Let's talk Northwestern
Hope your Thanksgiving was full of family and food, with no kicks to the sternum. Tina Akouris of the Chicago Sun-Times provides insights today on the Wildcats:
* What has been the key to this team's turnaround in the past four games?
"It has to be the defense. There was talk a couple of weeks ago that, during the five-game losing streak, the defense was "overthinking" their plays and assignments. There was also the issue during the Iowa loss on Oct. 15 (41-31 Iowa) that the defense had a communication breakdown and certain positions weren't getting the right signals. Since the Indiana win, though, (59-38 on Oct. 29), the defense is playing with more confidence and isn't thinking as much. Coach Pat Fitzgerald coyly says that things have been simplified."
* Where do you think Dan Persa is physically right now?
"I think he's doing better than he did when he returned against Illinois on Oct. 1. He still struggles when he's scrambling and does seem to get sacked a bit more now than last year, but I think that is due to his mobility not being 100 percent yet. His arm, however, is not a question. It is still as strong and accurate as ever."
* Kain Colter obviously has been a key to this offense, under center and otherwise. How good is he going to be?
"I see him being as good at quarterback as Persa was a year ago (before the Achilles injury) and one of those jack-of-all-trades guys or like a utilityman type at running back and receiver, filling in during an emergency situation. He's going to be that guy down the road that is a difference maker for NU. If he's having a solid, good day then the Wildcats will win."
* Why has this Northwestern defense been disappointing, or did you see this coming?
"I did not see this coming. Going into the season there were high expectations on this group of seniors, both on offense and defense. But with a defense anchored by leaders like Jordan Mabin and Brian Peters in the secondary, I figured they could get through most struggles. Fitzgerald called out these seniors after the TicketCity Bowl last season and challenged them to step up and they didn't really do so until recently. I think they were overanalyzing things and overthinking and once they were able to just let go and play, they realized that they can hang with anybody."
* Northwestern has made a point to reach out in Chicago and try to get more fan support. Have you seen that pay off at all this season?
"To an extent, yes. At Army back in September, there were about 600 fans who rode boats up the Hudson River from Manhattan to see the game. That was impressive. The two night games at Ryan Field (against Michigan and Penn State) drew large crowds, but these last two home games against Rice and Minnesota were disappointing. Even some students wondered on Twitter where all the fans were."
* Is Pat Fitzgerald a lifer or can anyone lure him out of there?
"Right now I don't see him leaving. He just signed a 10-year deal back in the spring and the athletic department is working on a facilities study that should upgrade most (if not all) of the football amenities. And his whole family (and his wife's family) are still in the Chicago area. Unless NU does something seriously wrong to make him angry and want to leave, I see him staying here."
* Your keys to Saturday's game and a prediction if you care to give one.
"If Northwestern scores early and builds up a two or three touchdown lead, the defense has to hold the Spartans and try to contain Kirk Cousins. The NU defense is key to this game and they can't miss tackles or let the Spartans offense get out of hand. But my prediction is Michigan State 35, Northwestern 31. I don't think NU will be fooled again and take the cheese like last year."
"It has to be the defense. There was talk a couple of weeks ago that, during the five-game losing streak, the defense was "overthinking" their plays and assignments. There was also the issue during the Iowa loss on Oct. 15 (41-31 Iowa) that the defense had a communication breakdown and certain positions weren't getting the right signals. Since the Indiana win, though, (59-38 on Oct. 29), the defense is playing with more confidence and isn't thinking as much. Coach Pat Fitzgerald coyly says that things have been simplified."
* Where do you think Dan Persa is physically right now?
"I think he's doing better than he did when he returned against Illinois on Oct. 1. He still struggles when he's scrambling and does seem to get sacked a bit more now than last year, but I think that is due to his mobility not being 100 percent yet. His arm, however, is not a question. It is still as strong and accurate as ever."
* Kain Colter obviously has been a key to this offense, under center and otherwise. How good is he going to be?
"I see him being as good at quarterback as Persa was a year ago (before the Achilles injury) and one of those jack-of-all-trades guys or like a utilityman type at running back and receiver, filling in during an emergency situation. He's going to be that guy down the road that is a difference maker for NU. If he's having a solid, good day then the Wildcats will win."
* Why has this Northwestern defense been disappointing, or did you see this coming?
"I did not see this coming. Going into the season there were high expectations on this group of seniors, both on offense and defense. But with a defense anchored by leaders like Jordan Mabin and Brian Peters in the secondary, I figured they could get through most struggles. Fitzgerald called out these seniors after the TicketCity Bowl last season and challenged them to step up and they didn't really do so until recently. I think they were overanalyzing things and overthinking and once they were able to just let go and play, they realized that they can hang with anybody."
* Northwestern has made a point to reach out in Chicago and try to get more fan support. Have you seen that pay off at all this season?
"To an extent, yes. At Army back in September, there were about 600 fans who rode boats up the Hudson River from Manhattan to see the game. That was impressive. The two night games at Ryan Field (against Michigan and Penn State) drew large crowds, but these last two home games against Rice and Minnesota were disappointing. Even some students wondered on Twitter where all the fans were."
* Is Pat Fitzgerald a lifer or can anyone lure him out of there?
"Right now I don't see him leaving. He just signed a 10-year deal back in the spring and the athletic department is working on a facilities study that should upgrade most (if not all) of the football amenities. And his whole family (and his wife's family) are still in the Chicago area. Unless NU does something seriously wrong to make him angry and want to leave, I see him staying here."
* Your keys to Saturday's game and a prediction if you care to give one.
"If Northwestern scores early and builds up a two or three touchdown lead, the defense has to hold the Spartans and try to contain Kirk Cousins. The NU defense is key to this game and they can't miss tackles or let the Spartans offense get out of hand. But my prediction is Michigan State 35, Northwestern 31. I don't think NU will be fooled again and take the cheese like last year."
Thanky you very much, Tina. If you missed it, Denny looks at MSU's key defensive sub. Here's the MSU-Milwaukee hoops gamer. And the MSU hockey team has a big opportunity with the No. 2 Gophers in town.
