2009 Northwestern Football Predictions
Pat Fitzgerald has come in and done the job for the Northwestern Wildcat football program. He led the Cats to a 9-4 mark in 2008, and it easily could have been 11-2 as they lost by just two to Indiana and in overtime to Mizzou in the Alamo Bowl. Find out what lies in store for the Wildcats this season in this 2009 college football betting preview. Northwestern is listed at +2500 to win the 2009 Big Ten title.
Bet your NCAA football picks at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!
Offense – The offense loses seven starters, including its quarterback, running back, and top wide receiver, but that’s no reason to sleep on the Wildcats. Mike Kafka gets the nod at QB. He started four games in 2006 and also gained some nice experience down the stretch last season, passing for 330 yards and two scores and running for 321 yards and another score. Kafka is a strong runner so if he can prove to be an accurate passer, Northwestern’s spread attack will remain difficult to stop. Kafka won’t be able to do it all on his own. The team will be looking for running backs Stephen Simmons and Jeravin Matthews and wide receivers Andrew Brewer, Sidney Stewart, and Jeremy Ebert to step up as playmakers. All the losses at the skill spots will be helped by an offensive line which returns four starters.
Defense – Most football buffs out there aren’t used to hearing the words Northwestern and defense in the same sentence. But it was the defense which carried the Cats last season and a unit which returns eight starters will be ready to do it again in 2009. The Wildcats held their opponents to just 20.2 points per game last season (26th nationally) and they did it with the league’s best pass rush and a strong secondary. After posting just 18 sacks in 2007, the Wildcats led the Big Ten with 34 quarterback sacks last season. All-America candidate Corey Wootton leads the charge up front coming off a 10-sack season from the defensive end position. Expect big things from sophomore Vince Browne opposite him. It used to be a given that you could pass on Northwestern, but that’s not the case anymore. Three All-Big Ten picks return along with cornerback Jordan Mabin who earned Freshman All-American honors. This dynamic foursome combined for 10 interceptions, 29 pass breakups, and forced five fumbles. Free safety Brad Phillips is the cream of the crop. He came up with 109 stops last season as the team’s top returning tackler. The linebacker position isn’t as strong as the other two defensive units, but I expect improvement here with Nate Williams and Quentin Davie gaining valuable experience last season.
Prediction: 6th Big Ten – A slight step back is expected with all that was lost on offense, but a strong defense will keep the Wildcats very competitive. It is apparent that under Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern is no longer a team that can be overlooked on any Big Ten schedule.
Beat the NCAA football odds in 2009 with football picks from World Champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd!
