Northwestern vs Vanderbilt 2010 College Football Predictions: Northwestern travels to play Vanderbilt in a clash of BIG TEN/SEC private schools. The Wildcats are favored at Sportsbook.com by -3 with a 44 1/2 total. I can't recommend Northwestern enough in this one. These programs are going in opposite directions.
R
obbie Caldwell is in his first season at Vanderbilt, taking over following the July retirement of former coach Bobby Johnson. When camp opened in early August, Caldwell and his staff greeted more than 12 starters and 44 letterwinners from a 2009 Commodore squad that ended a disappointing 2-10 season with eight straight losses.
Northwestern has 16 starters returning, including eight on the offensive unit, which produced 621 yards vs. Auburn in the Outback Bowl and averaged 404.1 yards per game. The Wildcats have their five starters on the offensive line back, along with their top two superbacks, several regular receivers and their entire corps of running backs. Offensive tackle Al Netter, an honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree in 2009, leads the returnees up front, while superback Drake Dunsmore and wide receiver Sidney Stewart are some of NU's top returning skill players. Sophomore Arby Fields, NU's top rusher from a year ago, leads the list of candidates at running back.
No position will get closer scrutiny in the weeks leading to the opener against Northwestern than the quarterback role. In his first full year as a starter, Larry Smith threw for 1,126 yards in nine games, but completed less than 50 percent of his passes before his season ended due to injury. In 2009, Warren Norman and Zac Stacy rushed for 783 and 478 yards, respectively. Norman's total ranks No. 2 all-time among Commodore freshmen. Some long-time observers of the Commodores believe Norman and Stacy rank among the best tailback duos in team history.
I have looked like an idiot as has any person who attempts to handicap football games and I tell you, Northwestern should run over the Commodores. I just wonder what are these oddsmakers seeing that I'm not. I'm picking Northwestern and planning on laughing all the way to the bank.
Get a 50% Deposit Bonus and $25 Free Bet at Sportsbook.com, simply use promo code WIN100 and start winning today!
