NORTHWESTERN +8 over Air Force
Two teams off opening day wins, meet up in Evanston as Northwestern hosts Air Force at Ryan Field. Last week, the Falcons had no trouble in shutting out the Wofford Terriers at home by a final of 49-0. The Wildcats had a bit of a tougher time but they were on the road against a Division 1 team, as they handled the Jayhawks 28-20. Last year, the Falcons blew out Northwestern by a final of 52-3 in their home opener. Now, the Wildcats are looking for revenge in their home lid-lifter.
Air Force will see an entirely different Northwestern team this time around. Forced to play through a steady stream of rain last week, the Wildcats put their faith in running back Jason Wright and were not disappointed. The Player of the Week in the Big Ten, Wright gained a career-tying high of 196 yards on the ground and found his way to the end zone four times, accounting for all but the PATs for Northwestern on the day. Normally this Wildcat team will operate from the shotgun and put the ball in the air more often than not. Having a true running threat will only make the offense more dangerous and unpredictable. Their QB Basanez was second in the league in total offense last year with 230 ypg, just fractions of a yard behind Iowa's Brad Banks. The run defense was the worst in Division I-A last year; however, they return most of their starters, including one huge addition. MLB Pat Durr, the heart of the Wildcats defense was injured and lost for the season in last year's encounter with the Falcons. If Durr can disrupt the Falcon Flexbone — as he has promised to do — the Wildcats should be able to slow down the Air Force ground game enough to give the offense a chance to keep this one close all the way.
Quarterback Chance Harridge runs the show for the Air Force offense and does so very well. He's just the second player in NCAA history to both run and pass for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. Air Force has finished in the top 10 in rushing every year and is right on track to do it again in 2003. The Falcons are sound on defense but they will be tested by a Northwestern team that is very dangerous offensively and can score quickly. Additionally, the Air Force defensive line averages just 262 pounds, will have to face one of college football's biggest offensive front, as the Wildcats average 317 a man.
Northwestern will have the homefield advantage as well here. This Wildcat team is a year older, and much better. The importance of the return of linebacker Pat Durr to the NU defense can't be minimized. Look for the Wildcats to make great use of their possessions and try to wear Air Force down over the course of the game. Getting on top early and making Air Force play catch-up is what Northwestern will aim to do here, as the Falcons are not a passing team whatsoever. The points should be a-plenty here, but with the opening-day home crowd and revenge factor in their favor, we like the Wildcats to keep this one close and pull off the minor upset.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: NORTHWESTERN 35 AIR FORCE 34
Two teams off opening day wins, meet up in Evanston as Northwestern hosts Air Force at Ryan Field. Last week, the Falcons had no trouble in shutting out the Wofford Terriers at home by a final of 49-0. The Wildcats had a bit of a tougher time but they were on the road against a Division 1 team, as they handled the Jayhawks 28-20. Last year, the Falcons blew out Northwestern by a final of 52-3 in their home opener. Now, the Wildcats are looking for revenge in their home lid-lifter.
Air Force will see an entirely different Northwestern team this time around. Forced to play through a steady stream of rain last week, the Wildcats put their faith in running back Jason Wright and were not disappointed. The Player of the Week in the Big Ten, Wright gained a career-tying high of 196 yards on the ground and found his way to the end zone four times, accounting for all but the PATs for Northwestern on the day. Normally this Wildcat team will operate from the shotgun and put the ball in the air more often than not. Having a true running threat will only make the offense more dangerous and unpredictable. Their QB Basanez was second in the league in total offense last year with 230 ypg, just fractions of a yard behind Iowa's Brad Banks. The run defense was the worst in Division I-A last year; however, they return most of their starters, including one huge addition. MLB Pat Durr, the heart of the Wildcats defense was injured and lost for the season in last year's encounter with the Falcons. If Durr can disrupt the Falcon Flexbone — as he has promised to do — the Wildcats should be able to slow down the Air Force ground game enough to give the offense a chance to keep this one close all the way.
Quarterback Chance Harridge runs the show for the Air Force offense and does so very well. He's just the second player in NCAA history to both run and pass for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. Air Force has finished in the top 10 in rushing every year and is right on track to do it again in 2003. The Falcons are sound on defense but they will be tested by a Northwestern team that is very dangerous offensively and can score quickly. Additionally, the Air Force defensive line averages just 262 pounds, will have to face one of college football's biggest offensive front, as the Wildcats average 317 a man.
Northwestern will have the homefield advantage as well here. This Wildcat team is a year older, and much better. The importance of the return of linebacker Pat Durr to the NU defense can't be minimized. Look for the Wildcats to make great use of their possessions and try to wear Air Force down over the course of the game. Getting on top early and making Air Force play catch-up is what Northwestern will aim to do here, as the Falcons are not a passing team whatsoever. The points should be a-plenty here, but with the opening-day home crowd and revenge factor in their favor, we like the Wildcats to keep this one close and pull off the minor upset.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: NORTHWESTERN 35 AIR FORCE 34
