Northwestern Wildcats 2010 College Football Predictions – BCS Odds 2011: The Northwestern University Wildcats 2010 football team is returning eight starters on offense and six on defense from a team that finished 8-4 in 2009 and battled Auburn in the Outback Bowl last New Years Day, losing 38-35 in overtime. It seems that fifth year head coach Pat Fitzgerald really has the Wildcats football program headed in the right direction and has back to back bowl appearances to show for it. Fitzgerald has guided the Wildcats to 17 wins the past two seasons.
While the Wildcats have been impressive on the field with two straight winning seasons, odds makers at Sportsbook.com do not give the team much chance of winning a national championship, listing the team on the BCS Championship board at +50000 odds or 500-to-1.
Northwestern returns a number of key performers on both sides of the ball; its entire offensive line led by tackle Al Netter, wide receivers Sidney Stewart, Demetrius Fields and Jeremy Ebert, super-back Drake Dunsmore, defensive tackle Corbin Bryant, defensive end Vince Browne, linebackers Quentin Davie and Nate Williams, and cornerback Jordan Mabin.
The Wildcats' biggest off season questions come at quarterback, where Dan Persa is set to assume the duties; on the defensive line, where two starters must be replaced; and in the secondary, where three starters have graduated.
"Without question, the strength of our program right now is the great depth that we have," said Fitzgerald prior to spring drills. "That attribute lends itself to tremendous competition in practice, so I'm anxious to watch our players compete."
Northwestern might not be ready to overtake Ohio State as the beast of the BIG TEN, but they should find their way back to the bowl season in 2010-11. The Wildcats have a great chance of going 6-0 against Vanderbilt (road), Illinois State (home), at Rice, Central Michigan (home), at Minnesota and home with Purdue. The second half of the season looks to be more difficult with Michigan State visiting for Homecoming, a visit to Penn State after hosting Indiana, then Iowa and Illinois at home before ending the regular season at Wisconsin.
Point-Spreads.com projection: Northwestern repeats 8-4 regular season.
Get a 50% Deposit Bonus and $25 Free Bet at Sportsbook.com, simply use promo code WIN100 and start winning today!
