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2010 Northwestern Football Predictions

Northwestern heads into the 2010 season off their second consecutive winning season

, as the Wildcats backed up their 9-5 finish in 2008 with a solid 8-5 run in 2009. The Wildcats nearly matched their nine win mark, but lost a close game against Auburn in the Outback Bowl. The Wildcats were an impressive 5-3 in Big Ten play last year, good enough for a fourth place finish. This year the Wildcats have just 13 starters back, but still figure to have a solid shot at making a postseason bowl game. Check out what the Wildcats will sent to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my thoughts on where they will finish the year in the Big Ten.

Offense:

It is going to be interesting to see what kind of production the Wildcats get out of the quarterback position now that Mike Kafka is gone. Kafka was a huge part of the offense with both his arms and his legs in 2009, as he threw for 3,430 yards and 16 touchdowns, plus added 295 yards and a team best eight rushing touchdowns. Junior Dan Persa is expected to take over the starting job in 2010, and while he likely won't put up the same numbers, he should be a solid replacement.

The Wildcats do bring back sophomore running back Arby Fields, who had a pretty solid freshman season running for 302 yards and five scores, but without Kafka to add to the ground game, the Wildcats are going to need a much bigger season out of Fields if they are going to compete in the Big Ten.


The Wildcats also take a bit of a hit in the passing game, as they lose their top two threats from the 2009 season, but do return starters Sidney Stewart and Drake Dunsmore. Look for junior Jeremy Ebert and sophomore Demetrius Fields to step in at the two open spots, but their production will greatly depend on what kind of production Persa gives them at quarterback.

The Wildcats should show some nice improvements up front on the offensive line, as they return four starters from the 2009 season. Junior left tackle Al Netter is a solid Big Ten tackle, and he should end up being one of the top in the conference before he is done. The only switch this unit will have to make is at right tackle, where sophomore Patrick Ward is expected to find his way into the starting lineup.

Defense:

The Wildcats have had eight starters back on the defensive line for the last three seasons, so it will be interesting to see how they do with only six back in 2010. Up front they return senior defensive tackle Corbin Bryant and one of the top defensive ends in the conference in junior Vince Brown. Sophomore Quentin Williams is the likely new starter at the other defensive end spot, while junior Nike Mafuli is expected to join Bryant in the middle at the other tackle spot.

The Wildcats will bring back the same three linebackers that started the 2009 season, so they should show some nice improvements if everyone can stay healthy. Senior outside linebacker Quentin Davie led the team with 90 tackles and five sacks, and should be one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten this season.

Northwestern has just one starter back in the defensive backfield in junior corner Jordan Mabin, making this unit a big concern heading into the 2010 season. Senior Justin Vaughn is expected to step in at the other corner spot, while juniors Brian Peters and David Arnold take over at the two safety spots.

Big Ten Prediction 6th: A big reason why the Wildcats should get back into postseason play, is the fact that they have a very easy schedule to start the season and could very easily start the season 6-0, as they get Purdue and Minnesota as their first two conference games. I think when it is all said and done, the Wildcats will finish the year right around the 7-5 mark.


For a complete look at how the Big Ten will finish up this season, check out our 2010 Big Ten Predictions.

If you are looking to make some money betting the college football odds this season, be sure to check out our expert college football picks each week.

2010 Northwestern Football Predictions

By: Jack Jones
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