Northwestern Wildcats 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: Northwestern won 10 games last season, including a win over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl, but that win may have been costly, as Clayton Thorson, the prized starting QB, blew his ACL in that win. We don't yet know whether or not he will be ready to go when the season starts at Purdue on 8/30, and if he isn't available, things could look very differently indeed for the Wildcats to start the season, and 10 wins may be a dream that cannot be attained by reality. The Wildcats have tons of questions on both sides of the football, so 10 wins may not be a reality in any event.
Breakdown Offense: So much success really depends on the knee of Thorson, who passed for 2844 yards and 15 TDs last fall, while completing 60.4% of his passes. He is not the perfect QB, as he also tossed 12 INTs, but he added 8 short yardage TDs last fall, and losing that production will hurt the offense overall, especially when you consider who replaces him, as the options are a walk on in TJ Green, a sophomore in Aidan Smith, and a RS freshman in Andrew Marty. Green is the most experienced of that group, with all of one passing attempt in a college game.
Justin Jackson is gone, and will be replaced by Jeremy Larkin, but it is a big set of shoes to replace, as Jackson was one of 9 college RBs all time to rush for 1000 yards in 4 different seasons. Larkin ran for 503 yards and 5 scores, and averaged 5.99 yards per carry as the understudy. Sophomore Jesse Brown is the most experienced back after Larkin, and he carried all of 9 times last fall. Projected talent is one thing, and this roster has some, but experience is quite another, and this group is lacking. John Moten IV carried just 17 times.
Flynn Nagel and Bennett Skowronek are back to start at WR, while Solomon Vault is penciled in as the starting 3rd receiver. Skowronek led the team with 644 yards and 5 scores, while Nagel led the team with 48 receptions. Vault missed all of last season due to injury. Jace James caught 3 passes as a freshman last fall, but will be asked to add depth. Jelani Roberts and Riley Lees are also back, but neither caught a pass last season.
Cameron Green caught 20 passes last fall, and will likely start at SB.
The line should be the most solid part of the offense in 2018, as 4 starters return in Blake Hance (LT), JB Butler (LG), Tommy Doles(RG), and Rashawn Sister (RT). Jared Thomas is penciled in as the new starter at C, and if Thorson is not available, this could be problematic, as they would have a new starter at C working with inexperienced QBs. Jesse Meyler adds depth at Tackle, while Cam Kolwich and Nik Urban are the key backups at OG. There is little depth at C.
Breakdown Defense: Mike Hankwitz's defense excelled last fall in most areas, finishing 20th in scoring defense, 9th against the run, and 34th in total defense. One area that fell well short was passing defense, where the Wildcats ranked just 100th. That will be an issue when you consider that only one starter returns in the secondary in CB Montre Hartage. Hartage did manage to finish with 7 PBUs last season, and he recorded 3 INTs, good for 2nd on the team. He also added 57 tackles. Trae Williams is projected to start opposite him. He totaled 3 PBUs as a sophomore last season in 11 games played. Alonzo Mayo projects as the 3rd CB, but there is little experience or depth behind him.
Both Safeties must be replaced. Jared McGee and JR Pace are penciled in to start. McGee played in 12 games as a junior last season, while Pace totaled 12 games as a freshman and picked off 2 passes. Again, depth is thin.
The defensive line got a real break, as all 4 starters return in DE Joe Gaziano, DE Samdup Miller, DT Alex Miller, and DT Jordan Thompson. Gaziano finished 2nd on the team with 12.5 TFLs last season, and he added 9 sacks, which led the team. He totaled 36 tackles, 5 PBUs, 12 QB hurries, and 4 forced fumbles. Miller was also outstanding, finishing with 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 32 tackles, one PBU, and 4 QB hurries. Alex Miller totaled 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 22 tackles, 5 PBUs, and 3 QB hurries. Thompson totaled 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 26 tackles, one PBU, 4 QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
Trent Goens and Fred Wyatt add depth inside and out, while Ben Oxley brings additional depth. This should be one of the better DL units in the Big 10.
Paddy Fisher is the leader of the defense at MLB. He finished with 113 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 PBUs, 2 QB hurries, and 4 forced fumbles. He is joined by returning starter Nate Hall at SLB. Hall totaled 79 tackles, a team leading 16.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 6 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries last season. Blake Gallagher projects to be the new starter at WLB. He finished with 33 tackles as a freshman last fall. Nathan Fox totaled 11 tackles last season, and is the only real experienced depth left over.
Breakdown Special Teams: Charlie Kuhbander had a solid freshman season at PK, hitting 13/16 FG attempts. He also finished 43/44 on PATs. He will once again handle the job.
Daniel Kubiuk is the Punter this season with the departure of Hunter Niswander, who averaged over 43 yards per punt last fall.
Lees and Moten return as the KR guys, but did not blow the door off last season. Lees is solid on PR duty, averaging 9.75 yards per return.
Final Ananlysis: Making another 7-2 run in Big 10 play seems a bit of a stretch for the Wildcats in 2018, especially if Thorson cannot go early in the season. Larkin has to prove himself at RB, and the receivers do not bring a big play feel to the offense as is. Thorson is hardly perfect, but is better than what else is available by miles. The defense should be rock solid in the front 7, but the secondary could get beaten, but you should expect some improvement in that unit based on talent. Of course, depth, across the board, is not great. Expecting another 10 win season in 2018 would be pure folly, but another bowl should be in reach, but only if those questions on offense get answered.
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