Nevada
W 36-31
Sept. 15
Duke
L 20-14
Sept. 22 at
Ohio State L 58-7
Sept. 29
Michigan L 28-16
Oct.
6 at
Mich St W 48-41 OT
Oct.
13
Minn.
W 49-48 2OT
Oct.
20
Eastern Mich
W 26-14
Oct.
27 at
Purdue L 35-17
Nov.
3 Iowa
L 28-17
Nov.
10
Indiana
W 31-28
Nov.
17 at
Illinois L 41-22 |
Nov. 17
Illinois 41 ... Northwestern 22
Illinois ran for 321 yards and coasted after taking an early
21-0 lead on two one-yard touchdown runs from Juice Williams and a
three-yard Rashard Mendenhall dash. Northwestern scored late in the
first half on a one-yard Tyrell Sutton run, but the Illini ended any
excitement in the third quarter with a 42-yard Jeff Cumberland catch
and an eight-yard Mendenhall run for a 35-7 lead. C.J. Bacher threw
two late touchdown passes and finished with 310 passing yards for
the Wildcats.
Player of the game:
Illinois QB Juice
Williams completed 15 of 23 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown
with an interception, and ran 23 times for 136 yards and two scores.
Stat Leaders: Illinois - Passing: Isiah Williams, 15-23,
220 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Iaiah Williams, 23-136, 2 TD. Receiving: Jeff Cumberland,
4-131, 1 TD
Northwestern - Passing: C.J. Bacher, 29-49, 310
yds, 2 TD< 2 INT
Rushing: Tyrell Sutton, 13-71, 1 TD. Receiving:
Eric Peterman, 10-120
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
The Wildcat offense didn't get enough
going early against Illinois, and the defense, specifically the
linebackers, weren't close to slowing down Juice Williams and the
Illini ground game. Illinois controlled the clock, holding it for
almost 40 minutes, the Northwestern defense never got a rest, and it
was over early. Even though this was a nice 6-6 season, it likely
won't end with a bowl game considering there are too many eligible
Big Ten teams for all the spots. Michigan's loss to Ohio State means
there will almost certainly be just one Big Ten team in the BCS.
That all but kills the Cats' chances.
Nov. 10
Northwestern 31 ... Indiana 28
Northwestern got a three-yard Ross Lane touchdown catch with
44 seconds to play, and then held on with a big sack in the final
few moments to get by the Hoosiers. IU got its first touchdown on a
91-yard James Bailey kickoff return after a Northwestern 29-yard
field goal. With two James Hardy touchdown catches in the second
half from 11 and five yards out, and a 14-yard Kellen Lewis
touchdown run, the Hoosiers held the lead late before NU's final
12-play, 73-yard drive. The Wildcats went on a midgame 21-point run
on a 41-yard Eddie Simpson interception return for a touchdown, a
15-yard Kim Thompson catch, and a one-yard Tyrell Sutton run.
Player of the
game: Northwestern RB Tyrell Sutton ran 33 times for 141 yards
and a touchdown, and caught six passes for 72 yards
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J.
Bacher, 26-33, 276 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Tyrell Sutton, 33-141, 1 TD. Receiving:
Kim Thompson, 6-78, 1 TD
Indiana - Passing: Kellen Lewis, 18-27, 204 yds,
2 TD
Rushing: Bryan Payton, 15-55. Receiving: James Hardy,
7-107, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Northwestern certainly knows how to play
interesting games. Against Indiana, on its final home game of the
year, and with bowl eligibility on the line, it came through with a
clutch drive that'll end up defining its season. Tyrell Sutton
played like Tyrell Sutton again, and C.J. Bacher came through when
he had to. The Wildcats will end up getting hosed in the bowl
pecking order unless they beat Illinois next week, and will likely
get shut out of a 13th game, but that shouldn't diminish what a nice
season this has been.
