Inside NU - Northwestern vs. Illinois Game Week HAT HAT HATRoll Damn 'Catshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52532/insidenu_fav.png2016-11-26T07:30:01-06:00http://www.insidenu.com/rss/stream/135162172016-11-26T07:30:01-06:002016-11-26T07:30:01-06:00Northwestern vs. Illinois predictions
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Minnesota" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BZrSCa7fr6dytbkWRVVXm4Meo5w=/0x0:2834x1889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52005555/usa_today_9690492.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Our staff doesn’t think the Wildcats will have much trouble.</p> <h1 id="tME05b">Sam Brief: Northwestern 35, Illinois 13</h1>
<p id="ZhOE28">Illinois possesses the ball for 25 minutes per game (second-worst in the country), averages 19.5 points (seventh-worst), converts 28.6 percent of third downs (second-worst) and has recorded the fewest number of first downs in the country. Even Rutgers’ numbers are better. Illinois is <em>bad</em>. If Northwestern loses, it’ll be an embarrassment. Coming off a putrid offensive performance at Minnesota, I expect a big-time rebound from Clayton Thorson & Co. on the offensive end, and for for a sputtering Illinois offense to do next-to-nothing against Northwestern’s defense—save a few garbage-time scores. Northwestern wins and locks up a bowl berth.</p>
<h1 id="DkEGn9">Martin Oppegaard: Northwestern 28, Illinois 7</h1>
<p id="ZSr1Ox">Illinois suffered its first shutout of the season to Iowa last week. On Saturday, the Illini will struggle to put up points again. This is a sputtering offense that has put up three points in its last eight quarters; I don’t see them scoring double-digits. As for Northwestern, Clayton Thorson takes care of the football, Austin Carr returns and finds the end zone to set the Northwestern receiving touchdown record, and Justin Jackson picks up his 10th touchdown of the year. Lovie Smith’s first season in Champaign comes to a listless end, while Northwestern secures a bowl berth. </p>
<h1 id="mMBODo">Caleb Friedman: Northwestern 31, Illinois 17</h1>
<p id="I8637Q">Northwestern is the better football team, and it will be evident Saturday. Illinois ranks 117th in defensive rushing S&P+, so I foresee Justin Jackson and John Moten IV having huge days. The Fighting Illini will also struggle to move the ball; they’re 119th in offensive S&P+. There will be some garbage time opportunities, so I think the game will be more lopsided than the final score may indicate. You can often throw records out the window in rivalry games, but the disparity between the teams is too big here. Northwestern ends the season on a high note.</p>
<h1 id="3F1EyG">Zach Pereles: Northwestern 28, Illinois 7</h1>
<p id="u6g8k0">The pattern to Northwestern’s season has become relatively simple: beat teams that are bad in the trenches and lose to teams that are good in the trenches, especially when it comes to the offensive line vs. the opponent’s defensive line. Illinois is awful in the trenches.</p>
<h1 id="Ee2Qh4">Rob Schaefer: Northwestern 38, Illinois 14</h1>
<p id="U3LNuQ">Northwestern wins this game for a lot of reasons, but paramount to all of them, Northwestern wins this game because it simply must. </p>
<h1 id="J19Q43">Josh Rosenblat: Northwestern 20, Illinois 17</h1>
<p id="OQurIh">Don’t be surprised if Illinois steals this one.</p>
<h1 id="79Cp9E">Will Ragatz: Northwestern 41, Illinois 20</h1>
<p id="ZzV82C">I’m not sure why, but I’m feeling a high-scoring affair to determine the home of the Land of Lincoln trophy for the next year. Northwestern shouldn’t have much trouble on offense against a very weak Illinois defense; look for big days from both Jackson and Thorson. The Illini will be in it at halftime but the superior talent of the Wildcats will help them pull away comfortably in the second half of a game they really need to win.</p>
<h1 id="xuK3a6">Tristan Jung (random number generator): Northwestern 19, Illinois 5:</h1>
<p id="N8Kv87">The random number generator has spoken. Bow down to its pure expression of existence. Also Illinois is bad.</p>
<h1 id="ajdEXU">Josh Burton: Northwestern 30, Illinois 10</h1>
