2010 Previews and Outlooks: Northwestern

I witnessed this Wilcat's molestation.

Northwestern. It's in Chicago, which is nice and it's full of smart people. My 2006 trip to Ryan Field was one of my all time favorite game experiences ever. Tailgating by the basketball arena and lake, freezing my balls off, but trying to stay warm by consuming certain beverages. Taking and drinking a sixer on the way from the tailgating spot to the stadium and as a result almost peeing myself. Then we get inside and it's 75% or so OSU fans. It's was like the mini-shoe. Someone humped the bronze wildcat in the end zone, and ran back in to the stands and as far as I know was never caught or punished. OSU won by 5,000,000 or so and all was good. Ahhhh memories. That was 2006, this is 2010 and they only thing that will be different about the Wildcat's season is that they aren't playing Ohio State. It's too bad, I'd make that trip again. The 2009 campaign was stellar by Northwestern standards.

The 2009 Wildcats finished 8-5 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten and narrowly lost to Auburn in the Outback Bowl 38-35 in OT. The 3 point victory was attributed the Auburn fan's loud and uproarious SEC chant, and floppy haircuts. Corey Wooton and Mike Kafka took this team pretty far, but guess what? They're both gone. Most would say that with them they took any chance of Northwestern returning to a bowl game with them. I would tend to agree with that.

Corey Wooton: BAMF. Still in Chicago, but not sporting purple.

2010 will be a painful year for Northwestern fans and players. With key contributors on offense and on defense now playing elsewhere what should they expect? "Returning" on offense is last year's backup at quarterback, Dan Persa. You may recall that Persa got decent playing time with Mike Kafka being injured on every other play late last season. Persa saw action in the win against Iowa, although his numbers(5-9 37 yards) weren't the greatest, he only played the 2nd and 3rd quarters and threw the go ahead touch down. Persa also played against Penn State where he went 14-23 and 115 yards through the air and added 42 yards on the ground. Northwestern's leading returning rusher is Scott Concannon who netted 241 yards and 2 TDs(both against Towson) in 2009. Something tells me this guy isn't a Heisman candidate and might not even start in 2010. It's not because he's a white running back, it's because someone else has to be better than him on that roster. Northwestern also uses something called a "super back". WTF?

On defense the story is pretty much the same. Corey Wooton was picked up by the in-town bears in the 4th round. That dude was a beast, and replacing him won't be easy or maybe not even possible. Gone form last year's defense is Wooton, starting DT Adam Hahn, CB Sherrick McManis, and both safeties; Brad Phillips and Brendan Smith. Will anyone be able to fills the shoes of Wooton on Defense? What about the two safeties lost from last year's team? These would be concerns on any team, not just one with lofty academic standards and recruiting issues like Northwestern.

What does 2010 hold for the Wildcats? Let's ask the magic 8 ball:

Don't blame me, blame the 8 ball.

@ Vanderbilt (W): Who has the biggest um.... brains. NORTHWESTERN WINS!! NOOOOoRRRTTTHHHHHwestern WINS!


Illinois State (W): It's Illinois State. That is all.

@ Rice (W): Wouldn't be "surprised" if they lost this one, but I'm pretty sure that Rice still runs the wishbone like it' s 1950 still. Also, they haven't been goof in 50 years.

Central Michigan (W): No LeFevoure, no win for CMU. Also, that's how a Canadian would spell LeFevoure.

@Minnesota (W): Minnesota is bad. Really bad.

Purdue(L): And this is where dreams of a National Championship die for the Wildcats.

BYE WEEK: win?

Michigan State (L): Even Kirk Cousins can't interception his way out of this one.

@ Indiana (L): Pistol is too much for a very green defense. Indiana wins. Also, what the hell is a Hooiser?


@ Penn State (L): They like to wear white shirts. Northwestern will be wearing their away jerseys, which could be cause for confusion and throwing to the wrong people. No sad pandas this time for the Nitts.

Iowa (L): Even though all Iowa fans over at TRE seem to think NU is their kryptonite, I can't see NU winning this game.


Illinois (W): see "Minnesota" for reason.

@ Wisconsin (L): Wisconsin fan came to get up, they came to get down so they'll get out their seats to jump around. Jump up, jump up and get down. This will also be the billionth night game at Camp Randall this season. I swear they play more night games than LSU plays home games.

That was painful. After starting 5-0 the Wildcats end up at 6-6, 3-5 in the Big Ten. Right on the cusp of a bowl berth. Will they get offered a game? They're not a huge draw for any games as they don't have tons of fan or alumni. If they do get offered a bowl, it will be something less than mediocre. According to Wikipedia, who knows all, the Big Tens 8th bowl tie-in is the Little Cesar's bowl.

PIZZA PIZZA, WILDCATS!