Written by T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Week Ten Preview: Northwestern Wildcats
After two very difficult road games (at Maryland and at Nebraska), IU returns home for another crossover game. On November 2, the Hoosiers begin the final month of the regular season by welcoming the defending Big Ten West champion Northwestern Wildcats to Bloomington. This will be the last game before Indiana’s final bye week and the Hoosiers could really use a win heading into the final three contests of the campaign. The Hoosiers and Wildcats last played in 2016 with Northwestern beating Kevin Wilson’s final squad 24-14. Northwestern has won five in a row against Indiana and the last time the Hoosiers knocked off the Wildcats was a 2008 win in Bloomington (21-19 on October 25).
Week Ten: Northwestern Wildcats
Date & Time: Saturday, November 2, Time: TBA
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
TV: TBA
Wildcats at a Glance
Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
Entering his 14th season as a head coach, 14th season at Northwestern
Overall Record (all at Northwestern): 96-70
Last Season: 9-5 (8-1 in B1G)
Wildcats Returning Leaders
Passing: TJ Green (20-36 for 169 yards)
Rushing: Isaiah Bowser (866 yards on 197 carries with six TDs)
Receiving: Bennett Skowronek (45 catches for 562 yards with three TDs)
Tackles: Blake Gallagher (127 tackles)
Wildcats Preseason Predictions
Athlon’s: 4th in the Big Ten West
Lindy’s: 4th in the Big Ten West
Phil Steele:T-4th in the Big Ten West
Street & Smith’s: 4th in the Big Ten West
S&P+ Projections: 5.5 wins (57th nation)
Impact Newcomers for the Wildcats
1. Hunter Johnson – QB – The former five-star prospect from Indiana knew he wasn’t going to be playing in front of Trevor Lawrence at Clemson. Before last season began, Johnson opted to transfer back to the Midwest and chose Northwestern as his new school. He is 6’2” and more than 200 pounds. It is highly likely that he will be QB1 for the Wildcats over returning contributor TJ Green.
2. Genson Hooper-Price – WR – The freshman from Houston was a borderline four-star prospect that is 6’4” and looks physically to contribute. The Wildcats have a fairly deep receiving corps with Bennett Skowronek and Riley Lees leading the way but Hooper-Price will have the chance to break into the rotation.
3. Khalid Jones II – LB – Northwestern has two outstanding linebackers but they are going to be searching for a third piece to play in the middle of Blake Gallagher and Paddy Fisher. Redshirt freshman Khalid Jones might just be that guy. He was the one of their top recruits in 2018 and is just shy of 230 pounds.
Offensive Preview
Despite going 8-1 in the Big Ten and winning the West division, the 2018 Northwestern offense was not impressive. The Wildcats were 108th in total offense and 100th in scoring. They were not particularly good through the air or on the ground (finishing last in the Big Ten in rushing). They will hope that new quarterback Hunter Johnson will spark life into the attack. The former Clemson Tiger is now in Evanston and it is very likely he’ll take over as the starter for the departed Clayton Thorson. TJ Green saw some spot duty last season but Johnson has a much higher ceiling. The former 5-star prospect can hurt opponents with his legs and with his arm but we have yet to see him in extended action at the college level so the position remains a bit of a question mark until it can actually be proven on the field. Johnson will be paired with tailback Isaiah Bowser, one of the more impressive offensive players in the second half of the 2018 Big Ten season. He finished shy of 1,000 yards but his workload was very small until he took over for Jeremy Larkin (retired) a few games into the season. Bowser is a dangerous weapon and the Wildcats also have veteran John Moten IV. Bennett Skowronek leads a deep receivers group but they will miss top target Flynn Nagel. Riley Lees, Kyric McGowan and freshmen Genson Hooper-Price and Brycen Kirtz provide depth but I think questioning if there are real difference makers is fair. Superback is a major concern after the early retirement of Cameron Green, the team’s third-leading receiver in 2018.
The biggest issue for the offense is on the offensive line. They allowed the most sacks in the conference in 2018 (36) and now have to replace three starters and their long-time position coach (who is now the head coach of IU opponent Eastern Illinois). Rashawn Slater is really good and he’s switching from right tackle to left tackle and they bring back their center but Northwestern will need several inexperienced linemen to step up.
Defensive Preview
The strength of the Northwestern Wildcats should continue to be the defense. The Wildcats have a pair of stars at linebacker and a terrific defensive end in Joe Gaziano plus a veteran secondary and good depth. Northwestern is 15-1 in their past 16 Big Ten West games and the success can largely be attributed to the defense (and being highly efficient in the red zone). In addition to Joe Gaziano, Samdup and Alex Miller (brothers) and possibly Jake Saunders. The weak spot is likely to be the interior and whether or not the Wildcats can successfully stop the run. If the middle of the line can be adequate, it will give the terrific linebackers the opportunity to shine. Paddy Fisher and Blake Gallagher (the Big Ten’s leading tackler in 2018) play on the outside and form one of the best duos in the country. Chris Bergin and redshirt freshman Khalid Jones will battle for the middle linebacker spot. The secondary has to replace a pair of starters, including All-Big Ten corner Montre Hartage but they do have quite a bit of experience returning. Safety JR Pace is the best of the unit and a number of corners have gotten snaps.
Special Teams Preview
Charlie Kuhbander was hurt for part of 2018 but he should be ready to go for the 2019 season and he’ll be the kicker and punter for the Wildcats. The return game doesn’t figure to be much of a factor for Northwestern but Riley Lees is likely the returner.