Nov. 3
Iowa 28 ... Northwestern 17
Iowa overcame an early 14-0 deficit with two Damian Sims
touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, a 16-yard Albert Young run,
and a 20-yard Trey Stross touchdown grab as part of a 28-3 scoring
run. Northwestern got a two-yard Tyrell Sutton scoring run on the
opening drive, and a two-yard Mark Woodson scoring catch late in the
first, but three interceptions, a blocked field goal, and a missed
field goal, helped keep points off the board. The two teams combined
for 12 sacks, each getting six.
Player of the
game:
Iowa DB Bradley
Fletcher made 12 tackles, one interceptions and broke up three
passes
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J.
Bacher, 27-54, 264 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Tyrell Sutton, 23-116, 1 TD. Receiving:
Tyrell Sutton, 7-40
Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 21-36, 299
yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Albert Young, 16-59, 1 TD. Receiving: Derrell
Johnson-Koulianos, 8-119
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's
almost like the healthy return of Tyrell Sutton has hurt the overall
production of the offense, since now the attack has become reliant
on him to carry the load for stretches. C.J. Bacher played like a
world-beater in the first quarter against Iowa, and then he
struggled under the Hawkeye defensive pressure and starting making
too many mistakes. Iowa's defense is good, but at home, there's no
reason the Wildcats should've put up just three points in the final
three quarters. Now there's one real shot left as a bowl game, and
that's next week at home against Indiana. Forget about winning at
Illinois.
Oct. 27
Purdue 35 ... Northwestern 17
Purdue got 220 rushing yards and a big day from Jaycen Taylor,
who tore off 157 yards and two one-yard touchdown runs in the fourth
quarter. Northwestern turned it over four times and didn't get its
running game going, but it went on a 17-point run with Omar Conteh
rushing for an 11-yard score and a 15-yard Eric Peterman touchdown
catch off a hook-and-lateral, but the Boilermakers owned the fourth quarter pulling away
with a 21-yard Dorien Bryant scoring grab. The Boilermakers held on
to the ball for 11:46 in the fourth.
Player of the game: Purdue RB Jaycen Taylor ran 20 times for 157
yards and two touchdowns, and caught a pass for 14 yards.
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J.
Bacher, 20-39, 208 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Tyrell Sutton, 12-72. Receiving: Kim
Thompson, 5-64
Purdue - Passing: Curtis Painter, 24-38, 182
yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Jaycen Taylor, 20-157, 2 TD Receiving: Dorien
Bryant, 7-65, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Tyrell Sutton might have been back in the offensive mix, but he
wasn't used enough with on only 12 carries and an average of six
yards per carry. C.J. Bacher had his worst game in weeks, failing to
connect on the several third down conversion chances, and the
defense paid for it in the second half. There's still work to do to
get bowl eligible, and to beat Iowa or Indiana before dealing with
the trip to Illinois, Bacher has to get back on track.
Oct. 19
Northwestern 26 ... Eastern Michigan 14
It took Northwestern a while to wake up, but eventually, the
offense got going with C.J. Bacher leading the offense 82 yards,
with a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and then ended
the drama with a 71-yard touchdown pass to Kim Thompson. EMU hung
tough with Kyle McMahon, in for an injured Andy Schmitt at
quarterback, running for scores from five and 19 yards out. Four
turnovers proved costly for the Eagles, who were outgained 516 yards
to 381.
Player of the game:
Northwestern QB C.J. Bacher completed 41 of 58 passes for 470 yards
and four touchdowns, and ran seven times for 21 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J.
Bacher, 41-58, 470 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Omar Conteh, 14-81. Receiving: Eric Peterman,
12-114, 1 TD
Eastern Michigan - Passing: Kyle McMahon,
28-48, 282 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Kyle McMahon, 13-44, 2 TD. Receiving: Tyler
Jones, 8-104
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It
wasn't exactly the easy win the Wildcats were hoping for, but
Eastern Michigan helped out with some key turnovers, and C.J. Bacher
got hot at the right time to pull away in the fourth quarter. Now NU
is within striking distance of bowl eligibility needing just one
more win. If the offense is rolling like it can when Bacher is hot,
any of the final four games, at Purdue, Iowa, Indiana and at
Illinois, are winnable. The defense was fine against EMU, but that
was EMU. The souped up version is next week when NU goes to West
Lafayette.
