Matchup: Northwestern Wildcats (0-0) at Syracuse Orange (0-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 1, 11:00 am CDT
Where: Carrier Dome
TV: ESPN2
Line: NU (-1.5)
Outlook:
Welcome back
again to The Lowes Line for the 2012 season, where for a 14th year
we'll hopefully provide both an insightful and humorous weekly preview
of Northwestern football, akin to and in memory of that originally
provided by this column's namesake, Marcus Lowes.
This
game has been billed as the Battle of Journalism Schools,
Northwestern's Medill and Syracuse's S.I. Newhouse. Newhouse is
actually referred to as a “school of public communications.” To
use a technical journalistic term…whatever. No offense to Syracuse, but
Medill is not only a double digit favorite in this matchup, but they
also easily cover. We’ll give you Bob Costas, who emerges from his lair
every couple of years with an extra shot of Botox to host the Olympics,
and Mike Tirico, who does a very good job with ESPN’s coverage of
Monday Night Football and golf. But NU has ESPN Radio’s morning show
host, Mike Greenberg, PTI’s Michael Wilbon, the Trib’s Teddy
Greenstein, ESPN hoop analyst J.A. Adande, and of course, Mr. Twitter
himself, sports business reporter Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell). It’s
no contest. Medill produces professional sports journalists like the
Cubs produce meaningless Septembers.
As
we head into the 2012 Northwestern campaign, we NU fans are in an all
too familiar position...again entering the new season on the heels of
one that ended in disappointing fashion, a fourth consecutive bowl
loss. What to expect in 2012? It would be very easy to say more of the
same. An offense that should be able to move the ball, a strong
receiving corps, some questions at running back, concerns over the
defensive front. Sound familiar?
Aside from this week’s game at Syracuse,
the non-conference schedule includes the home opener next week under
the lights against Vanderbilt, along with home games with Boston
College and South Dakota, the FCS team on the slate. The conference
schedule has Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois coming to Evanston
while the ‘Cats visit Penn State, Minnesota, Michigan, and Michigan
State.
Let
me put on my Rose (Bowl) colored glasses and get completely ahead of
myself. This team could potentially start 7-0. There, I said it. When
did NU last start with seven Ws out of the gate? Put it this way: Not
only was Twitter not around, nor was the fax machine, the Internet, nor
color TV...1936. Depending on how Vandy deals with South Carolina in
their home opener this week, it’s not too crazy to think NU could
actually be a favorite in their first seven games: vs. Vandy, vs. BC,
vs. South Dakota, vs. Indy, at Penn State, at Minnesota. Seriously?
Undefeated in late October as Nebraska comes to Evanston for a game
that’s already sold out? We can dream, right? While NU usually manages
to lose a game they should win, and often tends to create at least one
upset along the way, we should all be very disappointed if this team is
worse than 7-5, and playing in a bowl for the fifth consecutive year.
One
of the more anticipated pieces of news surrounding the NU program in
the offseason was the transfer of WR Kyle Prater from Southern Cal. The
NCAA granted Prater immediate eligibility, and while Prater’s
time at USC was not the stuff of legend, given his limited catches and
a significant injury, it’s hard not to get at least somewhat excited at
the prospect of having a really big time playmaker on the field. Prater
was the # 1 WR coming out of high school at Proviso West in Maywood,
IL, and a physical specimen, standing 6-5 and weighing 215. He’s not
(yet) listed as a starter, as the ‘Cats are pretty deep at WR, with
senior Demetrius Fields and junior Rashad Lawrence leading the way, but
is expected to significantly contribute. What we wouldn’t give for a
jump ball fade pattern to the corner of the endzone for a TD.