<p id="TVXXM1">Part of me thinks worries that Northwestern is going to overlook the Fighting Illini and could lose this game in shocking fashion. But, the rational part of me realizes that Illinois is really bad and it would take a remarkably poor Wildcats effort to return the Hat to Champaign. I don’t see that happening.</p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/26/13741670/northwestern-wildcats-illinois-fighting-illini-predictions-the-hat-clayton-thorson-justin-jacksonInside NU Archives2016-11-26T06:30:02-06:002016-11-26T06:30:02-06:00How to watch Northwestern vs. Illinois
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UDcQZW7LtM8TLiOKzVL7KCvrGcQ=/0x0:3163x2109/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52005787/usa_today_8959075.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Northwestern looks to keep the Land of Lincoln trophy while notching a bowl berth.</p> <p id="zGevOO">Northwestern (5-6, 4-4 Big Ten) hosts Illinois (3-8, 2-6) at Ryan Field in Evanston as the Wildcats try to finally clinch bowl eligibility while beating their in-state rivals to claim the Land of Lincoln Trophy, known around these parts as The Hat.</p>
<p id="8zhoHy">The Wildcats’ 29-12 loss at Minnesota last week set Northwestern’s quest toward a bowl back a bit, but with the Fighting Illini — who lost 28-0 to Iowa on Saturday — coming to town, Pat Fitzgerald’s team should have a good chance to nab that elusive sixth win.</p>
<p id="oZvQ53">Their 24-14 win at Soldier Field last season gave the Wildcats their 49th win over Illinois since the two teams started playing each other in 1892, but the historical series is still in favor of the Illini (55-49-5).</p>
<p id="lpEZgk">Here’s all of our preview content from the week to ready you for today’s game:</p>
<ul>
<li id="dKV6dv">The <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/21/13703172/northwestern-week-thirteen-depth-chart-Illinois-Fighting-Illini-preview-lineup">depth chart</a> didn’t feature any notable changes from the week before.</li>
<li id="2Q2OqB">Pat Fitzgerald, Justin Jackson, Eric Olson, Tyler Lancaster and Godwin Igwebuike <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/21/13703030/pat-fitzgerald-week-13-press-conference-notes-illinois-hat-rivalry-minnesota-igwebuike-jackson-olson">spoke to the media</a> on Monday about the Minnesota loss and, of course, the annual matchup with Illinois.</li>
<li id="gsBm1S">Linebacker Cameron Queiro <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/20/13693688/northwestern-wildcats-linebacker-cameron-queiro-retiring-from-football-concussions-matt-harris">announced on Facebook</a> that he is retiring from football due to concussions. Queiro (along with Matthew Harris) is the second Wildcat to retire this season.</li>
<li id="nW7AaD">A week after he was named a semifinalist, wide receiver Austin Carr was <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/21/13708154/biletnikoff-award-finalists-austin-carr-northwestern-dede-westbrook-oklahoma-zay-jones-east-carolina">announced as a Biletnikoff Award finalist</a>. The award recognizes the nation’s “most outstanding receiver.”</li>
<li id="6ZADA4">We broke down the <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/24/13729674/northwestern-illinois-football-preview-hat-three-matchups-to-watch">game’s three most important</a> matchups.</li>
<li id="7zHc1t">What do you <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/23/13735278/illinois-fighting-illini-football-northwestern-wildcats-preview-football-big-ten-lovie-smith">need to know</a> about the struggling Fighting Illini? Most of it is pretty negative for Illinois and head coach Lovie Smith.</li>
<li id="fUpmUz">Assuming Northwestern takes care of business against Illinois, <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/23/13731752/football-bowl-projections-northwestern-new-era-pinstripe-bowl-foster-farms-bowl-week-13">many writers</a> have the Wildcats playing in the Pinstripe Bowl.</li>
<li id="ydKJox">Per our Will Ragatz, <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/23/13720932/northwestern-illinois-football-preview-bowl-game-eligibility-academic-proress-rate-pat-fitzgerald">Saturday’s game means more</a> than just a possible sixth win for Northwestern.</li>
<li id="cW1qrj">Big news: Austin Carr is <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/25/13748432/northwestern-football-injury-report-austin-carr-concussion-jayle-prater?_ga=1.223067544.263336896.1479923278">good to go</a>.</li>