Oct. 13
Northwestern 49 ... Minnesota 48 2OT
In the second overtime, Northwestern got a six-yard touchdown
run from Brandon Roberson, but Minnesota answered with a three-yard
Adam Weber touchdown run. The Gophers chose to go for two, but the
play never had a chance as Weber's pass attempt fell incomplete.
Minnesota was up 35-14 late in the third quarter, thanks to two of
Ernie Wheelwright's three touchdown catches and a nine-yard Amir
Pinnix touchdown run. And then C.J. Bacher got hot, and Northwestern
scored the final 21 points of regulation, with Eric Peterman
catching a four-yard touchdown pass with eight seconds to play. In
the first overtime, Wheeleright caught a 21-yard touchdown pass, but
Northwestern answered with a five-yard Ross Lane touchdown run. The
two teams combined for 1,169 yards of total offense.
Player of the game:
Northwestern QB C.J. Bacher completed 25 of 42 passes for 361 yards
and a touchdown with an interception
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J.
Bacher, 25-42, 361 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Omar Conteh, 19-122, 1 TD. Receiving: Kim
Thompson, 5-133, 1 TD
Minnesota - Passing: Adam Weber, 25-38, 341 yds,
5 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Jay Thomas, 22-100. Receiving: Ernie
Wheelwright, 7-116, 3 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Northwestern was amazing in the comeback against Minnesota, but it
played with fire in yet another shootout. C.J. Bacher has gotten red
hot at the right time, and now it appears this is going to be the
norm. If the offense isn't blowing up, the Wildcats will have
problems. The defense simply isn't getting any production from the
linebackers, but it stiffened up when it absolutely had to late
against the Gophers. Now there's real hope for a bowl game with
Eastern Michigan coming up next. Win that, and it's just one win and
bowl eligibility.
Oct. 6
Northwestern 48 ... Michigan State
41 OT
Northwestern QB C.J. Bacher threw five touchdown passes
including a 12-yarder to Omar Conteh in overtime. Michigan State
misfired on four passes, and the Wildcats pulled off the big road
win. The two teams traded shots all game long, with neither getting
up by more than a score in the see-saw battle. Northwestern rolled
up 611 yards, with Conteh scoring three times, with touchdown runs
of 11 and nine yards in the first quarter, and then it was all
Bacher, hitting five different receivers for scores, including a
78-yarder to Jeff Yarbrough and a 70-yarder to Eric Peterman. Until
overtime, MSU always had an answer, with Javon Ringer ripped off
three touchdowns with dashes from four, 47 and 80 yards.
Player of the game:
Northwestern QB C.J. Bacher completed 38-of-48 passes for 520 yards
and five touchdown passes, and rushed five times for five yards.
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J.
Bacher, 38-48, 520 yds, 5 TDs
Rushing: Omar Conteh, 19-70, 2 TDs. Receiving: Eric
Peterman, 9-141, 1 TD
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 17-31,
194 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 12-185, 3 TDs. Receiving: Javon
Ringer, 6-54
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Now
that's the way the offense is supposed to work. Against Michigan
State, Northwestern cranked out 611 yards, held on to the ball for
35:46, and converted 13 of 19 third down chances. With Minnesota and
Eastern Michigan ahead, the goal can be nothing less than a 5-3
record going into the back stretch, needing one more win for bowl
eligibility. If the line can play like it did this week, and C.J.
Bacher can stay hot, this will be a dangerous team.
