Dickens’ a Tale of Two Cities and its opening line of “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times,” has become something of cliché. But cliches persist for a reason. They work. Last week’s loss against Oregon in a foggy Autzen Stadium started spectacularly for Northwestern, which ran up a 20-6 lead approaching halftime. Then came the worst part…the wheels came off in the second half, especially on the defense after Jon Jon Stevens left the game with a head injury. The Cats lost 34-26.
Meanwhile, this week’s opponent, Iowa, shutout Wisconsin 30-0, a week after the Badgers beat a USC team that went on to upset OSU. Iowa had looked beatable in earlier weeks, but seems to have an offense, just at a time when NU’s battered defense may be at its most vulnerable. This week’s injury list may play an outsized role in how the Cats respond.
Without clarity on the roster, my prediction is based on the Chip Kelly offense and a homefield at NRF. But in this scenario, one shouldn’t count on a typical low-scoring B1G West rock fight.
W.P. Kinsella 31
Saul Bellow 35
Meanwhile, this week’s opponent, Iowa, shutout Wisconsin 30-0, a week after the Badgers beat a USC team that went on to upset OSU. Iowa had looked beatable in earlier weeks, but seems to have an offense, just at a time when NU’s battered defense may be at its most vulnerable. This week’s injury list may play an outsized role in how the Cats respond.
Without clarity on the roster, my prediction is based on the Chip Kelly offense and a homefield at NRF. But in this scenario, one shouldn’t count on a typical low-scoring B1G West rock fight.
W.P. Kinsella 31
Saul Bellow 35
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