<li id="TRZmu3">While we as a staff expect Northwestern to beat Illinois, <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/25/13742232/why-northwestern-will-won-t-beat-illinois">there are definitely ways</a> the Wildcats can lose this game.</li>
<li id="hORgeV">Much of Northwestern’s offensive struggles result from <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/25/13719724/northwestern-minnesota-stats-short-yardage-illinois-clayton-thorson-pat-fitzgerald">ineffective play</a> in short-yardage situations.</li>
<li id="kZxfoA">
<a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/24/13734364/inside-nu-thanksgiving-austin-carr-vic-law-pat-fitzgerald">We are thankful</a>, as a staff, for a lot of Northwestern players. A bunch of us are really thankful for Austin Carr.</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="uRUBon">Broadcast Information</h1>
<p id="FGwZ40"><strong>Game time:</strong> 11:00 a.m. CT</p>
<p id="nTFzwe"><strong>TV channel: </strong>Big Ten Network</p>
<p id="KAzgT5"><strong>Online streaming: </strong><a href="http://btn2go.com">btn2go.com</a></p>
<p id="LpzKeD"><strong>Mobile: </strong>BTN2go</p>
<p id="srDHMd"><strong>Radio: </strong>WGN 720, WNUR 89.3, Sirius Internet 969, Sirius 112, XM 195</p>
<p id="e7nqUH"><strong>Betting line: </strong>Northwestern -17</p>
<p id="Gj2hb6"><strong>Over/under: </strong>45.5 points</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/26/13750892/northwestern-illinois-game-time-tv-channel-football-predictions-online-streaming-radio-betting-lineJosh Burton2016-11-25T13:56:49-06:002016-11-25T13:56:49-06:00Northwestern Week 13 injury report vs. Illinois
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<img alt="Northwestern v Michigan State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jHgvG408-GNvjfCspdNcae7C-Co=/0x16:2105x1419/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52001863/614898938.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Austin Carr is healthy</p> <p id="bjY49f">Northwestern got some major good news this week on its injury report, as star wide receiver Austin Carr is not listed on the injury report, meaning he will start against Illinois this weekend.</p>
<p id="nmEASS">Carr left last weekend’s game versus Minnesota after a scary hit to the head. The Minnesota defensive back was ejected for targeting on the play and Carr did not return. However, the Biletnikoff finalist will be ready to go as Northwestern hopes to keep the HAT.</p>
<p id="8Kt4eM">In other injury news, linebacker Jaylen Prater remains out. He has missed the past several games. The senior has been replaced by Brett Walsh in the starting lineup, and Walsh has been quite active racking up 32 tackles this season.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/25/13748432/northwestern-football-injury-report-austin-carr-concussion-jayle-praterZach Pereles2016-11-25T11:50:24-06:002016-11-25T11:50:24-06:00Why Northwestern will/won’t beat Illinois
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/37OyeCRffEvDqR4sHS_-CuZmubA=/0x172:4117x2917/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52000895/usa_today_8970711.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>One is Chicago’s Big Ten team, and the other... Well, the other is Illinois.</p> <p id="YOrnVT"><em>Every week during football season, we'll be presenting reasons why Northwestern will or won't come away from its Saturday game victorious. It's not so much an argument for or against either result as it is envisioning the scenarios in which the Wildcats come away from the game with a win or a loss.</em></p>
<p id="OvrPIX"><em>Northwestern (5-6, 4-4 B1G) play host to intrastate rival Illinois (3-8, 2-6 B1G) at Ryan Field this Saturday with its second consecutive opportunity to clinch a bowl berth. After falling in ugly fashion to Minnesota last weekend, the Wildcats face a slightly less intimidating opponent in the Illini this weekend. However, this doesn’t mean the visitors won’t pose some challenges for NU as they look to reach their second bowl game in as many years. Here are three reasons why Northwestern will or won’t win Saturday:</em></p>
<h1 id="LgbzD0">Why Northwestern will beat Illinois</h1>
<h2 id="1f0Uxr">1. Justin Jackson will set the tone</h2>
