2012-13 Football Previews – (Big 10) – Northwestern Wildcats
Pat Fitzgerald still isn’t 38 years old, but he now has the second longest tenure of any Big Ten coach (behind Kirk Ferentz at Iowa). Fitzgerald is a young spirited coach who has gotten the most out of his teams. He recently signed an extension that keeps him in Evanston until 2020.
Big 10 Conference 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Northwestern Wildcats
Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
2011 Record 6-7
Northwestern Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS Championship: +50,000
Northwestern Gambling Odds from JustBet to win Big 10 Conference: +3,500
Northwestern Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
The Wildcats have been decent the past few years, but they are looking to take the next step and become contenders in the Big Ten.
Northwestern has made it to a bowl game several times in the past few years, but they’ve been unable to capture that elusive bowl win. The Wildcats haven’t won a bowl game since 1949. Fitzgerald brought in the best recruiting class Northwestern has seen in many years in 2012, and expectations inside this program continue to grow. Let’s take a look at how this team breaks down in 2012.
Team Strengths:
The linebacker group last season was riddled with injuries, which made several youngsters play a lot of downs in 2011. Fortunately for Northwestern, that turns into a positive this year since many of those same youngsters are now primary starters. The lone senior from the group, David Nwabuisi is expected to be a defensive leader this season.
Kain Colter has shown he can be a play maker with his feet, and he spent the offseason working on his short and medium range passing. Colter could be dangerous in the spread offense if he can develop into a solid passer. He led the team in rushing last year, and he’ll probably lead them in rushing again this season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
Northwestern has struggled to find anyone to carry the football at the tailback spot the last few years. Mike Trumpy is the starter, but he has been injured every season. Treyvon Green has the potential to be a good back, but I’m not sure he will be durable enough to carry it 20 times a game either.
The secondary was crushed by the losses of three starters after last season. Northwestern will struggle to replace guys like Brian Peters, Jordan Mabin, and Jeravin Matthews. Only one player that will start saw significant repetitions last season for the Wildcats. Look for opposing teams to air it out against the Wildcats. This could be a real problem area.
Northwestern’s offense line undergoes a lot of changes heading into this season. Colter can be a play maker, but this line has to give him some time in the pocket. The entire right side of the offensive line is up for grabs. Inexperience along the offensive front could slow this team down in 2012.
2012-2013 Northwestern Wildcats Football Prediction: 6-7
Northwestern lost a ton of talent from last year’s team. Dan Persa was one of the best players in the conference, and it will be tough for the offense without him under center. The good news is Northwestern gets a very easy schedule in 2012. I think this is a case where Northwestern actually is worse this season, but they end with a similar record because the schedule is so much easier. Pat Fitzgerald will have a tough time winning too much with so many question marks. It may take a couple years for the better recruiting to pay off on the field.
2012 Northwestern Schedule
9/1/12 12:00 PM ET @SYR
9/8/12 8:00 PM ET VAN
9/15/12 3:30 PM ET BCOLL
9/22/12 TBD SDC
9/29/12 TBD IND
10/6/12 TBD @PENST
10/13/12 TBD @MINN
10/20/12 TBD NEB
10/27/12 12:00 PM ET IOWA
11/10/12 TBD @MICH
11/17/12 TBD @MCHST
11/24/12 TBD ILL
