Northern Illinois Football 2010 Preview

Northern Illinois Huskies Football 2010 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2010 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2010 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2010 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2009 Record: 7-6 MAC Record: 5-3 2010 Returning Starters: 17: 6 Offense, 10 Defense, Punter

Coach: Jerry Kill (Northern Illinois: 13-13, 2 years)

Offensive Coordinators: Matt Limegrover Defensive Coordinators: Tracy Claeys

2010 Northern Illinois Players to Watch: QB Chandler Hamish, TB Chad Spann, WR Landon Cox, OT Trevor Olson, DE Sean Progar, SS Tracy Wilson, LB Alex Kube

2010 Northern Illinois Strengths:
Spann should be one of the best running backs in the Mid-American Conference. If Harnish can stay healthy and keep the passing game functioning, Spann could put big numbers on the board. The defense is tough and hard hitting but could use some more big plays.

2010 Northern Illinois Weaknesses:
The right knee of Harnish may not survive afull season. Even if it does, coach Jerry Kill is going to have to find consistency from the receivers. The offensive line lacks depth and appears to be an area of concern. The defense needs to provide big plays.

2010 Northern Illinois Offense:

Quarterback Chandler Harnish had a problem. He had an injured right knee that could have used a surgical repair. But Harnish did not want to take a chance that he would miss spring training camp and the start of the season. So, Harnish participated in spring ball and did well enough to have the inside track on the starting position once again, and it appeared he could get by without the surgery. Harnish completed 143 of 223 passes for 1,670 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. Harnish is an accurate passer who can throw on the move, but how well his right knee holds up will be a big issue during the season. The running game will be in the capable hands of senior tailback Chad Spann, who gained 1,038 yards, averaging 5.8 per carry, and rushed for 19 touchdowns last year. He missed spring because of shoulder surgery. Landon Cox is the Huskies’ top receiver. He caught 45 passes for 535 yards and four touchdowns last year. At 6-3, 220 pounds, Cox is strong enough to overpower most defensive backs and can out-leap them as well. Starting tackles Trevor Olson and Adam Kiel should provide strength and consistency up front.

2010 Northern Illinois Defense:

Northern Illinois had the NO.1 defense in the MAC last season. Despite the loss of end Jake Coffman (8.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss), the team still has plenty of returning talent. Safety Tracy Wilson, who had a team-high 93 tackles last season, is a big hitter who will stick his nose in the middle of the pile to bring down the running back, but coach Jerry Kill wants to see more big plays from him. Linebacker Alex Kube could produce those big plays. He had 60 tackles, including six behind the line a year ago. Fellow linebacker Pat Schiller had 82 stops in 2009, but he needed knee surgery for a spring injury and will miss the start of the season. Sophomore defensive end Sean Progar, who had six sacks last season, should be the key to the pass rush now that Coffman has moved on.

2010 Northern Illinois Special Teams:

Josh Wilber will handle the punting duties if he can hold off Ryan Neir, but the placekicking job is wide open between incoming freshmen Matthew Sims and Tyler Anderson and incumbent Alex Faust. Tommy Davis is back as the punt and kick returner. He is more dangerous in the latter category after averaging 24.1 yards per kickoff return and bringing one back all the way.

2010 Northern Illinois Predictions:

The Huskies play four of their first five games on the road, including games at Iowa State, Illinois and Minnesota. The health of quarterback Chandler Harnish will be a huge factor. If he can survive, Northern Illinois should have another winning season. If he can’t, opposing defenses will team up to stop running back Chad Spann and the offense will struggle.

2010 Northern Illinois Betting Odds:

Northern Illinois Current odds to win a National Championship: OFF

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