2023 College Football Catalog: Previewing the Northwestern Wildcats

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Jul 7, 2023
Northwestern Wildcats
Nov 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald hugs defensive back Cameron Mitchell (2) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ryan Field. Ohio State won 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Northwestern Wildcats

Just like the NFL season is right around the corner, college campuses are preparing to welcome back their football squads for the fall season. As the summer progresses we will be taking a look into how many of the FBS college football programs fared in 2022, what they did during the offseason, and how they can find success during the 2023 season. As we continue our tour through the Big Ten, today, we move onto the Northwestern Wildcats.

Overview

Nov 26, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald leads his team on the field against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

2022 Results

  1. W vs. Nebraska, 31-28
  2. L vs. Duke, 23-31
  3. L vs. Southern Illinois, 24-31
  4. L vs. Miami (OH), 14-17
  5. L @ (11) Penn State, 7-17
  6. L vs. Wisconsin, 7-42
  7. L @ Maryland, 24-31
  8. L @ Iowa, 13-33
  9. L vs. (2) Ohio State, 7-21
  10. L @ Minnesota, 3-31
  11. L @ Purdue, 9-17
  12. L vs. Illinois, 3-41
    Overall Record: 1-11 (1-8)

All-Big Ten Members

  • LT Peter Skoronski (Coaches First-Team, Media Second-Team)
  • EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore (Media Third-Team)
  • LB Bryce Gallagher (Media Third-Team)

Recent Vikings Draft Picks

  • DL Ifeadi Odenigbo (2017 Draft: R7, P220)

2023 Draft Selections

  • R1, P11: OT Peter Skoronski (Tennessee Titans)
  • R4, P110: EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore (Indianapolis Colts)
  • R5, P142: DB Cameron Mitchell (Cleveland Browns)
  • R5, P176: RB Evan Hull (Indianapolis Colts)

2023 Schedule

  1. 9/3 @ Rutgers
  2. 9/9 vs. UTEP
  3. 9/16 @ Duke
  4. 9/23 vs. Minnesota
  5. 9/30 vs. Penn State
  6. 10/7 vs. Howard
  7. 10/21 @ Nebraska
  8. 10/28 vs. Maryland
  9. 11/4 vs. Iowa
  10. 11/11 @ Wisconsin
  11. 11/18 vs. Purdue
  12. 11/25 @ Illinois

Notable Additions

Nov 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Ben Bryant (6) passes the ball against the Temple Owls during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
  • QB Ben Bryant (transfer portal, Cincinnati)
  • WR A.J. Henning (transfer portal, Michigan)
  • WR Cam Johnson (transfer portal, Arizona State)
  • DC David Braun (North Dakota State)

Notable Losses

Oct 22, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Peter Skoronski (77) prepares to block Maryland Terrapins linebacker Fa’Najae Gotay (9) during the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
  • RB Evan Hull (NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts)
  • WR Genson Hooper-Price (transfer portal, Coastal Carolina)
  • WR Malik Washington (transfer portal, Virginia)
  • OT Peter Skoronski (NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans)
  • DL Austin Firestone (transfer portal, Missouri)
  • DL Jason Gold (transfer portal, Texas State)
  • EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore (NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts)
  • LB Wendell Davis (transfer portal, Arkansas State)
  • CB A.J. Hampton (transfer portal, Tulane)
  • DB Cameron Mitchell (NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns)

Keys to 2023

Nov 12, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Improvements to the Offense

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Since winning the Big Ten-West in 2020, Northwestern has gone a grand total of 4-20 over the past two seasons. In 2022, they mustered a paltry 13.8 points per game, ranking 128th out of 131 programs. The hope is that with Cincinnati transfer Ben Bryant under center, this will improve next season. Given that they avoid Michigan and Ohio State this season, there should be hope for an improved record.

Returning to the Norm on Defense

Over the years, Northwestern has been known as a team that relies on stout defenses to find success. In 2020, they were the fifth-best scoring defense in the country, allowing just 15.9 points per game. However, that side of the ball has been severely lacking over the past couple seasons. In 2021, they allowed 29 points per game, and 2022 didn’t bring much improvement, allowing 28.3 points per game. New defensive coordinator David Braun was the FCS Coordinator of the Year in 2021 while with North Dakota State, and his scheme brought lasting success for the Bison. It may take a couple seasons, but this should be a group on the rise.

Rebuilding the Trenches

Both Peter Skoronski and Adetomiwa Adebawore left the program for the NFL this spring, and they will be extremely difficult to replace. However, this is a program that has had a knack for churning out NFL-level offensive tackles over the past couple years (Rashawn Slater in 2021 and now Skoronski in 2023).

Prediction

  1. L @ Rutgers
  2. W vs. UTEP
  3. W @ Duke
  4. L vs. Minnesota
  5. L vs. Penn State
  6. W vs. Howard
  7. L @ Nebraska
  8. L vs. Maryland
  9. L vs. Iowa
  10. L @ Wisconsin
  11. L vs. Purdue
  12. L @ Illinois
    Overall Record: 3-9 (0-9)
2023 College Football Catalog: Previewing the Purdue Boilermakers
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2023 College Football Catalog: Previewing the Purdue Boilermakers

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.