Northwestern Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Northwestern Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 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 2011 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 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 7-6 Big 10 Record: 3- (T-7th) 2011 Returning Starters: 17: 9 offense. 7 defense, punter

Coach: Pat Fitzgerald, 34-29 (5 years)

Offensive Coordinators: Mick McCall Defensive Coordinators: Mike Hankwitz

2011 Northwestern Players to Watch: QB Dan Persa, WR Jeremy Ebert, TE Drake Dunsmore, LT Al Netter, C Ben Burkett, OE Vince Browne, CB Jordan Mabin, S Brian Peters

2011 Northwestern Strengths:
Northwestern returns all but one relevant skill player and all but one lineman from an offense that averaged 26.4 points. Persa is accurate and savvy and a winner. Ebert and Dunsmore combined for 13 touchdown catches. Browne is an All-Big Ten-caliber pass-rusher (seven sacks).

2011 Northwestern Weaknesses:
The defense approached sieve-like status during the final three games – and they must replace three of the top four guys in the front seven. Persa (ruptured Achilles’ tendon) is one of several returning starters who missed spring ball due to injury and must prove they’re 100 percent. The schedule features five road games against 2010 bowl teams.

2011 Northwestern Offense:

All-Big Ten quarterback Dan Persa will be at full strength for the season, a great sign for a team that fell apart after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in November. A healthy Persa combined with loads of experience at wide receiver and offensive line could make Northwestern one of the Big Ten’s top offenses in 2011. The big unknown is whether the Wildcats can complement Persa with a rushing attack, the team’s biggest shortcoming in coach Pat Fitzgerald’s tenure. One of the nation’s most accurate passers, Persa will have plenty of options at his disposal, namely All-Big Ten receiver Jeremy Ebert and tight end Drake Dunsmore, an NFL prospect. Northwestern returns a combined 130 career starts along the offensive line, and it’s time for the group to meet expectations and spark the rushing attack. Offensive coordinator Mick McCall wants to settle on a featured running back, and sophomore Mike Trumpy has the inside track. Trumpy showed flashes during Big Ten play last fall and has matured in the role. Adonis Smith also is in the mix. Northwestern produced 1,000-yard rushers from 2002-06 but since has failed to do so.

2011 Northwestern Defense:

Finish is the theme for a unit that struggled both at the end of games and at the end of the season in 2010. Although the final three games skewed the stats, Northwestern ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten in most major defensive categories. The Wildcats need more reliable contributors to emerge, particularly in the front seven. The line returns three starters but must build better depth. End Vince Browne put up impressive numbers a year ago (seven sacks, 15.5 tackles for a loss) and should contend for postseason honors. If Jack DiNardo, Niko Mafuli and others can shore up the interior and another pass-rusher or two emerges, the line could thrive. Northwestern loses two multi-year starters at linebacker. It needs Bryce McNaul to stay healthy and others, like David Nwabuisi and Roderick Goodlow, to step up. The secondary could be the unit’s strength. Cornerback Jordan Mabin enters his fourth season as a starter, and safeties Brian Peters and David Arnold both bring experience. Northwestern needs a big year from cornerback Jeravin Matthews and continued playmaking from Mabin and Peters, but the bar should be raised.

2011 Northwestern Special Teams:

Pocket-sized Ventic Mark proved to be king-sized threat in Northwestern’s regular season finale when he piled up a school record 273 kick return yards, which included a 94-yard touchdown. He’ll also return punts. Sophomore punter Brandon Williams (40.0-yard average) is solid. Sophmore Jeff Budzien and junior walk-on Steve Flaherty will continue their placekicking battle in fall camp.

2011 Northwestern Football Schedule | Northwestern Football Sportsbooks

2011 Northwestern Predictions:

Last season, Northwestern unravelled after Persa’s injury and also blew big leads in losses to Michigan State and Penn State. This year, the non-conference schedule could be tricky with trips to Boston College and Army, but the Cats catch some breaks in their Big Ten slate by missing both Ohio State and Wisconsin. If Northwestern can start strong and make it through a tough stretch from early October to early November, it could enter the stretch run with a chance to make some noise in the Legends Division.

2011 Northwestern Betting Odds:

Northwestern Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000

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