Beating USC twice is no great calling card. Stanford typically plays USC well and this USC team is poorly coached and unmotivated. I've watched them up close here in Los Angeles and very few around here are impressed by them. I think Wisconsin has a decent shot at beating them if they get Clement back integrated and healthy. Similarly, I am wholly unimpressed by UCLA. They can't stop anyone. I'm not sure Nebraska beats them, but I doubt UCLA blows them out. The Notre Dame win is a better win and was a nailbiter.
Schlabach predictions
- Thread starter shakes3858
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Beating USC twice is no great calling card. Stanford typically plays USC well and this USC team is poorly coached and unmotivated. I've watched them up close here in Los Angeles and very few around here are impressed by them. I think Wisconsin has a decent shot at beating them if they get Clement back integrated and healthy. Similarly, I am wholly unimpressed by UCLA. They can't stop anyone. I'm not sure Nebraska beats them, but I doubt UCLA blows them out. The Notre Dame win is a better win and was a nailbiter.
Not so fast my Volunteer friends. The notion that the Stanford team today would beat the Northwestern team today is misplaced. We played a Wisconsin Team that was the equal of Stanford late in the season and defeated them. Fact is we simply match up well with Stanford. That the pundits have had to come up with the ridiculous time zone excuse is itself evidence there is nothing better of any substance to make a case contrary. Now whether we match up as well with Tennessee is another question, the answer to which we will find out after we have played you. The point remains though that we did play Stanford and there remains no question based upon having walked the walk. Until you beat us all you are doing is talking the talk.
Yeah, their defense is much better. The Badgers defense was elite this year - #1 in points per game allowed and #3 in total yardage allowed. Stanford's back in the middle of the pack with Tennessee.
Wisconsin's offense was the problem. A mediocre QB, an OL which struggled more than usual, and an injury to their stud RB all gave them problems. But they still had a strong season, finishing 9-3, with all three losses to top ranked teams (Alabama, Iowa, us).
Honestly, because our offense is our weak link, I'd rather play a team with a mediocre defense, like Stanford or Tennessee, rather than Wisconsin. We'll be able to move the ball against UT, and I think we can contain their offense for the most part.
Yeah, their defense is much better. The Badgers defense was elite this year - #1 in points per game allowed and #3 in total yardage allowed. Stanford's back in the middle of the pack with Tennessee.
Wisconsin's offense was the problem. A mediocre QB, an OL which struggled more than usual, and an injury to their stud RB all gave them problems. But they still had a strong season, finishing 9-3, with all three losses to top ranked teams (Alabama, Iowa, us).
Honestly, because our offense is our weak link, I'd rather play a team with a mediocre defense, like Stanford or Tennessee, rather than Wisconsin. We'll be able to move the ball against UT, and I think we can contain their offense for the most part.
Wisconsin's wins are really unimpressive. Who is the best team they beat? Minnesota? Nebraska?
Just curious... What makes you think that NU's 114th ranked offense will score points on Tennessee?
IMHO, if TN doesn't turn it over, 21 points will be enough to win.
This may sound ridiculous but, most games, NU's offense was not really trying to score points. The number one priority was not to turn the ball over and chew up some clock to keep the Defense off the field for a rest. The defense scored points and special teams scored points and the offense took care of the ball.
I really believe we could pass more and put up more points but it would come at the cost of interceptions and turnovers. Live and die by the sword. 21 points should get you to the win but will you score 21 if we don't give you field position?
Wisconsin lost to us by six and to Iowa by four. They also lost to Alabama. They won the rest of their games. What does the question about their "best win" have to do with the fact that their defense is elite? Again, I'm very happy not playing them again, and I think they'll beat Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl.
Our 114th ranked offense has moved the ball and scored points this year against other mediocre defenses, such as Stanford, Duke, Minnesota, Nebraska and Illinois. I think we'll be able to score some against Tennessee.
21 points very well may be enough to win, but what makes you think Tennessee can score 21 points against NU's 7th ranked defense?
I'm predicting a 23-20 victory by Northwestern. I think it'll be a close game, and UT could very well win with 21 points. It'll come down to turnover margin and who executes better on special teams, IMO.
Wisconsin lost to us by six and to Iowa by four. They also lost to Alabama. They won the rest of their games. What does the question about their "best win" have to do with the fact that their defense is elite? Again, I'm very happy not playing them again, and I think they'll beat Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl.
Our 114th ranked offense has moved the ball and scored points this year against other mediocre defenses, such as Stanford, Duke, Minnesota, Nebraska and Illinois. I think we'll be able to score some against Tennessee.
21 points very well may be enough to win, but what makes you think Tennessee can score 21 points against NU's 7th ranked defense?
I'm predicting a 23-20 victory by Northwestern. I think it'll be a close game, and UT could very well win with 21 points. It'll come down to turnover margin and who executes better on special teams, IMO.
NU is ranked 11th in total defense. We have played 4 defenses ranked higher.
Scored 14 @Bama (2nd total D)
Scored 27 @Florida (6th total D)
Scored 38 vs Georgia (8th total D)
Scored 19 @Mizzou (9th total D)
Average of 24.5 vs top 10 defenses.
Could have scored more @Mizzou but when up 19-0 against a really bad offense, we went very conservative and rightfully so. No way Mizzou scored 19 without turnovers.
Relatively confident we will score at least 21. I do think NU will move the ball some. It is worth noting that our scoring defense and red zone defense are ranked higher than our total defense statistics.
