College Football Pregame Primer: Northwestern Wildcats vs. Duke Blue Devils

PREGAME PRIMER

 Northwestern (1-0) at Duke (1-0)

Date: September 6, 2008

Location: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC

Game Time: 6:00 p.m. CT

On Air: 1160 AM

Line: Northwestern by 6.5

Northwestern can win if...

...the offensive line plays like it did against Syracuse last weekend, opening up holes for running back Tyrell Sutton to run through while also allowing quarterback CJ Bacher enough time to throw.

The Cats need to get wide receiver Eric Peterman more involved, as well. After only catching one pass against the Orange, Peterman was used as more of a decoy, with Sutton and the running game dominating early.

Mike Hankwitz’s defense needs to continue to blitz a majority of the time. Syracuse faced heavy pressure in the first game, and the results paid off for the Wildcats, putting eight points on the board by themselves. Safety Brendan Smith was able to return an interception for a touchdown and linebacker Quentin Davie forced an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone, good for the team’s first safety of the season.

The defense will also receive a huge boost Saturday, as star defensive tackle John Gill returns after serving his one-game suspension.

Northwestern will struggle if...

...it overlooks the Blue Devils for the second straight year. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald was more upset after the Duke loss last season than he was following the overtime defeat against Big Ten rival Michigan State.

Bacher must remember to take what the defense gives him and not force his throws. He was able to rebound from an early interception against Syracuse and resembled the offensive machine he was so often last season.

Coming off a blowout victory against James Madison under first-year head coach David Cutcliffe, the Blue Devils will try to establish their running game, which finished with 218 yards last week. Senior running back Clifford Harris had a 54-yard gain on one carry and Duke will be counting on more big plays from him. If Northwestern can’t contain Harris and the Duke no-huddle offense, it could be déjà vu all over again. 

Northwestern players to watch

Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert

Lining up in the slot position, Ebert should earn his second touchdown catch in as many games.

Wide receiver Ross Lane

Recorded nine receptions for 128 yards the last time these two teams met. Duke will likely double-team Eric Peterman, leaving Lane with some favorable one-on-one matchups. 

Defensive tackle John Gill

Returning from his one game suspension, Gill will show the nation why he is considered one of the top players at his position.

Duke players to watch

Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis

The mobile Lewis threw for three touchdowns against the Wildcats in the upset game last year, and had two more touchdown passes on Saturday. He hasn’t thrown an interception in his last 129 attempts, dating back to last season. Lewis can be erratic at times, and if Duke can’t get its running game going, he will likely hurry his progression at the line, resulting in turnovers.

Running back Clifford Harris

The 5'10", 220-pound tailback is the focal point of the Blue Devil’s offense and will be responsible for getting Duke on the scoreboard early.

Cornerback Jabari Marshall

One of the ACC’s top return men is one of Duke’s lone playmakers, proving it last week against James Madison with a 67-yard interception return.

Northwestern’s Last Game

Defeated Syracuse at home, 30-10.

Duke’s Last Game

Defeated James Madison at home, 31-7.

Most Telling Statistic

Before last Saturday’s game, Duke hadn’t won at home since 2005.

Prediction

This will be an over-analyzed game before the teams even take the field. There was absolutely no reason for the Wildcats to lose to the Blue Devils last season. The offense looked in mid-season form after the first quarter against Syracuse and will continue to put points on the board. The return of defensive tackle John Gill will be a major boost for the defense and will only add to the blitz packages implemented by Mike Hankwitz. 

If not for last season’s debacle, the Cats would be huge favorites for another blowout victory. As the long as this game gets played—with Hurricane Hanna looming—Northwestern should have no trouble reminding the less talented Blue Devils to stick to basketball.

—Northwestern 35, Duke 7