The Northwestern Wildcats: Purple Haze Or Purple Daze?

On a sun-soaked, 80 degree October afternoon in Evanston, IL, the Northwestern faithful gathered in what was deemed “The Purple Haze,” as fans of all shapes and sizes came out clothed entirely in purple and represented their first 5-0 football team in 46 years.

With Michigan and Illinois suffering upsets before the Wildcats even took the field Saturday, the opportunity to take control of a now wide-open Big Ten conference and prove the critics wrong was ripe for the taking.

Despite what was happening around the country, head coach Pat Fitzgerald had only one goal on his mind: stopping Spartan running back and Heisman candidate Javon Ringer. 

The nation’s second leading rusher heading into the game (and the nation's leader after) was going to be counted on early and often, yet NU defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz had his defense ready, loading the box with eight-man fronts on almost every play.

If Michigan State was going to give the Wildcats their first loss, it would have to be through the air.

The best way for the Wildcats to prove all those critics wrong was to show up against Ringer and the No. 23 Spartans, playing the same way they played the rest of their watered-down foes. 

After 60 minutes of subpar play resulting in a deflating 37-20 loss, one can begin to come to conclusions on the Wildcats and if they are truly in a Purple Haze or a misleading Purple Daze.

Quarterback

C.J. Bacher tends to play Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at times, but he does have he ability to run when needed (107 yards rushing).  He threw two costly interceptions before halftime though, allowing the Spartans to jump out to a 24-7 lead and forcing the Wildcats into comeback mode for the remainder of the game. 

He turns the ball over too much (six interceptions on the year) and has never been able to grasp the reality that he needs to be a game manager.  Whenever Northwestern needs a big play or a quick score, Bacher may have the arm, but he doesn’t have the head.

Decision: Purple Daze

Defensive line

The attacking and aggressive unit led by defensive end Corey Wootton and defensive tackle John Gill are a legitimate force to be reckoned with (6.5 sacks combined).  Wootton continued his break-out season Saturday, sacking MSU quarterback Brian Hoyer twice and forcing him to limp off the field at one point in the first quarter.

Decision: Purple Haze

Linebackers

Ringer isn't the nation's leading rusher after six weeks for nothing.  He made Northwestern’s veteran linebackers look flat-out overmatched, running for 124 yards and scoring twice and critical moments in the game.  Against Southern Illinois in week three, the Wildcats held speedy running back Larry Warner to only 58 yards rushing.  However, with Ringer in the backfield, they either decided to take the day off or were impostors to begin with.

Decision: Purple Daze

Running back

What more can you say about Tyrell Sutton?  The Wildcats might not have a single win without his game-breaking ability on the field and his high character personality off it.  Against Michigan State, Sutton set a personal best with a 66-yard run in the third quarter that eventually led to a Bacher touchdown pass.  Northwestern’s second all-time leader in total yards, Sutton is the heart and soul of the Wildcats and has proven he can dominate against any form of competition.

Decision: Purple Haze

Offensive line

Offensive coordinator Mick McCall was forced to put this jigsaw puzzle together, and so far, the pieces all seem to be fitting.  Senior Keegan Kennedy, a former defensive tackle, has been impressive at guard, opening holes for the play-making Sutton (623 yards rushing).  Bacher has benefited as well, having more than enough time to throw, while being sacked only three times all season.  The Spartans' defensive line didn’t pose much of a threat against these big boys, and their success will likely continue as there has been no sign of letting up.

Decision: Purple Haze

Defensive backs

The Wildcat secondary must have a fondness for Sportscenter’s “Top 10 Plays” because they seem to be the ones on the opposite end of a majority of them.  No matter who is under center, a productive day usually ensues, taking advantage of Northwestern’s trend of biting on play-action fakes that lead to big plays all over the field.  MSU’s Hoyer has a good arm, but the Wildcats made him look like the second coming of former Spartan great Jeff Smoker, failing to intercept him and force a single turnover.

Decision: Purple Daze

Special teams

Allowing a 50-yard return on the opening kick to Michigan State is one way to make a statement.  Follow that up by allowing a 20-yard punt return and then fumbling their own punt is just plain pathetic.  The Wildcats allowed an eye-shattering 137 return yards on a mere five kicks.  Their own kicking game played poorly as well.  Sure, place-kicker Amado Villarreal has been extremely dependable through six games (11/13, 84.6%), but the coverage unit doesn’t belong in the Big Ten at all.

Decision: Purple Daze    

Coaching

McCall has been somewhat of a disappointment in his play calling after these first six games.  The Wildcats are becoming more and more predictable, as their not-so-secret quick screen pass seems to be the only play they ever call.  

The Spartans were able to sniff out most of those screens, and at one point almost knocked wide receiver Eric Peterman unconscious with a hit that would have won NFL Countdown’s weekly “Jacked-Up” list.

For Northwestern to prevail against future opponents like Ohio State and Illinois, McCall has to tweak a few of his plays before some of his players begin to get hurt.

On the other hand, no one is a better leader and motivator than Pat Fitzgerald.  The former All-American linebacker himself has been through all of the same situations his players have and can relate to what they must deal with both on and off the field.

Big name coaches like Ohio State’s Jim Tressel and Penn State’s Joe Paterno have earned their place atop the conference, but Fitzgerald has showed he could be the next one to cement his place among them. 

Despite the loss to the Spartans, Fitzgerald will be able to erase any doubt in his players’ minds that they aren’t for real.  During the post-game press conference, Fitzgerald used the term “flush” to describe how his players will erase any memory of this game from their minds.  Look for the Wildcats to come out inspired and ready against Purdue next weekend.

Decision: Purple Haze

Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune