Pregame Primer
Ohio (0-3) at Northwestern (3-0)
Date: Sept. 20, 2008
Location: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL
Game Time: 11:00 am CT
On Air: Big Ten Network, 720 AM
Line: Northwestern by 10.5
Northwestern can win if…
…they remember what this team did against Ohio State. Despite the Bobcat’s winless record, they have actually led in two of their last three games. The Wildcats are more talented on both sides of the ball and have no excuse to make this a close game.
Northwestern’s defense will be the story this weekend, as turnovers will be aplenty for many of Mike Hankwitz’s troops. If the Wildcats apply the pressure early, this could become a rout.
Quarterback C.J. Bacher went interception-less for the second straight game last week and hasn’t thrown a pick since the first quarter of the Syracuse game.
However, he also didn’t record a single touchdown against a weak Southern Illinois secondary, albeit in monsoon-like weather. Obviously the conditions played a factor, but Bacher is one of the most prolific passers in the conference.
Offensive coordinator Mick McCall will likely call his quarterback’s number several times on Saturday, both through the air and with the option run. With Ohio’s defense focused on shutting down running back Tyrell Sutton, Bacher has no excuse to not light them up.
Northwestern will struggle if…
…someone significant gets hurt. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald has kept his team surprisingly healthy so far, but an injury to one of the skill position players—such as Sutton or Bacher—could spiral the team toward the abyss.
The Ohio offense has gotten solid production from the quarterback position, as starter Franshaw “Boo” Jackson se a school record last weekend with 413 total yards against Central Michigan.
Wildcat safety Brendan Smith needs to keep his defensive backfield mates from giving up the big play, which was a glaring problem during their win over Southern Illinois.
The interception-free version of Bacher has been a pleasant surprise in Evanston, but where did all the touchdowns go? The stable Bacher has only three of them in as many games and will need to morph into the offensive machine he can be if the Wildcats are to keep up with their upcoming competition.
Earlier this week, Bacher responded to the recent lack of big plays by the offense: “...big plays will happen. We have enough athletes at receiver and running back that a short pass can turn into a big play." The way Sutton is playing so far this season, he has a point (pun intended).
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