Sept. 29
Michigan 28 ... Northwestern 16
Northwestern owned the first half, but managed three field
goals and just one touchdown, while Michigan owned the second half
with three touchdowns. Chad Henne threw three touchdown passes, with
two to Mario Manningham from 11 and 16 yards, out, and Mike Hart
punched in a one-yard scoring run late in the fourth for a little
breathing room. The Wildcats got up on a 49-yard Omar Conteh scoring
run, but five turnovers proved costly.
Player of the
game:
Michigan LB
Shawn Crable had 10 tackles, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble,
a fumble recovery, and a sack.
Stat Leaders: Michigan - Passing: Chad Henne,
18-27, 193 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Mike Hart, 30-106, 1 TD. Receiving: Mario
Manningham, 10-123, 1 TD
Northwestern – Passing: C.J. Bacher, 22-42, 289
yds, 3 INTs
Rushing: Omar Conteh, 15-115, 1 TD. Receiving: Ross Lane,
6-87
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Despite
not having Tyrell Sutton to count on, the Northwestern running game
had its moments against Michigan. It wasn't consistent, but Omar
Conteh busted off a big scoring dash and made things interesting
early on. C.J. Bacher isn't enough of a rushing threat to throw a
scare into anyone, so if he's not bombing away effectively, the
offense isn't going to move for a full 60 minutes. After the Ohio
State debacle, the defense did a great job this week, but it'll have
to toughen up in a big way or Michigan State will run wild next
week.
Sept. 22
Ohio State 58 ... Northwestern 7
Ohio State ended it before everyone got settled in their
seats. Brian Robiskie caught touchdown passes from 42 and 28 yards
in the first four minutes, and later added a 19-yard score. The
running game got into the act with two short Maurice Wells
touchdowns and a 36-yard Chris Wells dash. Northwestern was held to
120 yards of total offense and only scored on a 99-yard Sam Simmons
kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half.
Player of the
game:
Ohio State WR
Brian Robiskie caught three passes for 89 yards and three
touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J.
Bacher, 17-32, 120 yds, 2 INTs
Rushing: Omar Conteh, 15-28. Receiving: Eric Peterman,
6-61
Ohio State - Passing: Todd Boeckman, 11-14, 179
yds, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Chris Wells, 12-100, 1 TD. Receiving: Brian
Robiskie, 3-89, 3 TDs
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Mr.
Blutosky; 0.0. Northwestern wasn't beating Ohio State no matter
what, but it certainly didn't help the cause to not have Tyrell
Sutton for yet another week. The Wildcat offense didn't net a
rushing yard, and C.J. Bacher was never able to find anything open
for the passing game to get going. At the moment, the Cats can't
beat anyone decent with just the air attack, and needs Sutton back
and healthy as soon as humanly possible. Forget about staying with
Michigan next week without him.
Sept. 15
Duke 20 ... Northwestern 14
Duke broke its 22-game losing streak as Thaddeus Lewis threw
three touchdown passes, with a 56-yard pass play to Ronnie Drummer
to take the lead for good, but it wasn't easy. Northwestern rallied
back with a one-yard C.J. Bacher touchdown run early in the fourth
quarter, and had plenty of chances at the end after a 35-yard Bacher
run got the Cats down to the Duke seven. The Blue Devils held on as
a pressured Bacher had to hurry his fourth down pass into the end
zone. Northwestern outgained Duke 506 yards to 309.
Player of the game:
Duke QB Thaddeus
Lewis completed 19 of 23 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns
and ran eight times for ten yards
Stat Leaders: Duke
- Passing:
Thaddeus Lewis, 19-23, 246 yds, 3 TD
Rushing:
Tielor Robinson, 4-21. Receiving: Jomar Wright, 7-63, 1 TD
Northwestern
- Passing: C.J. Bacher, 30-50, 368 yds, 2 INT
Rushing:
Brandon Roberson,
21-80, 1 TD. Receiving: Ross Lane, 9-128
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
It'd be easy to partially blame the loss
to Duke on not having RB Tyrell Sutton, who was out with an ankle
injury, but the offense had no problems putting up big yards. What
it couldn't do was finish off drives, with 13 penalties and two
interceptions proving costly. After the way the team has had to
rally so far, it was bound to get burned at some point. That the
loss came to a lowly team like Duke at home hurts, but it was even
more painful considering Ohio State and Michigan are up next.
