WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2010 - THE OFFENSE

In 2009, QB Mike Kafka and the Wildcats offense put on a passing clinic for the college football world, ranking 13th in the country passing yards per game, and culminating in with a 532 yd, 4 TD (…oh, and 5 INT) performance in the Outback Bowl. The offense that takes the field against Vanderbilt next Saturday will feature a number of new faces in key roles, most notably at QB. Here are the key questions for the offense as we enter the 2010 season:

-Can Dan Persa step up at QB and replicate Mike Kafka’s success from 2009?
-Can the Wildcats establish a legitimate rushing attack, after a woeful ground game in 2009?
-Can the WR corps replace the losses of Andrew Brewer and Zeke Markshausen and continue to drive the success of the spread offense?

QUARTERBACK

The story behind NU’s successful 8-4 campaign in 2009 was the emergence of senior QB Mike Kafka. After losing the starting job in 2006 after a posting a 57% completion rate with 1 TD and 6 INTs, Kafka spent most of the next two years as the backup to CJ Bacher, with only 49 pass attempts over that time. Following Bacher’s graduation, Kafka retook the starting spot looking more changed than fellow Chicago icon, Sammy Sosa. 3,430 yards and 19 TDs later, Kafka found himself selected in the 4th round of the NFL Draft and headed to Philly to enter a dogfight with Mike Vick for the back-up role (poor choice of words).

Now, its up to junior QB Dan Persa to take the reigns and lead one of the Big11Ten’s most prolific offenses. Reports from camp this summer have been glowing, leaving ‘Cats fans hopeful for a Kafka-esque improvement year over year. Last season Persa logged significant minutes against both Penn St and Iowa, due to injury to Kafka. In those games, he was 19/32 for 152 yards with a TD and an INT.

Like Kafka, Persa is known for his ability to scramble, though unlike his predecessor, Persa comes to NU as an experienced passing QB. Persa started all four years in high school in a pass-oriented offense, while Kakfa had only one year of high school experience in which he primarily ran out of the QB spot. Still, translating that experience to the college level will be a challenge, and a deciding factor in the ‘Cats success this season will come down to how long it takes Persa to become comfortable in the starting role.

RUNNING BACK

Last year the phones at the Evanston police department were overwhelmed by people filing missing person reports on the ‘Cats running game. On the season, the ‘Cats ranked 95th in the country in rushing yards, with Arby Fields leading the team with a mere 302 yards on the SEASON.

The ground game was limited both by a lack of a breakout running back as well as an inexperienced O-line. In 2009, NU had no senior starters on an O-line that gave up 32 sacks on the year. This year Northwestern returns all of the starting line and looks to have one of the best lines in the Big11Ten. Not only will they be returning experience, but current starters are facing intense competition from a number of highly-regarded underclassmen – which should hopefully raise everyone’s game.

Now, onto the RB’s themselves. NU returns all of the backs who logged significant minutes last year, and the hope will be that with another year under their belt, performance will improve accordingly. Though dinged up during training camp, look for Arby Fields to be the RB that gets the most minutes early in the season. Scott Concannon and Jacob Schmidt will pick up the rest of the reps, both bringing more of a fullback size and style to the position.

WIDE RECEIEVERS

With the lack of production on the ground in 2009, the WR corps were vital to the ‘Cats on-field success. Having graduated the top 2 wide receivers, Andrew Brewer and Zeke Markshausen, the ‘Cats will look to their younger players to step up in 2010.

Junior Jeremy Ebert is likely take over Brewer’s former spot as the deep-threat outside receiver, following an injury-plagued season last year. Despite a bevy of talent, it will be interesting to see how he handles the outside role as he lacks the size NU has typically featured at the position.

Zeke’s spot as the slot receiver is likely to be filled by either senior Sidney Stewart or up and coming sophomore Demetrius Fields. Stewart has been effective at virtually all WR spots over his NU career, so he may more suited to take on the deeper slot spot. This would leave Fields handling the shorter crossing routes for the most part.

The fourth WR spot will most likely alternate between the RB and super-back Drake Dunsmore, much like last season. Along with Fields, this spot will handle the short routes that essentially work as a running game for the ‘Cats.

BIG PICTURE

With the expected improvement in the O-line, the ‘Cats should see better balance on offense in 2010, though passing is still likely to determine the unit’s overall success. Despite accolades at camp so far, it will be very difficult for Persa to replicates Kafka’s success from last season.

An improved running game should help NU better put away opponents in the cases where the ‘Cats have late leads. Additionally, with a legitimate rushing threat, there will be much less pressure on Persa to carry the team early.

Overall, I expect the offense to take a step back from 2009, though continue to be effective through better overall balance. If Persa does prove himself as effective as Kafka in 2009, NU has the potential to be a top 15 offense nationally…but such predictions will be way premature until at least a few weeks into the season.