Northeastern Preview

It's almost time for NU football to get going again. The 2007 season starts out at home against the Huskies of Northwesteastern. This is a Josh Eats Birds family grudge match, because my cousin went to that other NU. So you know I'm bringing my A-game to Dyche on Saturday. My cousin may or may not be aware that the game is taking place.

This season, I'll be reducing my posts to a preview and a recap. I'll throw in random other posts too, approximately sometimes.

My half-penny analysis of NU-NU (heh):

• Northwestern's defensive line is outweighed by Northwesteastern's O-line by only 8 lbs on average. Expect them to get backfield pressure throughout the game without much blitzing.
• The ApostroCats front 5 on offense average almost 300 lbs, and outweigh the Huskies three defensive linemen by almost 50 lbs. Northwesteastern will bring blitzes from different locations, but if the Cats can pick those up, Bacher will have time to find open receivers.
• If the Cats get a lead, Sutton will see minimal carries, if he is still nursing a leg.

I'm not seeing a betting line for this game. Maybe they don't have them for FCS games? Anyway, I'm picking without that influence this week.

My pick: Northwestern 30, Northwesteastern 10

2007 Big Ten Predictions

So, last year, I slightly underrated Wisconsin and OSU, slightly overrated NU and vastly overrated Iowa. Let's see if I've learned any lessons (hint: probably not). Here are my predicted final standings and bowl berths for the Big Te(leve)n in 2007.

Big Ten Champs: Wisconsin
Coach of the Year: Bill Lynch (Indiana)
Northwestern? Champs Sports Bowl

             Big Ten  Overall
Wisconsin       7-1     11-1     Rose Bowl
Penn State      7-1     10-2     Capital One Bowl
Michigan        6-2     10-2     Outback Bowl
Ohio State      5-3     9-3      Alamo Bowl
Northwestern    4-4     8-4      Champs Sports Bowl
Indiana         4-4     8-4      Insight Bowl
Iowa            3-5     6-6      Motor City Bowl
Purdue          3-5     5-7
Michigan State  2-6     4-8
Minnesota       1-7     5-7
Illinois        1-7     4-8