Northwestern Wildcats 2022 College Football Preview
July 28, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 3-9
ATS – 3-9
Yuck. That pretty much sums it up, yo.
PATS CATS got off to a decent 3-3 start and then GLUG GLUG GLUG….the season went down the drain as they lost their final six games, the majority of which were in blowout fashion. They were brutal on both sides of the football and finished with a mark of 3-9 for the 2nd time in three years.
Northwestern Wildcats 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
Northwestern was a total GREASE FIRE on offense LY and managed a mere 16.6 PPG (#125 FBS) and 322 YPG (#116). The QB play has gotta get a lot better as they posted a gross 13-14 TD to INT ratio in 2021. Projected starter Ryan Hilinski struggled mightily LY but it looks like he’s now got a decent supporting cast. Evan Hull is a legit #1 RB (1,009 rush, 33 receptions LY) and the vast majority of TE/WR weapons are back for battle. It doesn’t appear that there are any elite THROW GAME weapons but we expect more consistency and overall production. The OL should be a team strength as they bring back over 100 careers starts and a rising star at LT in Peter Skoronski. These guys won’t scare anyone but will be much improved compared to 2021.
DEFENSE
That sure wasn’t YO MOMMA’S Northwestern defense LY as the Cats allowed 213 YPG on the ground (#119 FBS run defense), 67% completions (#122), whilst tallying just 19 sacks (#110). We don’t have a ton of confidence in a 2022 defense that brings back just five starters but there are a few reasons to be optimistic. The DL boasts a rising star in DE Adetomiwa Adebawore and a number of talented transfer portal doods. They also have a really good pair of CBs in AJ Hampton and Cameron Mitchell (combined 19 PBU LY). Other than that, things look a bit sketchy.
SPECIAL TEAMS
RUH ROH. Northwestern was a mess on special teams LY and they need to break in a new PK and punter. Maybe the new blood will make a difference? The good news is that PR/KR Raymond Niro did a decent job in 2021.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s GAME ON right off the opening tip as they lock horns with Nebraska in Dublin on August 27. Their next three games are vs non-conference PATSIES, so that’s a positive. Northwestern draws Ohio St and Penn St from the East and have to play Iowa and Minnesota ON THE HIGHWAY.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – November 19 – at Purdue
This will be the Wildcats’ 4th road game in five weeks with the home finale up next.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline July 28
Over 4 -115
Under 4 -115
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
From a perceived “value” standpoint it looks as though the ‘over’ is worth a look **. They’re gonna win two or three non-conference games and have four or five winnable Big Ten tilts.
** don’t kill the messenger
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Even after posting an 0-4 ATS record as road underdogs LY the Wildcats are still a fantastic 37-21 vs Vegas (64%) in that point spread role under HC Pat Fitzgerald.
Northwestern has some of the most balanced home/road splits in the nation. Over the L10Y, PATS CATS are 38-29 at home (.567) and 25-22 in true road events (.532).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Everything fell to pieces last season as a roster light on experience and talent was beaten like a RENTED MULE on numerous occasions. We expect a scrappy performance more in line with Northwestern football this year but think it’ll be tough to get to a bowl game. We’ll call for four to six wins, and hope they hit the higher end of that range.
Want more Northwestern Football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.nusports.com/?path=football
FORUM
https://northwestern.forums.rivals.com/forums/wildcat-football-board.14/
http://northwestern.247sports.com/Board/Northwestern-Wildcats-Message-Board-Forum-59466
NEWS
http://www.hailtopurple.com/index.html
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/77/northwestern-wildcats