<p id="1vpLhp">This scenario is a necessity if Northwestern wants to win this game and wants to win handily. And it’s easy to see it happening. Jackson is the second-leading rusher in the Big Ten running for a team with its season on the line going up against one of the worst run defenses in the conference with nothing to play for but pride. It thus seems reasonable to expect that Jackson will show up, Northwestern’s offensive line will show up and Illinois’ front seven won’t. If this all happens, NU should be able to ride Jackson to 6-6 and bowl eligibility. </p>
<h2 id="NLiP0y">2. Northwestern’s hobbled secondary will feast on Illinois’ impotent passing attack</h2>
<p id="aS8o62">While Northwestern’s secondary has had its ups and downs in the 2016 season, it goes without question that this has been the weakest unit on this football team. Much of that can be attributed to injuries, but the point stands. Luckily for the Wildcats, though, their opponent this weekend hasn’t had great success through their air to this point of the year. Illinois ranks last in the Big Ten (of every team that isn’t Rutgers) in scoring offense, total yards per game, passing yards per game and passing efficiency, which obviously bodes well for NU. Look for the secondary to play aggressive in trying to turn the tide of this game early if the offense can get off to a fast start. </p>
<h2 id="SKDZI4">3. It has to</h2>
<p id="SNsXBw">It’s no secret that this is a must-win affair for Northwestern. Although bowl eligibility is mildly feasible even with a loss, the Wildcats simply must seize this opportunity to take their destiny into their own hands after letting one slip through their paws last weekend. It’s been a tumultuous season for Northwestern, but it has a chance this weekend to end it on a high note and salvage success out of a campaign that looked bleak just two weeks in. Pat Fitzgerald, the rest of the Northwestern coaching staff and the players all realize this, and should come out ready to thoroughly dominate the Illini on their home turf Saturday. </p>
<h1 id="VUYt0a">Why Northwestern won’t beat Illinois</h1>
<h2 id="5ZI2oR">1. The offensive line will struggle again</h2>
<p id="kJvyJC">Northwestern’s success as an offense undoubtedly hinges on its three most important offensive players: Clayton Thorson, Jackson and Austin Carr. Further, the success of all three of <em>them</em> is directly proportional to the performance of the offensive line. In a game (against Minnesota last weekend) where Thorson was sacked seven times and Jackson could muster only 90 yards on the ground (short of his season average of 102.5), the Wildcat offense managed only 12 points and suffered an ugly loss. This is a unit that’s been great in spurts but overall inconsistent throughout the year, and if they don’t show up Saturday, Northwestern is going to have a near impossible time putting points on the scoreboard. </p>
<h2 id="xRlNIU">2. Illinois will start fast</h2>
<p id="vFWjwg">Northwestern would be best served in this one to come out aggressive, jump in front early and spend most of this contest conserving/padding their advantage. The same goes for the Illini, but, obviously, this is easier said than done. The key for NU will be to avoid mistakes early in the game. Northwestern is clearly the better of the two teams and silly turnovers, breakdowns in coverage (both in the secondary or in the return game) will only level the playing field. If Illinois can get the Northwestern playing from behind, as its had to do all too often this season, the pressure of the game will play a larger factor than the Wildcats would probably like it to. </p>
<h2 id="80w4Zh">3. Illinois will thrive in its role as spoiler</h2>
<p id="GtTX6T">On paper, there is no reason Northwestern shouldn’t run away with this one. Their season is on the line, they’re playing at home and they excel in many areas that Illinois has struggled to counter throughout this season. But if these past few months of college football have taught us anything, it’s that - sometimes - sh*t don’t make sense. If Illinois comes out and reverses every narrative, shuts down Jackson, moves the ball through the air, smothers Thorson and his weapons (you get the idea), it could be a long and frustrating afternoon for the Wildcats in Evanston Saturday.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/25/13742232/why-northwestern-will-won-t-beat-illinoisRob Schaefer2016-11-25T08:02:01-06:002016-11-25T08:02:01-06:00Short yardage struggles come back to bite
