The pieces are in place for Northwestern to have a successful season.
But the degree of potential achievement seems to realistically range from another six-win regular season to as many as 10 victories and a battle for the Big Ten West title.
One thing is certain, Northwestern figures to have an explosive offensive keyed by a veteran running back and quarterback from a unit that ranked fifth last year in the Big Ten.
They’ll be aided by experienced lines — all juniors and seniors — on both sides of the ball.
But Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald has a major hole at middle linebacker with the departure of All-American Anthony Walker, who had 105 tackles last year — including 62 solos — and anchored the run defense.
“I don’t think you can ever replace a player like that,” Fitzgerald said.
But he’ll try.
“That’s the neat thing about college football,” he said. “Every year, 20, 25 percent of your team graduates, and now you’ve got to replace it from a standpoint of freshmen coming in, but then new opportunity for guys that have been in the program.”
Fitzgerald is 77-62 entering his 12th season, including seven bowl games. Last year, Northwestern beat Pitt 31-24 in the Pinstripe Bowl to finish 7-6.
“Going to 2017 (we’ll) try to win a bowl game in back-to-back years, first time in program history,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of excitement when it comes to that.”
Northwestern expects to have a powerhouse attack with the return of running back Justin Jackson, who rushed for 1,524 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry last season. Quarterback Clayton Thorson was 280 of 478 for 3,128 yards and 22 touchdowns for a passing attack ranked fourth in the Big Ten.
No. 1 receiver Austin Carr, who topped the Big Ten in receptions (90), receiving yards (1,247) and receiving touchdowns, has moved on to the NFL.
So Flynn Nagel (40 receptions, 447 yards), Garrett Dickerson (34 catches for 318 yards and five TDs) and Jalen Brown, a graduate transfer from Oregon, are among likely targets. The speedy Brown had 19 receptions for 318 yards and three touchdowns last year as a Ducks sophomore.
Freshman Riley Lees, ranked the No. 18 high school player in Illinois last year, could also make a quick impact, not just at wide receiver but at other positions.
Safeties Godwin Igwebuike, Kyle Queiro and Jared McGee all return in the secondary.
Punter Hunter Niswander is back after averaging 41.3 yards per punt last season. But there will likely be new faces handling other kicking chores.
Northwestern went 10-3 in 2015, and the most optimistic scenarios put that kind of season — including contention for a Big Ten championship game berth — within reach. The schedule does not include Ohio State or Michigan, but the Wildcats play at Wisconsin, Maryland and Nebraska and host reigning Big Ten champion Penn State.
Non-conference games with Nevada, Duke and Bowling Green to open the season could help the Wildcats to a 3-0 start heading into a conference opener on Sept. 30 at Wisconsin.
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: RB Justin Jackson — A dependable workhorse for the past three seasons, Jackson already has 4,129 rushing yards in his Northwestern career. Another season like last year — 1,524 yards — would easily make him the school’s all-time rushing leader. His 312 carries were among the top three in college football last season. He was named pre-season All-Big Ten.
BREAKOUT STAR: WR Flynn Nagel — He has a chance to step out of the shadows of departed WR Austin Carr and emerge as a go-to target for quarterback Clayton Thorson. Last season, he had 40 receptions for 447 yards and two touchdowns and averaged 11.2 yards per catch.
NEWCOMER TO WATCH: WR Riley Lees — Lees, a freshman who was ranked the No. 18 recruit in Illinois, could also have a quick breakout, not just at wide receiver but at other positions. A three-star recruit, Lees was seen as a dual-threat quarterback at Libertyville (Ill.) High School and led his team to a state championship appearance.
–Minnesota travels to Northwestern on November 18th.
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