Northwestern: with Special Guest "Lake the Posts!"

Note from the Editor:
Apparently, I did alright in my initial assessment of Northwestern last week, which is to say that I didn't piss off Lake the Posts enough to stop them from weighing in on a ridiculously early preview. Lake the Posts, for those uninitiated, is an excellent Northwestern blog. You know you're doing something right when the mothership (aka EDSBS) asks you to do a guest spot - and Lake the Posts been doing those things right for a long time now. Please add them to your daily reading if they are not already there.

B2

One thing the media will harp on that is ridiculously off base:
Fitz' lack of experience. Yes, he is the youngest DI coach, but now in his third year, he has a new offensive coordinator, Mick McCall from Bowling Green and a new defensive coordinator, Mike Hankwitz, from Wisconsin, along with a new defensive line coach. These are all of Fitz' guys, and with a senior-laden team at every key skill position, there are no excuses in 2008. This is the "every 3-4 years Northwestern threatens the upper tier of the Big Ten" year.

One thing the media will completely ignore that is integral to this team's success:
Northwestern's kick coverage teams. We were horrible last year and spotted teams 10-20 yard advantages based on a combo of bad kickoffs and bad fundamentals on coverage. [Ed - Special Teams always gets the shaft. Sincerely, ex-special teams guy...]

Most important contributors on each side of the ball:
Tyrell Sutton on offense. The heart and soul of the team and former Big Ten Freshman of the Year has been hurt much of the last two seasons. He somehow is flying way under the radar this season, and if he stays healthy will be the most significant contributor to reducing Bacher's INTs.


Area that scares you as an opponent:
Every time we have the ball, we believe we can score. Our return to the no huddle should have defensive coordinators shaking and our depth at WR and RB make the only question mark is our young offensive line - we've got 2 guys who have yet to take their first collegiate snap in game action. However, the depth of weaponry and Bacher's anticipated improvement under the tutelage of QB-friendly OC, Mick McCall are a recipe for converting all of the gaudy offensive yardage stats into actual points.

Area that makes you salivate as an opponent:
Our defense, in particular defensive end. We are placing a ton of stock in Mike Hankwitz' (DC) ability to inject instant pass rush results into what has been nearly a decade of ineptitude under former DC, Greg Colby. Considering it is essentially the same personnel as last season, we'll know relatively quickly.

Random factor that you think will come into play this season:
This is a tad ridiculous, but I've noticed that only one coach in the post WWII era has been above .500 at anytime after his second season. Fitz is four games under .500 and will be flirting with this crazy karma after what hopes to be the first non-conference sweep in 44 years. Both streaks have a chance to be snapped in 2008.

Overall Record: 8-4 (5-3)
Final Big Ten Standing: Fifth
Bowl Destination: Champs Sports Bowl (Orlando)