Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats managed to lose their 9th straight bowl game to close 2011 and enters 2012 with new staters and inexperience all over the board.
Kain Colter looks to finally have the starting quarterback job to himself despite leading the team in rushing and being in the top three for receiving yards last fall. USC transfer Kyle Prater appears to be the best weapon for Colter when he looks to the air. The situation at running back looks thin with Mike Trumpy returning from an ACL tear and a couple of true freshman behing him.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Wildcats introduce new starters at each level and their development will be key in determining if Northwestern can get back to the 9 win team that they were in Fitzgeralds 3rd season in Evanston. Brian Arnfelt and Will Hampton anchor a weak defensive line while Ifeadi Odenigbo moves to linebacker.
Northwestern opens at Syracuse before returning home to face Vandy. The Wildcats face their 3rd BCS conference foe in the first 3 weeks when they travel to Boston College. Two wins in this three game strech would be an excellent start to the season considering the youth on this roster. Northwestern does not play Ohio State or Wisconsin this season which makes the conference schedule a bit more managable.
PREDICTION-5-7 OVERALL, 3-5 CONFERENCE
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