Sept. 8
Northwestern 36 ... Nevada 31
In a wild game with several big plays, Northwestern came up
with a game-winning 80-yard drive in :51 with Ross Lane catching a
13-yard touchdown pass with just :21 to play. Nevada held a 24-10
lead at halftime helped by two Nick Graziano touchdown passes,
including a 48-yard bomb to Kyle Sammons with no time left.
Northwestern owned the second half as C.J. Bacher threw two of his
three touchdown passes and Brandon Roberson ran for a one-yard
score, but the Wolf Pack grabbed the lead late in the game with a
27-yard Luke Lippincott run..
Player of the game:
Northwestern QB C.J. Bacher threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns
on 20-of-45 passing, adding another 60 yards on the ground on eight
carries.
Stat Leaders: Nevada - Passing: Nick Graziano,
22-36, 337 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Luke Lippincott, 28-140, 1 TD. Receiving:
Kyle Sammons, 5-102, 1 TD
Northwestern - Passing: C.J. Bacher, 20-45, 227
yds, 3 TDs
Rushing: Brandon Roberson, 13-128, 1 TD. Receiving:
Tyrell Sutton, 5-59
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... One
of the trademarks of Northwestern teams under Randy Walker was the
ability to come up with heart-stopping comebacks to pull games out
of the fire. After the win over Nevada, now the Wildcats know that
they can do the same under Pat Fitzgerald. C.J. Bacher carried the
offense once Tyrell Sutton was out with an ankle injury, and this
might be the performance that gives the offense the confidence that
knows it can move the ball at any time when down. As good as Bacher
is becoming, to have a shot at Ohio State (after playing Duke next
week), Sutton has to be healthy.
Sept. 1
Northwestern 27 ... Northeastern 0
Northwestern pitched a shutout as the defense allowed 260
yards of total Northeastern offense and was never threatened. C.J.
Bacher ran for a five-yard score and threw a two-yard touchdown pass
to Ross Lane. Tyrell Sutton added a one-yard scoring run in the
third quarter. Northeastern managed 151 passing yards and 109
rushing yards.
Player of the
game ...
Northwestern RB
Tyrell Sutton ran 24 times for 108 yards and a score, adding four
catches for 24 yards.
Stat Leaders: Northeastern - Passing: Anthony
Orio, 10-18, 69 yds
Rushing: Maurice Murray, 16-48 Receiving: Alex
Broomfield, 7-50
Northwestern - Passing: C.J. Bacher, 23-29, 243
yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Tyrell Sutton, 24-108, 1 TD Receiving: Jeff
Yarbrough, 7-68
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Northwestern came up with the exact type of opening day performance
it needed against a team like Northeastern. The defense never
allowed Northeastern in the red zone, the offense got an efficient
day from QB C.J. Bacher, and the offensive line was dominant in all
phases. The Wildcats need to control the ball and the time of
possession to beat most teams, and they did that, holding the ball
for 36:58 including almost 23 minutes of the second half.
Sept. 1 - Northeastern
Sept. 8 - Nevada
Offense: The offense is going to be a work in progress and should
be far better midseason than it will be to start. The biggest question
marks are on the offensive line, particularly at tackle, after Charles
Manu moved to guard and Dominic Green move to center. The receiving
corps is big, faster than last year, and should make more big plays with
big-armed Nick Graziano taking over at quarterback. The running backs
need Brandon Fragger to be healthy to add a speed option along with Luke
Lippencott. The Pistol offense will likely use a little more fullback
this year, and will try to push the passing game deeper.
