Spartan Nation 2009 Football Scouting Report: Northwestern Wildcats
Spartan Nation 2009 Scouting Report: Northwestern Wildcats
Biggest Game: November 21, 2009 at Wisconsin
Predicted record: 7-5 (3-5)
Projected Big Ten standing: 7th
Returning Starters: 13 OFFENSE: 5 DEFENSE: 8 Lettermen returning: 48
Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald 4th Season @ Northwestern Last Season: 9-4 Lifetime:19-18
Top assistant: DC Mike Hankwitz
Number of Players on the All Spartan Nation Big Ten Team: One DE Corey Wootton
Analysis: I have said since he took the NW job that Fitzgerald was one of the best young coaches in America. I am not one for coaches with no head coaching experience getting Big Ten jobs, but this was one that it not only had to happen, it needed to.
He has done a great job of developing talent and brings great enthusiasm for the job. Fitzgerald’s record has gotten better every season while the head coach. I expect them to get back to a bowl this season, but just can’t see them getting to or topping last years nine wins.
Their star player is All Spartan Nation first team DE Corey Wootton who tore his ACL in their bowl game. If he is healthy and all things out of Evanston say he is, then he will be special. He may actually have fewer sacks, but that will be because he will draw double teams and that will free up his teammates for more success.
MSU is my passion, but I root for Northwestern when they aren’t playing the Spartans because I love the grit and the way they do it. If you looked at pure talent and compare their roster to everyone else in the conference, the fact that they compete is incredible. The academic standards are insanely tough, and the lack of facilities and fan base (not a rip on their fans, just not that many) means unless a kid grows up a Cat fan he will take an offer from almost any program with better options. That is not saying Northwestern lacks talent, because that isn’t true. They simply have to develop it more and spend the extra effort.
Predicted Win/Loss:
1.Towson WIN
2.Eastern Michigan WIN
3.at Syracuse WIN
4.Minnesota WIN
5.at Purdue LOSS
6.Miami, OH WIN
7.at Michigan State LOSS
8.Indiana WIN
9.Penn State LOSS
10.at Iowa LOSS
11.at Illinois LOSS
12.Wisconsin WIN
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