Before every game, I ask a reporter who covers the Gophers upcoming opponent to give us a view from the opponent’s perspective.
I asked Alex Cervantes from The Daily Northwestern six questions about the Northwestern Wildcats.
Minnesota travels to Evanston, Illinois for their second road game in a row on September 23rd to take on Northwestern
Huge thanks to Alex for giving us his thoughts!
Follow Alex on Twitter: @CervantesPAlex
Follow Noel on Twitter: @N0elthompson
1.Not much went right for Northwestern last year, which finished 1-11 and scored over 20 points just five times. Just when you think it couldn’t have gotten any worse, it did when Pat Fitzgerald was fired due to issues surrounding hazing allegations within the football program. Fitzgerald was Northwestern football for the last two decades. Now enters David Braun, who came from North Dakota State to fix the defense. Entering this season with so much happening off the field, what were the expectations for this team on the field in Evanston? In your opinion, have those expectations stayed the same three games into the season?
The on-field expectations for this team were low, both nationally and among those who cover the ‘Cats locally. This is a team which lost four starters on the offensive line, a running back who posted nearly 1,500 all-purpose yards and two NFL draft picks on the defense. This team was pretty unanimously pegged to finish dead last in the Big Ten West. Through three games, those expectations are probably the same. This team has struggled to defend the run against its two Power-Five opponents and Ben Bryant seems to still be adjusting to Mike Bajakian’s offensive system.
2. Northwestern enters the game against Minnesota with a 1-2 record for the season. They are coming off a loss to Duke after beating UTEP at home in Week 2. What has gone right for the Wildcats this season? What has gone wrong?
I alluded to it in the first answer, but Northwestern’s run defense in its two losses, especially against Duke, has been atrocious. The offense has also struggled to stay on the field, with Bryant still figuring out life in Evanston under Bajakian, and the Wildcats’ run game struggling to muster much production. Conversely, I’ve liked the couple series from backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan, who has accounted for two of Northwestern’s three touchdowns against Power-Five opponents — albeit both were admittedly in fourth quarter garbage time. On special teams, A.J. Henning and Coco Azema have shown some ability to provide a spark in the return game, while kicker Jack Olsen is a perfect 9-for-9 on his field goals and extra points this season (aggressively knocks on wood).
3. Northwestern offense comes into the game averaging 186 yards passing and 100 yards on the ground. They are putting up just under 20 points per game. Who are some players on the offense that Gophers fans should know about?
The first player that comes to mind is Henning. Whether in the kick or punt return game, along with reps at wide receiver, Northwestern is constantly looking to get him the ball and let him make plays. Cam Johnson, another member of Northwestern’s receiving corps, is a guy to keep tabs on. His numbers don’t leap off the page — he’s hauled in 12 passes for 141 yards through three games — but his connection with Bryant appears to be shaping up. Finally, I’ll move to the quarterback room, but not the guy who will be starting under center for the ‘Cats Saturday night. Jack Lausch, the hometown kid, is Northwestern’s second leading rusher on the season and Braun has talked ad nauseam about finding ways to use him in the offense, even if he isn’t starting. He only had two carries against Duke, though I’d imagine Braun and Bajakian will look to get him involved this weekend.
4. The Wildcat defense is giving up 363 total yards so far into the 2023 season. The passing defense ranks seventh in the Big Ten, allowing 199 yards per game. Who are some players on defense that the Gophers should know about?
Although this unit has surrendered 62 points in its two games against Power-Five opponents, there are a couple of guys to be aware of. Up first is Bryce Gallagher, Northwestern’s leading tackler and two-time captain, who is the main guy on Northwestern’s defense. I’d also like to mention Anto Saka, a sophomore defensive lineman who has registered sacks in back-to-back games. Finally, Devin Turner, who was thrown into the fire last season as a freshman, has been a critical piece of the Wildcats’ secondary this year. He’s tied for a team-high 10 solo tackles and also has two passes defended to his name through three games.
5. What do the Wildcats need to do to pull off a home victory against the Gophers this Saturday? In your opinion, what are the keys to the game?
First and foremost, Braun needs to put together a successful game plan to stop the run, which the team has struggled to do against Rutgers and Duke. In the loss to the Blue Devils, Northwestern had 21 missed tackles, its most in a game since playing Michigan in Ann Arbor two seasons ago, according to PFF. On the other side of the ball, Bryant and the Northwestern offense needs to do something, anything, productive early in the game. The ‘Cats simply cannot fall into a big deficit in the first quarter, because that hole will be too deep to climb out of. If the ‘Cats can stay within a score of the Golden Gophers and limit the latter’s rushing attack, then I’d say they have a chance. The Big Ten West is as unruly as ever, so I don’t think it’s entirely out of the cards for NU to keep this within seven or so points for 60 minutes.
6. Minnesota leads the all-time series against Northwestern 56-36. The Gophers have won three in a row over the Wildcats and head into Evanston as 11-point favorites. What is your prediction for the game this Saturday?
Maybe I’m too optimistic, but I think with the return of students to campus, this might be Northwestern’s best home atmosphere of the season. I’m not sure how raucous that environment will be, I just think the ‘Cats will feed off that energy. In a turnover-heavy affair, I think Northwestern ekes out its first Big Ten win at home since October 2021. Prediction: 17-14 Northwestern