Matchup:  Western Illinois Leathernecks at Northwestern Wildcats

Date: Saturday, September 20, 11:00 am CDT

TV: ESPNEWS?? Really?

Line: Northwestern (no official line but estimated to be NU minus 24)

 

Outlook:

From the last Lowes Line:

Takeaway:  Things need to turn around quickly.  It’s gut check time.  A loss to NIU would mean a lost season for two reasons:  a six win season would be next to impossible, and NU is a mediocre team at best.

Mediocre is looking real good right now as the 'Cats are not good.  In fact they are bad.  Bad in the Huey Lewis and the News "Bad is Bad" kind of way.  I mean really bad.

There is not much good to report from NU's 23-15 loss to Northern Illinois on Sept. 6.  The offensive line was terrible as they committed more holding penalties than I care to remember.  The play calling did not improve as we never found a rhythm, and when it appeared the O line was over matched nothing was done to help them.  Why the heck don't we use the standard screen pass?!?!?!?  Siemian continues to look like the game is moving too fast for him.  He is hesitant in his decision making and off target with his throws.  The receivers are not helping as they continue to drop or bobble as many balls as they catch.  And incredibly we continue to not try to advance or even field punts! 

The NU defense has been average.  Not much bad to report but not much good either.  Both Cal and NIU had one dimensional offenses, but they still were not stopped by the 'Cats.

It has been difficult to watch the 2014 version of the Northwestern Wildcats.  All the things Wildcat fans take pride in (working harder than the opponent, high energy, wise decision making, exciting offense, and a team that rallies when they are down) seem to be missing this year.  The 2014 Wildcats look eerily similar to the Wildcats from the Francis Peay era.  The difference is now there is an expectation to win. Yes, Gary Barnett, we Expect Victory.    In the early 90's any victory was a great thing and was relished.  As Barnett arrived, we found that we actually could win a few games a year and on occasion compete with the big boys.  During Randy Walker's tenure I thought I had NU figured out.  Over a 5 year period NU would go 3-8, 6-6, 8-3, 6-6, 3-8, repeat.  I was happy when NU was 6-6 and would squeak into a Pizza Bowl in the Motor City.  Then as Fitz came along NU's record started to improve.  6,7 win seasons were common, and the 'Cats started to look like contenders. 8, 9, and even a 10 win season ensued.  6 wins per year was no longer enough.  I expected us to pick up 3 non-conference wins, always beat Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue.  I expected us to split with Iowa and Nebraska, and compete with Wisc., OSU, and Michigan.  NU is supposedly recruiting so much better, that now 7-8 wins per season is expected.  This year those expectations are crashing down. 

I don't know what the 'Cats will look like on Saturday.  I would like to think that with a few obvious changes they could be a decent team but I don't trust myself anymore.  I have had the purple tinted glasses on for too long.  I don't see ANY difference makers on either side of the ball for the 'Cats.  I don't see anyone for the opposing team to fear, so I don't have much hope.  The thing that bugs me though is that previous NU teams succeeded, on some level, without any stars.  Why can't this team?  My hope for Saturday is that NU, win or lose, will be fun to watch and make me proud to be a NU alum.  I want to see high energy.  I want to see risks being taken.  I want to see emotion and not the kind that punches another player at the end of the game.  I want to see something that shows me the coaches can actually, you know, coach.  And dammit, I want to see them return a punt.

Pick:  The Cats win, but not by 24.  Take the Leathernecks with the points.  Northwestern 30, WIU 17.

Lowes Line Season Record:  0-2 (1-1 ATS)

#GoCats