Defense: There will be some new defensive coaches taking over
with coordinator Ken Wilson keeping the 3-4 scheme to take advantage of
the great linebackers. Ezra Butler, Jeremy Engstrom, and Joshua Mauga
are as good as any trio in the WAC, and will be the team's strength. The
line is solid, helped by the emergence of nose tackle Matt Hines as a
top all-around playmaker. The secondary is fine, but nothing special;
the better WAC passing games won't have a problem against it.
Sept. 15 - Duke
Offense: Eleven starters return to an offense that lived
through the growing pains of a youth movement in an attempt to take a
giant leap forward. New offensive coordinator Peter Vaas, who comes over
from Notre Dame, should help make quarterback Thaddeus Lewis more
consistent. Helping the overall cause even more is a veteran line that
needs to be far better after doing next to nothing well throughout last
year. It'll be tailback by committee with several different options to
see carries, while the overall strength will be at receiver with several
young, big, good-looking targets for Lewis to use to push the ball
deeper.
Defense: The defense is still not going to be a rock, but there's
promise with several good young players to revolve around. Top prospects
Vince Oghobaase and Ayanga Okpokowuruk are rising stars on the line,
while Patrick Bailey is a playmaker who'll be one of the ACC's better
pass rushers. Michael Tauiliili is a playmaker at middle linebacker, but
the outside linebackers are question marks. Safeties Chris Davis and
Adrian Aye-Darko are good, and they'll need to be with major concerns at
corner.
Sept. 22 – at Ohio State
Offense: You don't get better after losing Ted Ginn,
Anthony Gonzalez, Antonio Pittman, and, oh yeah, some quarterback who
won a Heisman and owned Michigan. While many will predict doom and
gloom, the offense might crank out close to as many yards as last year
when it was 26th in the nation as long as Chris Wells holds up and
becomes the running back everyone's expecting him to be, and new
starting quarterback Todd Boeckman is merely above average. The
receiving corps is talented, but untested, while there's plenty of
reason to be excited about a line that'll field one of the best starting
fives in the nation. Tackles Alex Boone and Kirk Barton and guard Steve
Rehring will be first day draft picks. Welcome back to Tressel ball with
more running and fewer shots taken down the field.
Defense: A question mark last year thanks to a ton of turnover,
the defense reloaded and should be fantastic as long as the tackles and
safeties shine and a second corner emerges on the other side of Malcolm
Jenkins. There are stars to build around, with Jenkins, LB James
Laurinaitis and end Vernon Gholston among the best in the country, while
there are emerging stars, as always around OSU, in like linebackers
Larry Grant and Ross Homan and end Lawrence Wilson. Don't expect too
many bells and whistles; this D will beat teams by simply being far more
athletic.
Sept. 29 - Michigan
Offense: Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord didn't change things
up much in his first year, and there aren't going to be a lot of bells
and whistles for an attack with all the stars returning. Chad Henne,
Mike Hart, and Mario Manningham form the best skill trio in America,
while tackle Jake Long and quarter Adam Kraus form one of the nation's
best left sides. The only issue is depth, which is stunning undeveloped
or a program like Michigan. Of course there are talented prospects
waiting in the wings, but there will be major problems if injuries
strike early on.
Defense: Defensive coordinator Ron English did a fantastic job in
his first season sending the dogs loose to attack more than previous
Michigan teams. Now the hope will be for overall speed and athleticism
to make up for the lack of experience and a few gaping holes. This won't
be the nation's number one run defense again, and it won't be fourth in
sacks, but it will create plenty of turnovers and force a ton of
mistakes. It'll also give up too many big pass plays. The safeties are
fine, the linebacking corps won't be an issue, even without David Harris
to anchor things anymore, and the line, in time, will grow into a
strength. The biggest issue will be at corner, where Morgan Trent isn't
a number one lockdown defender, and there are several untested prospects
waiting to get their chance to shine.
