Lowes Line
Posted
10/10/14

 




 
Minnesota Preview and Prediction
 

By MO'Cats

Matchup:  Northwestern Wildcats (3-2, 2-0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-1, 1-0)
Date: Saturday, October 11th, 11:00 am CDT
TV: BTN
Line: Gophers (-4) o/u 43

Outlook:

Alright true believers, welcome to another edition of Northwestern Wildcat Football and the Lowes Line.  What a roller coaster it has been this season to be a Northwestern fan.  It is very hard to believe how this season has played out so far, but I believe that most people had this team at 3-2 after five games.  An opening loss to Cal shook the collective faith of the fan base, but an even more disappointing loss to the Huskies from directional Illinois was completely disheartening.  Suddenly, a bowl season seemed in doubt and many were questioning more than 3 wins this season.  Fitz began to feel some heat and a lackluster effort against Western and it felt even warmer.  Then something happened.  Was it the up/downs in the rain?  Was it Fitz calling out his players?  Who knows, but something did happen.  A convincing win in Happy Valley (when does a NU alum EVER get to write that phrase) brought some hope, and then Wisky came to town.  Wisconsin had not won in Evanston since 1999 but this year’s team is led by Heisman hopeful, Melvin Gordon.  Gordon did not disappoint and rushed for 259 yards and a touchdown.  READ THAT AGAIN.  Gordon rushed for 259 and a touchdown.  THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY NU WINS GIVEN THAT STATISTIC!!!!

Well, something happened, and the rest of the Wisconsin’s team did not have their best game.  Critical red zone turnovers and a stout NU defense (most of Gordon’s damage came on 3 runs) and NU proved victorious.  Final score 20-14.  Siemian did enough to win, throwing for 182 without a turnover.  Freshman Justin Jackson went 33-162, and Kyle Prater was the leading receiver.  Godwin Igwebuike (redshirt freshman) had three interceptions, earning himself star of the game honors in this writer’s eyes.  The ‘Cats are 2-0 in conference and sit atop the West Division of the B1G.

This week, the ‘Cats travel to Minnesota to face the Golden Gophers who are pulling out fresh new “golden helmets” rather than their standard helmets.  The Gophers are coming off a bye week after an impressive win at Michigan where they completely dismantled the Wolverines 30-14.  TCU (who is ranked as high as 9th in the AP) is the Gophers’ only loss this season as they destroyed the rest of their competition.  Similar to Wisconsin, the Gophers rely heavily on a running game led by senior David Cobb.  He gashed the Wolverines for 183 yds on 32 carries.  He is averaging 5.8 yds/carry so far this season.   Their QB play has been up and down secondary to their starter Mitch Leidner who has been battling injuries this season. Their defense has been stout and is the mainstay of their team alongside excellent special teams play.   The Gophers D has only allowed one score this season if the opponent starts within their own 25.  On the other hand, if the opponent can start on the Gophers side of the film, they score 7 of 8 times.  Hence, field position will be key. 

PICK: I’ve gone back and forth several times.  Which Wildcat team shows up this weekend??  The ‘Cats have the potential to be a better team than the Gophers, but are very young in several positions. The starting lineup is littered with So and Fr with names such as Walker, Igwebuike, Odenigbo, Harris and Jackson.  Road games are tough in the B1G.  If in doubt, take the home team.  23-21, Gophers.  Cats lose on a late field goal but cover the spread.  

Lowes Line Season Record:  Straight up, 1-4 (2-3 ATS)





The Lowes Line is an e-mailed description of NU's next football game, with an invariably fearless prediction of the outcome and how NU will fare against what the other "experts" predict.  Our good friend and Brother Marcus Lowes began the broadcast mailing in 1996.  The crack Lowes Line Staff (alumni Jersey Cat, GallopingGrapes, Eric Cockerill, Joel Kanvik, Charlie Simon, and MO'Cats) have continued the Line in memory of Marcus.  For the 2014 season it has returned to HailToPurple.com, for anyone to enjoy.  Thanks to the gridiron brain trust at the Lowes Line!