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Minnesota" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vAhyJRGEuH63yFtNZwi-AqyxRdc=/0x0:3968x2645/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51997127/usa_today_9690469.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Wildcats must be more efficient and cash in on redzone opportunities</p> <p id="GlI7No">Looking back on it, the outcome of Northwestern vs. Minnesota shouldn’t have been a surprise; neither was the way we got there. All season, the Wildcats have been simply atrocious punching the ball in the endzone and executing in the red zone, and it once again showed in the Wildcats’ 29-12 loss to the Golden Gophers. The Wildcats came into the game ranked <a href="http://stats.ncaa.org/team/509/12424">126th in the country</a> in red zone offense, converting just 70.6 percent of the time.</p>
<p id="fykCvt">This lack of execution when the field becomes tight and the plays matter most was quite apparent against the Golden Gophers. Twice, Northwestern was stopped inside its opponent's 15 yard line with just one yard to go for a first down. NU also missed two two-point conversions after it did manage a score.</p>
<p id="e4IB98">Minnesota wasn't overly impressive as an offensive counterpart, but the Gophers at least managed to continually put points on the board. While NU’s Jack Mitchell missed his only field-goal attempt of the game, Emmit Carpenter went 3-for-3 on field goals. Minnesota has been solid this year inside the 20, ranking 35th in redzone offense.</p>
<p id="48dauu">Minnesota has won this year thanks to a good defense and solid running game, but had to lean almost exclusively on the former. Rodney Smith was completely gobbled up, recording 32 yards on only 16 carries. Shannon Brooks managed to find some space to salvage the attack, rushing for 73 yards on 14 attempts, and it was enough to propel Minnesota. The Wildcats encountered too much pressure as quarterback Clayton Thorson was sacked seven times, and the Golden Gophers tallied 12 tackles for loss, making their presence known in the Wildcats’ backfield all day long.</p>
<p id="5Sta85">It wasn’t as if the Wildcats missed out on opportunities. They had <em>six</em> possessions that reached the Minnesota side of the field. They came away with just 12 points, though. That’s unbelievably inefficient. For contrast, the Gophers scored 29 points in just five trips. And it comes down to simple breakdowns, especially in short-yardage situations both between the 20s and inside the redzone. Northwestern cannot miss out on opportunities against any opponent, but especially against a quality opponent like Minnesota. Saturday versus Illinois gives Pat Fitzgerald’s team not only a change to win a tangible object (<a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2014/11/24/7274071/hat-hat-hat-hat-hat-hat-hat-hat-hat-hat-hat-hat-hat-hat">HAT</a>), but also execute better in key situations. If it doesn’t, the Wildcats could struggle once again.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/25/13719724/northwestern-minnesota-stats-short-yardage-illinois-clayton-thorson-pat-fitzgeraldBrian McGuire2016-11-24T11:14:04-06:002016-11-24T11:14:04-06:00What we’re thankful for this Thanksgiving
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Minnesota" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Q0JkXyUS8DJ7torKnblaV3SKcNs=/0x0:3809x2539/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51992431/usa_today_9688997.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Happy Thanksgiving from Inside NU!</p> <p id="bg7uEq"><strong>Zach Pereles: </strong>This year I’m thankful for Austin Carr, for two reasons. You know what he’s done on the field — go vote for him for <a href="https://chorus.voxmedia.com/editor/7441e1e7-1fd3-4019-810e-62a25565a22e">the Biletnikoff</a> while you’re at it — and it’s been nothing short of spectacular. He’s become one of the best players in the nation, and in strictly football terms, he’s done this team a world of good. He’s the only true downfield threat and, along with Clayton Thorson, he has allowed this offense to be somewhat balanced.</p>
<p id="9zGUCk">But off the field, Carr is a great ambassador for the university. He’s involved with a ton of off-field organizations and just a fantastic overall guy who will make a difference in his community post-Northwestern, whether that’s in the NFL or in everyday life. I sincerely hope a guy who has given so much to this program can participate on his Senior Day.</p>