Oct. 6 – at Michigan State
Offense: In keeping with the overall belief system of the new
coaching staff, the offense will try to become more physical and should
play to the strength, which will be running the ball. The line is big,
and now has to start hitting to open things up for the speedy duo of
Javon Ringer and A.J. Jimmerson and the pounding Jehuu Caulcrick. All
eyes will be on Brian Hoyer, who might not be Drew Stanton talent-wise,
but should be a more consistent quarterback as long as the receiving
corps, which loses the top three targets, becomes productive right away.
Defense: The aggressive, attacking approach didn't work under the
old regime, and now the new coaching staff will want to play it a bit
closer to the vest to start, and then will start to make big plays as
everyone figures out their roles. There won't be too many bells and
whistles in the basic 4-3, but some chances will need to be taken, and
head coach Mark Dantonio is great at adjusting and forcing teams out of
their gameplans, after not doing much to generate any pressure in the
backfield last year. A pass rusher has to emerge, but the overall
potential is there to be better with Otis Wiley and Nehemiah Warrick
good safeties to build around, while the linebackers should be one of
the team's biggest strengths. The line is the key after a few awful
years of doing a lot of nothing.
Oct. 13 - Minnesota
Offense:
New offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar and his
spread offense might seem like a radical departure for the Gophers, but
the pieces are there, for the most part, for the thing to work right
away with small, athletic linemen, quick running backs, and big
receivers. The one thing missing is a steady quarterback who can hit the
open receiver on a regular basis, meaning the Tony Mortensen vs. Adam
Weber battle will go on until fall. Basically, the offense will undergo
a change to achieve the same rushing results with a less effective
passing game.
Defense: What the Gophers lack in talent they'll try to make up
for in intensity and experience. For good and bad, ten starters return
along with loads of experienced reserves to give hope for a big jump in
overall production after finishing 113th in the nation in defense.
However, there was a method to the old coaching staff's madness as the D
allowed yards, but went for the big play forcing 32 turnovers. The new
regime will be far more aggressive and take far more chances; they can
do that with a veteran group like this. The linebacking corps will be
the strength, while Willie VanDeSteeg and the line should get into the
backfield more often. Can the Gophers shut down a power running attack
or a high-octane passing game? No and no, but it'll be better in all
phases.
Oct. 20 - Eastern Michigan
Offense:
EMU's defense hasn't been productive in years,
but if there's not a major improvement this year with ten starters
returning along with a slew of experienced depth, it might never happen.
Junior Daniel Holtzclaw is a superstar middle linebacker who'll be the
one the rest of the defense revolves around. Tackles Jason Jones and
Josh Hunt can't stop the run, but they're regulars in opposing
backfields. As long as the corners and ends start to produce, and the
experience and quickness at all spots makes up for a general lack of
size, things should be better after finishing 116th in the nation
against run and 98th in total defense.
Defense: New offensive coordinator Scott Ispohording has his work
cut out for him despite getting seven starters back along with a ton of
experienced depth. The supposed wide-open offense was awful with no
ground game from the running backs and even less of a passing attack
with quarterbacks Andy Schmitt and Tyler Jones basically running,
running and running some more. The line should be better with three
returning starters and a decent interior, but the offense won't go
anywhere unless Pierre Walker, or possible Jones, turns into a reliable
tailback. The loss of top receiver Eric Deslauriers means the passing
game will be spread out among several options with the hope for former
quarterback Dontayo Gage to turn into a true number one.
