2008 Northwestern Wildcats College Football Predictions

The Wildcats haven't been bowling since 2003. Can they build off of a 6-6 season to get over the hump in 2008? In order to do so, the defense is going to have to be better. Get Jimmy Boyd's take in his 2008 Northwestern Wildcats predictions and season preview.
 

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Offense

Mick McCall comes over from Bowling Green to take over the offensive coordinator duties. He'll have some work ahead of him too as the Cats were last in the Big Ten in rushing offense and next to last in scoring. McCall's specialty is the QB position and the spread offense. His first duty will be to turn QB C.J. Bacher into an All-Big Ten player. Bacher was good in his first season as Wildcats signal caller. He completed 61% of his passes and threw 19 touchdowns, but he also threw 19 interceptions. The Cats will return to a no-huddle look this season just like they used to run under coach Randy Walker. McCall thinks this offense and this approach will limit Bacher's mistakes and put tons of pressure on opposing defenses. All Bacher will be asked to do is to hit the first open man. For this offense to really work though, Northwestern is going to need more production from the running game and tailback Tyrell Sutton is just the back to provide it. Hopes are high fro Sutton after an injury plagued sophomore campaign. As a freshman, he gained 1,474 total yards from scrimmage and scored 16 touchdowns. The success of the Wildcats' offense will ultimately be up to a rebuilt offensive line.

Defense

The Cats bring in a new defensive signal caller as well by landing Wisconsin's Mike Hankwitz. He runs a 4-3 scheme which can work with effort guys who aren't as athletic as you will see in Michigan or Ohio State and it will have to work that way because those are the guys that Northwestern gets. NU was awful on defense in 2007, ranking next to last in the Big Ten in total defense, rushing defense, and points allowed. It's very tough to win when you can't stop the run. Macolm Arrington has starting experience, but the Cats may be asking too much of him by moving him to middle linebacker. Tackle John Gill fits the mold of an effort guy which could thrive in Hankwitz' scheme. Sherrick McManis is NU's top returning defensive back. I expect better on this side of the ball under Hankwitz, but ultimately the Cats will need to bring in some more talent to become a top half defensive scheme.

Special Teams

The kicking game really hurt the Wildcats last season. Place kicker Amado Villarreal made just 12 of 18 field goal and most of those misses were chip shots. He has a strong leg, but he'll be on a short leash this season. Also, the teams' punt and kickoff coverage is horrendous. I know you worry about injuries, but the Cats may want to think about putting some better players on the special teams units.

Prediction – 11th in Big Ten

The Wildcats are coming off a .500 season in which they won three Big Ten games, but I have them falling to dead last in 2008. It will be too much to ask for this team to respond to two new coordinators in year one. Also, I expect Minnesota's defense to make more strides, leaving the Wildcats as the worst defensive team in the conference.  Some other teams they might have a chance to top in the standings are Purdue and Indiana.

Jimmy Boyd's college football predictions will help you get a head start on your bookmaker this season. If you're having trouble picking your own games or don't have enough time to devote to researching matchups, Jimmy Boyd will put in the time and hard work for you to provide the most consistent college football picks in the industry this season.

June 15th, 2008