Western Michigan @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2013 ) Western Michigan 17, Northwestern 38

Northwestern may be eyeing its first Big Ten championship since 2000 and first back-to-back 10-win seasons, but can't get ahead of itself and look past season-opening foe Western Michigan on Saturday. The Wildcats host a Mid-American Conference foe that is coming off a season in which it won its first bowl game.

Northwestern's strengths lie in its offensive line, run game and a defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in 2015. Sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson returns after throwing for 1,522 yards and seven touchdowns, and has help in the backfield led by junior Justin Jackson (2,605 rushing yards during the last two seasons). Defensively, the Wildcats and preseason All-American linebacker Anthony Walker hope to resemble a unit that allowed a national-low, five passing touchdowns last season. The Broncos have high hopes with four returning offensive linemen protecting fourth-year starting quarterback Zach Terrell (more than 3,400 passing yards each of the last two seasons).
TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: Northwestern -5






ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN (2015: 8-5): The Broncos also have two running backs - Jamauri Bogan (last year) and Jarvion Franklin (2014) - who have rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Terrell's top target is Corey Davis, who caught 90 passes for 1,446 yards as a junior last season. Coach P.J. Fleck's team has prepped for the opener during a week of news headlines centered on the dismissal of two players - freshmen Ron George and Bryson White - accused of armed robbery.
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (2015: 10-3): Coach Pat Fitzgerald said Thorson's success last season bodes well for the future. "When you look at the success he had as a redshirt freshman, it’s truly phenomenal,'' Fitzgerald told reporters. "There are very few that have had the kind of success in college football that he had as a redshirt freshman. I’m not talking about all the stats; I’m talking about success. I’m talking about winning.” Senior wide receiver Austin Carr (16 catches, 302 yards) is Thorson's top returning target. Godwin Igwebuike and Matt Harris lead the secondary and Tyler Lancaster anchors the line for a defense that must replace five starters and one that has already lost cornerback Keith Watkins II (knee) for the season.

EXTRA POINTS
1. Northwestern is 21-2 in September since 2010.
2. Western Michigan, which plays Big Ten foe Illinois in Week 3, opened with a 37-24 loss to Michigan State last season.
3. The Wildcats won the only previous meeting 38-17 at home in 2014.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 24, Western Michigan 17