Thoughts on: SIU

This week marks Northwestern's now-annual game against a team from the FCS.  The opponents this time around are the Salukis of Southern Illinois.  Hopefully, last year's opening shutout of Northwesteastern means that the team and coaching staff has learned lesson from 2006's loss to New Hampshire.  SIU is a very good team in their division, and has had lots of success over the years.

That doesn't mean we can't take advantage of some things.  In their season-opening win over Hampton, SIU gave up over 400 yards through the air -- albeit while grabbing 3 picks.  The ApostroCats have been picking around the edges of a deep and balanced passing attack for two games, and this could be the first time C.J. goes big.  I abhor the pass-to-set-up-the-run philosophy, but I think this is a good week for both phases of our offense to mesh and support each other.

Who's gotta come up big for the Wildcats?

• C.J. Bachér - I didn't get to see last weeks game, but it sounded like the accuracy wasn't quite there in NU's passing game.  To get a statement win, we'll need big points and that all starts at QB.

• Tyrell Sutton - Wouldn't usually choose two offensive players, but this feeds directly from my last statement.  We need to show that we're lots better than a top-tier FCS program.  I'd really like to see a standout performance from our featured back here, before the first quarter of the season is over.

• Jordan Mabin - The freshman DB has earned a start this week, and he needs to come up big.  Coach Fitz thinks very highly of him, and an all-around defensive performance is necessary to make a nice-looking win.

Let's go Cats!