Junior
Venric Mark has emerged as the starting running back. On the surface, I
think this is a great move. For too long already, we’ve been hearing
about how Mark “can break one at anytime”and is “a true speedster.” The
problem has been that his touches have been limited, the focus being on
kickoff and punt returns. His high for receptions in a game is two and
rushing attempts is four. Getting him more involved in the offense is a
logical and exciting next step. How will he handle the duties of a
starting running back in the Big Ten? Time will tell. Junior
Mike Trumpy is returning from ACL surgery as well so the jury is still
out on whether he’ll be a significant contributor out of the NU
backfield. I can assure NU fans that during this season you will be
uttering (screaming?) the following phrases at least once during a
Venric Mark rushing attempt: “It’s not a loaf of bread! Protect the
ball!” along with, “Get up...PLEASE get up!” following a solid hit to
the incredibly athletic but only 5-8 Mark.
All
eyes initially will be on junior Kain Colter, NU’s starting
quarterback, and leading passer, receiver, and rusher last season. Is
Colter going to be the QB needed to take advantage of what many experts
consider the best WR corps in the conference? It’s possible. Colter’s
ability to effectively run the ball has outshone his ability thus far
to throw it. The word on Colter is that his throwing has significantly
improved, but the best thing you can say about him is that he is
exciting, and sure to give opposing defensive coordinators fits. A true
triple threat like Colter gives the ‘Cats multiple options, including
making some use of sophomore QB Trevor Siemian on some plays while
keeping Colter engaged in the offensive gameplan. I wouldn't expect to
see Colter on the sidelines very often when the offense has the ball.
And you have to love the size of NU up front. The offensive line boasts
three seniors and has an average size of 6-5 plus and 307 lbs. This
unit is likely a bit underrated, but will need ensure Colter has time
to operate and keep the hits he takes to a minimum.
Defensively
for the ‘Cats, there’s room for improvement from the 2011 campaign,
which may be as big an understatement as saying LeBron James is mildly
unpopular in Cleveland. The defensive line produced 17 sacks in 13
games last year. To be blunt, that’s simply not going to cut it.
Without any significant pressure placed on opposing QBs, it could be a
long year for this squad. It may be the most critical unit on the team
to get the success this team is seeking. The linebackers are anchored by 5th year senior and captain David Nwabusi, along with 1stteam
All-Name returnee, Chi Chi Ariguzo, who will be selling his endorsement
services to the high bidder of Chipotle, Qdoba, or Taco Bell following
graduation. The secondary is led by Ibraheim Campbell, only a
sophomore, who might be the breakout star of this entire squad. He led
the team in tackles last year, and while that’s not a good metric for a
member of the secondary, this guy has a nose for the ball and has the
potential to be a big time playmaker.
All told, the ‘Cats
only return 11 starters from last year, and Coach Fitz has hinted that
as many as 10 sophomores or younger could be in the starting lineup
Saturday against the Orange. That could be the X-factor right there.
This team is young, but the freshman and sophomores playing for NU now
are not of the same caliber as the ones that used to see marshmallows
tossed around in the stands in Evanston.
On
to Syracuse, who finished a disappointing 5-7 last year, and are led by
fifth year senior QB Ryan Nassib. The passing game will likely be the
way that the 'Cuse come after NU, looking to take advantage of the
inexperienced secondary. Nassib isn't a QB that can tuck it and go like
Colter, but is a very accomplished passer, with 44 career TD passes.
His main targets are a pair of seniors, Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales,
and the NU secondary will have their hands full. The Orange running
game is not a strong suit, but Syracuse freshman Ashton Broyld, who
goes 6-4 and 230, is highly regarded and believed to be a playmaker.
He's big enough to inflict punishment on the NU defensive front, but
nimble enough to be a threat out of the backfield as well.
You've
likely heard about the comical irony of this game being played in a
dome named for an air conditioning company, the Carrier Dome, yet this
building does not have any air conditioning. Given the temperature in
Syracuse scheduled to be in the mid 80s, fitness could be an issue as
it's likely to be hot and sticky inside that crock pot of a stadium.
Look for the 'Cats to establish Colter's receiving targets early and
then proceed to get Venric Mark engaged on the ground. Syracuse will be
looking to throw early and often, with Nassib licking his chops based
on the video he surely saw of last year's ineptitude in the NU
secondary. I see NU's ground game being the difference here, moving the
ball more effectively than NU fans are used to.
Pick: Orange crushed... Northwestern 30, Syracuse 27. Take the ‘Cats and lay the points.
