ColumbusSports.com : Your place to stay informed and talk about the sports scene and sports teams in and around Columbus.

(Links to all preview articles published so far are on Keith's author page)

10. Northwestern               2006 record- 4-8, 2-6 overall

Projected Finish in 2007- 5-7, 1-7 Big Ten

Pat Fitzgerald is entering his second season as head coach of the Wildcats. Heading into the season off of a win over Illinois in the 2006 season finale, Fitzgerald will need his offense to become more consistent as Northwestern averaged just 16.5 points per game last season while giving up more than 26. With a more experienced offense led by junior running back Tyrell Sutton, the Wildcats should prove more of a threat from the offensive side of the football in 2007.

The Wildcats will also look to improve a defense that was consistently beat last year giving up 31 points or more in seven of its 12 games. Teams were, for the most part, able to run at will on Northwestern as opponents averaged 158.3 yards on the ground in 2006.

Although it is unlikely that Northwestern will finish higher than tenth in the Big Ten, Fitzgerald will most certainly have the Wildcats prepared to put up a fight and be competitive in what would appear to be a rather down Big Ten conference.

Quarterbacks

Sophomore C.J. Bacher had a rough first year at quarterback for the Wildcats as he passed for just 1,172 yards and 6 touchdowns while throwing 8 interceptions. With a full season under his belt and a veteran in Tyrell Sutton lined up behind him, Bacher should show improvement running an offense that includes three experienced wide receivers and Northwestern will need Bacher to show that improvement quickly in order to improve the offensive output in 2007.

Running Backs

Tyrell Sutton has been the stable of this Northwestern offense for the past two seasons rushing for more than 1,000 yards in both 2005 and 2006. Sutton's number of carries was down in 2006 from 2005 and thus saw a drop in his total yardage and only managed 5 touchdowns in 2006 compared to 16 in 2005. However, if Bacher can prove to be a threat through the air, Sutton should reap the benefits on the ground again in 2007 and once again put up impressive numbers from the running back position. Senior Terrell Jordan, who rushed for 219 yards and 4 touchdowns in limited action last year, will serve as the backup to Sutton again this season.

Wide Receivers

A position that showed its inexperience in 2006 might have an even more tough time in 2007 in finding a go-to receiver and developing any bit of a semblance of a consistent receiving corps. After losing their leading receiver from last season, Shaun Herbert, even though he accounted for just 494 yards and two touchdowns, the Wildcat offense will have to rely on the running game and Sutton to set up the passing game and the pressure on Bacher will be even greater with the lack of experience on the depth chart at the wide receiver position outside of Ross Lane and Eric Peterman.

Tight Ends

Being a team that will primarily rely on the running game, Northwestern will utilize the tight ends very rarely in the offense as the likely starter, Mike Woodsum, failed to register a catch last year. It remains to be seen if the tight ends will be a factor in the NU offense at all with inexperience being an issue up and down the depth chart.

Offensive Line

Sutton saw his rushing numbers dip in 2006 and the fact that the Wildcats will have two new starters along the front of the offense will make it even more difficult to improve upon those numbers in 2007. Dylan Thiry, Adam Crum and Trevor Rees serve as the three returners from last season and will have to carry the load for a rebuilding offensive line. Pass protection will be yet another key as the Wildcats allowed 26 sacks last season and in order for Bacher to improve in the passing game, the line will have to allow him the time to make his reads.

Defensive Line

A veteran defensive line returns in 2007 with all four starters from 2006 returning to the first line of defense. The four returning starters on the line combined for 18.5 tackles for loss and only 6.5 sacks last season while contributing to the defense’s inability to stop the run, allowing 158 rushing yards per game. Getting pressure on the quarterback was a struggle last season for a defense that only registered 23 sacks on the season, so that will most definitely be a focus for the defensive line this season.

Linebackers

Returning leading tackler Adam Kadela will be a mainstay at linebacker for the Wildcats. Kadela who has recorded 151 tackles over the last two seasons enters his third season as a starter at middle linebacker and will be the leader of the defense once again. Senior Eddie Simpson returns at one of the two remaining linebacker positions. Simpson played in 9 games in 2006 and recorded 37 tackles as a backup outside linebacker and has spent much of his career battling injury. The other linebacker position might very well end up belonging to Mike Denard, a junior out of Parma, Ohio, who started the first three games in 2006.

Defensive Backs

Both cornerbacks as well as both safeties return in the defensive backfield this season. Brendan Smith, who is coming off of offseason shoulder surgery, will be back at strong safety where he led the team in interceptions last season with three. Senior Reggie McPherson returns at the other safety spot and Sherrick McManis and Deante Battle will be the two starting corners for the Wildcats. Experience will not a factor for a group that was fifth in the Big Ten last season in pass defense.

Special Teams

The loss of Joel Howells at the placekicking position means that the battle for those duties comes down to junior Amando Villarreal and redshirt freshman Stefan Demos. The punting position appears to be wide open with 2006 backup Kyle Daley the most likely leader but not a guaranteed starter at the position. McManis returns as the top kick returner for the Wildcats, averaging 21 yards per return in 2006. Brendan Smith will be looked at as a punt returner as well in addition to his duties at the safety position.

Tags: big ten preview