Northwestern v. Miami (OH)

Last year NW ended up with the nation's #4 offense overall, including the nation's #7 pass attack. Obviously the Wildcats are going to be without Big 10 Offensive Player of the year Brett Basanez, but Big 10 Freshman of the year Tyrell Sutton is back, as well as four starters off last year's O line. The Wildcats also bring back WR Shaun Herbert who had nearly 900 yards last year on 79 receptions. A reliable WR will definetly help redshirt freshman Mike Kafka in his first start.

The wildcat O will be taking on a very inexperienced Miami D. Only 2 starters back from last year's 7-4 team. Among Miami's losses are included all 5 LBs who started at least 1 game last year. On offense this year Miami will focus more on the run and try to get RB Brandon Murphy going to take the pressure of an inexperience QB. Unfortunately, Murphy was ruled out yesterday with an ankle injury. Not a good development for an inexperienced offense that is only going to bring back 4 starters from last year (including the injured Murphy).

I basically look at this game as such; NW is the better team and they and will be bringing back most of it's potent offense from last year. I understand that Kafka is not going to fill Basanez's shoes straight out of the shoot, but against a Miami team that does not like being a dog (0-5 as an underdog the last three years) Sutton will be too much on the road.

NORTHWESTERN -4 (**)