Northwestern Football 2010 Preview

Northwestern 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: 8-5 Big 10 Record: 5-3 2010 Returning Starters: 15: 8 Offense, 6 Defense, Kicker,

Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern and overall: 27-23, 4 years)

Offensive Coordinators: Mick McCall Defensive Coordinators: Mike Hankwltz

2010 Northwestern Players to Watch: QB Dan Persa. RB Arby Fields. WR Jeremy Ebert, DT Corbin Bryant. DE Vince Browne, OLB Quentin Davie

2010 Northwestern Strengths:
The system has proven to promote smooth transitions under center. Northwestern has enough skill players to continue adding layers to McCall’s spread offense. NU’s linebackers are very good, and the defensive line could surprise.

2010 Northwestern Weaknesses:
The secondary might be asoft spot throughout the season, especially if the pass rush doesn’t show up. To preserve the defense through November, top-to-bottom running game improvement is Priority lA.

2010 Northwestern Offense:

Northwestern asked Mike Kafka to throw 78 passes in its loss to Auburn in the Outback BowL That was extreme, yes. But also emblematic of the team’s predictably pass-heavy offense. The Wildcats believe the key to their 2010 success starts with improvement running the balL All five starters are back in the mix on the line, and the ‘Cats have several options at tailback, starting with diminutive Arby Fields and two juniors – fumbleprone Scott Concannon and Jake Schmidt. Of course, a more pressing question is how the team will fare with a new starting quarterback. Kafka graduated to the NFL. Subtracting the senior presents a multi-edged challenge for coordinator Mick McCalL Kafka was the team’s top rushing threat – though Fields led the team with 302 yards to Kafka’s 295 – and a team captain. Junior Dan Persa rushed for 167 yards last season and might be equally mobile. He’s not a strong-armed passer; accuracy and timing are his strengths, as displayed in cameos for the injured Kafka against Penn State and Iowa in 2009. The receiving corps is deep, led by Jeremy Ebert, who snagged 10 catches in the final two games last season and complements Sidney Stewart outside. Persa’s top target could easily be Drake Dunsmore. The tight end caught 47 passes, including three touchdown receptions last season, and his dual role as a lead blocker often leaves him uncovered in short yardage.

2010 Northwestern Defense:

Defensive end Corey Wootton, tackle Adam Hahn, cornerback Sherrick McManis, and safeties Brandon Smith and Brad Phillips – and their 196 combined career starts – must be replaced. Coach Pat Fitzgerald isn’t sweating. Why? Brian Peters played enough at safety as an injury fill-in that he could almost be considered a returning starter. Starting outside linebacker David Arnold went back to safety. McManis’ replacement could be Justan Vaughn, a projected starter before suffering a season-ending injury in 2008. Defensive tackle Corbin Bryant anchors a line that should have more speed – but that added dimension invites question about the front seven consistently stopping the run. All linebackers of note are back, including Quentin Davie, the team’s leading tackler, and middle linebacker Nate Williams.

2010 Northwestern Special Teams:

Fitzgerald might keep Stefan Demos focused on placekicking chores, but the punting decision will come down to how steady redshirt freshman Brandon Williams proves to be in Camp Kenosha. Demos can handle both jobs, but the Wildcats need to improve most facets of their coverage teams. Demos averaged just 35 yards per punt last season. With the glut of talent at running back, there’s optimism that the return game could also improve.

2010 Northwestern Predictions:

Northwestern lost three players to the NFL and hasn’t won a bowl game since 1949. This could be the year in which the Wildcats go from near-miss to postseason euphoria – in a middling bowl game. NU skips Michigan and Ohio State and plays a Charmin-soft non-conference schedule, which will pad the win total.

2010 Northwestern Betting Odds:

Northwestern Current odds to win a National Championship: 100-1

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