Syracuse opens its season Saturday against Northwestern, a team that features an explosive dual-threat quarterback and a defense looking to improve from a disappointing 2011 season. The Daily Orange spoke to Josh Walfish of the The Daily Northwestern at Northwestern University to get a better look at what to expect from the Wildcats:

The D.O.: What needs to happen for the Northwestern defense to improve from last season’s disappointing performance?

Walfish: The key for Northwestern’s defense this season will be the front seven. They are the most experienced unit on the team and will need to lead by example. A poor pass rush last season left a shaky secondary out to dry and the whole defense suffered. In its upset over Nebraska last season, Northwestern’s defensive front seven probably had its best game, limiting how much damage the potent Cornhuskers running game was able to inflict. If the front seven come to play, the Northwestern defense will make tremendous strides.

The D.O.: How much of an upgrade does Dean Lowry bring to the defensive line?

Walfish: Dean Lowry has certainly been impressive this fall to earn a spot on the two-deep as a true freshman. However, his biggest asset may be he adds depth to a defensive line that did not have that luxury last season. The other backup defensive end, redshirt freshman Deonte Gibson, came back from a knee injury and really impressed people in the spring which gives the Wildcats some capable fresh legs to rush the quarterback on third downs.

The D.O.: How much does Kain Colter elevate Northwestern’s spread offense? Also, how does he compare to Dan Persa?

Walfish: Kain Colter’s athleticism makes him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks to ever run the spread at Northwestern. His ability to make plays with his feet is superior to that of Dan Persa. The only thing Colter does not do better than Persa is arm strength and accuracy because he is still building it back up from shoulder surgery in high school. His strength has improved since last season and he is not all that inaccurate, although it is tough to follow in the footsteps of the most accurate passer in NCAA history. Nonetheless, Colter allows offensive coordinator Mick McCall to really use more wrinkles to his offense he couldn’t use with Persa at the helm.

The D.O.: Does Northwestern look like a team prepared to make any strides in the Big Ten?

Walfish: Although we may not see it this year, Northwestern has stepped up in recruiting and might have the most talented team in the last 10 years. Getting players like Ifeadi Odenigbo to come play in Evanston builds a solid foundation for the Wildcats to take a run at a Big Ten title in the next couple of years. If Pat Fitzgerald can continue to recruit good talent to Northwestern, he could put the dark ages of the 1970s way in the rear view mirror and make this team a perennial bowl participant.

The D.O.: What’s going to be the biggest key for Northwestern to get to a bowl game and finally win one this season?

Walfish: If Northwestern wants to win a bowl game this season, they will need to put together a full 60 minutes. It struggled to do that last season outside of the game against Nebraska and it cost them at least three wins. No surprise the play of the defense, especially an inexperienced secondary,  will also be a key to winning a bowl game.

– Compiled by Chris Iseman, asst. sports editor, cjiseman@syr.edu

Published on August 30, 2012 at 2:56 am