Oct. 27 – at Purdue
Offense: The Purdue offense was
like a big budge action movie with a ton of fireworks and explosions,
but had a plot that goes nowhere. It cranked out yards in bunches but
did absolutely nothing against the big boys scoring three points against
Wisconsin, seven against Maryland, 17 against Iowa, and was shut out by
Penn State. It'll be in the top ten in the nation in yards again with
Curtis Painter getting a jaw-dropping good receiving corps to work with
led by the amazing Dorien Bryant in the slot. The 1-2 rushing punch of
Jaycen Taylor and Kory Sheets is the best yet in the Joe Tiller era,
while the right side of the line, Sean Sester at tackle and Jordan
Grimes at guard, along with center Robbie Powell, will be dominant. The
left side of the line is a concern and there's no developed depth
anywhere, but the starting 11 should move the ball at will.
Defense: The Boilermakers haven't played defense for two years,
and now the hope is for experience to turn into production with nine
starters returning. Stopping the run will be priority one after
finishing last in the Big Ten allowing 191 yards per game. The porous
secondary should be better with all the young, inexperienced prospects
of last year ready to shine as veterans. Overall, the pillow-soft D
needs to find a nasty streak and start to play far tougher.
Nov. 3 - Iowa
Offense: The Jake Christensen era starts after four years of the
Drew Tate regime, but backup quarterback Arvell Nelson is a terrific
prospect who could push hard this fall. With the 1-2 rushing punch of
Albert Young and Damian Sims, the ground game will be strong if the
questionable offensive line pulls out a better season than last year
(when injuries were a major problem). Dominique Douglas and Andy Brodell
are emerging targets, and they'll shine with a passer like Christensen
winging it. As good as Christensen might be, the offense will try to run
first.
Defense: You basically know what you're getting with the Iowa
defense. It's not going to do anything fancy, it's not going to bring
any funky blitzes, and most teams should be able to get yards through
the air without a problem. However, everyone can hit and there are few
mistakes made. Eight starters return, led by end Ken Iwebema and one of
the Big Ten's best lines, while the replacements for the departed
starters are good. Forcing more turnovers, making more plays behind the
line, and generating more pressure are all vital to coming up with a
better year.
Nov. 10 - Indiana
Offense: The IU spread offense has the pieces in place with
rising star quarterback Kellen Lewis about to come into his own as a
leader, and a good receiving corps to put up big numbers, led by James
Hardy. There's speed at running back, but Marcus Thigpen and Demetrius
McCray have to be more productive. The X factor is the line, which the
late Terry Hoeppner did a great job of putting together in the 2006
recruiting class. Rodger Saffold and Pete Saxon are just two who should
upgrade the front.
Defense: The IU defense has struggled over the last few years to
slow anyone down, but now the youth movement should produce results. The
goal is to bend but not break, and now there has to be less breaking.
It's still a young overall group, but there's experience and potential,
especially at corner where Tracy Porter and Leslie Majors should be
among the Big Ten's best. There's little proven pass rush up front,
while the linebacking corps is small and quick by design.
Nov. 17 – at Illinois
Offense: Has there ever been so much of a buzz for an
offense that's done absolutely nothing? Juice Williams led the way to
the nation's most inefficient passing attack, the O struggled to average
20 points a game, and never, ever came up with a clutch play. Chalk it
up to youth, but this year's offense is still insanely young, and
getting younger with the best receiver, Arrelious Bean, a true freshman.
Even so, all will be fine as long as the starting 11 stays healthy. If
injuries strike, things will go in the tank with no one to rely on
behind Williams, no solid number two running back behind home-run hitter
Rashard Mendenhall, and little developed depth behind an average line
with four starters returning.
Defense: The defense never got any credit for a not-that-bad
season. It was good at not giving up long drives or tons of yards, but
it never, ever, ever came through with a key stop. How strange was the
Illini D? It was 33rd in the nation allowing 310 yards per game, but
allowed 26.75 points per game. This was going to be a good defense
returning with J Leman tackling everything in sight at middle linebacker
and Chris Norwell staring at tackle, and now there's actual talent to
get excited about with the addition of mega-star recruits D'Angelo
McCray on the line and Martez Wilson at linebacker. It'll be an
interesting mix of good senior veterans and more talented underclassmen.
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