The Northwestern Wildcats will visit Kinnick Stadium for the second straight year on November 11. Last year, Northwestern handed Iowa its worst defeat of the year (only 5 points though) after knocking out Shonn Greene from the game. This year, the Wildcats lose almost all of the skill players on offense and will rely on a defense that returns 8 starters and only gave up 19.3 points per game last year. If the offense can come together, Northwestern should be able to repeat last year's success (9-4 with a trip to the Alamo Bowl) due to its very easy schedule.

Offense: Key Returning Players
The offense returns very little from 2008. The total offensive yards by the returnees only total 831 (651 are QB Mike Kafka) out of the 4660 gained by Northwestern last year. Kafka was not even a starter last year, but is probably the most important player back on offense. He did start a couple of games while C.J. Bacher was injured, and was decent. He is a good runner and will need to learn to be more consistent and limit his turnover for the Wildcat's offense to succeed. Northwestern also returns 4 from the offensive line (OT Al Netter, C Ben Burkett, OT Desmond Taylor, and OG Doug Bartels) and TE Josh Rooks.

Offense: Key Losses
The Wildcats lose its leading passer, leading rusher, and top 3 leading receiver. C.J. Bacher had 2432 passing yards in 2008 and over 7300 in his career. In the 11 games he started last year the team averaged almost 26 points…in the 2 games he did not play, the team only average 13.5 points. Perhaps an even bigger loss though is RB Tyrell Sutton. Sutton was a threat running the ball and receiving and led the team in all-purpose yards with 1195. The 3 receivers gone are Ross Lane, Eric Peterman, and Rasheed Ward. Each had over 50 catches and over 500 yards last year.

Defense: Key Retuning Players
The Northwestern defense returns 8 starters and is led by Brad Phillips. At safety Phillips led the team with 109 tackles and also had 3 interceptions. The rest of the secondary is back also with S Brendan Smith, CB Sherrick McManis, and CB Jordan Mabin. Smith was 3rd on the team with 82 tackles and McManis was 4th with 67. (Side note: don't linebackers usually have the most tackles? What is up with all these guys from the secondary? I guess it worked though.) Up front DE Corey Wootton returns. Wootton consistently got in the backfield and had 10 sacks in 2008. A couple of linebackers also return (Nate Williams and Quentin Davie) who were both average in 2008.

Defense: Key Losses
The only major loss is LB Prince Kwateng. Kwateng was second on the team in tackles and a team captain. Also gone is DT John Gill and DE Kevin Mims.

Spring Guide: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nw/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2009springguide.pdf
ESPN Spring Wrap: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-3-360/Northwestern-spring-wrap.html