<p id="VWniBj"><strong>Sam Brief: </strong>ZP stole Austin Carr from right under me, so I’m thankful for Touchdown Trevor Siemian. Yes, he’s cooled down a bit after starting 4-0 as a starter, but Northwestern having a starting QB on a really solid NFL team is a blessing. The trust John Elway and Gary Kubiak have placed in him should make all Northwestern fans honored to an extent. He might be Denver’s starting QB, but at heart, he’s <em>our </em>starting QB. I’m forever thankful for Touchdown Trevor.</p>
<p id="xLhCyL"><strong>Caleb Friedman: </strong>I know football rules the day on Thanksgiving, but I’ll go to the hardwood for my pick: I’m thankful for Vic Law. Law is back after missing all of last season, and he has completely changed the dynamic of Northwestern basketball. He’s averaging 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season, and gives the Chris Collins a new dimension on the wing. Yes, it’s early in the season, but Law is shooting a ridiculous 70 percent from three-point range, and he’s the best perimeter threat Northwestern has. A string of impressive performances against good competition has the Wildcats thinking about a postseason appearance, and Law is at the center of it.</p>
<p id="TA93Fq"><strong>Chris Grismer:</strong> I’m thankful for Scottie Lindsey. Now in his third season, Lindsey has blossomed into a versatile offensive weapon, more than holding his own in the starting lineup. While all the spotlight has been on Vic Law, Lindsey has been the team’s second-best player this year. Through five games, he’s averaging 14.6 points a night and a blistering 45.5% from downtown. With a history of steady improvement, the best is yet to come for Lindsey.</p>
<p id="9LzFm3"><strong>Ian McCafferty: </strong>I’ll bring us back to football by saying that I’m thankful for Pat Fitzgerald. As we see year after year, finding a good head coach is very difficult, but Northwestern’s has had the right man for the job for years now. Say what you want about this season, but Northwestern did not look like a bowl quality team after the first two weeks of the season. The job Fitzgerald has done this year, and really every year, to whip the team into the shape is impressive.</p>
<p id="kFahoX"><strong>Josh Burton:</strong> I’m thankful for Dererk Pardon. It’s not the most obvious pick, but the development he has undergone just from his freshman year has been cool to watch so far and it’s clear he has a bright future. A legitimate rim-protector is something Northwestern knew it needed when Alex Olah graduated, and Pardon has filled that role to a tee. Just his presence down low can change how the opposition attacks the paint, and as we saw in the Notre Dame game — when he blocked seven shots — that makes an enormous difference.</p>
<p id="3tHuNp"><strong>Rob Schaefer: </strong>I’m going to come way out of left field with this one, but this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for Northwestern women’s soccer. You heard me. This is a team that boasted the best defense in the nation all season, won the Big Ten regular season crown and just advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament (the farthest they’d been since 1998) before being knocked out by Duke. In a time when the Northwestern football team’s bowl dreams hinge on a final-week showdown with Illinois, the men’s basketball team has still never clinched an NCAA Tournament berth (optimism for this year aside) and the women’s basketball team hasn’t been out of the first round of said tournament since 1993, let’s appreciate postseason success at NU when we see it! </p>
<p id="QN3ljn"><strong>Martin Oppegaard: </strong>I’m thankful for Jim Phillips. Not many schools have an Athletic Director that is as involved as Phillips is. He’s done so much for Northwestern, including signing off on the new lakeside athletic facility as well as the renovations for Welsh-Ryan Arena. Perhaps more importantly, Phillips attends as many Northwestern games as he physically can, no matter the sport. Wishing Jim and his family a very happy Thanksgiving today! </p>
<p id="UOGzZf"><em>From all of us at Inside NU, we are thankful for you, our readers! Happy Thanksgiving, Wildcat fans.</em></p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/24/13734364/inside-nu-thanksgiving-austin-carr-vic-law-pat-fitzgeraldInside NU Archives2016-11-24T09:14:03-06:002016-11-24T09:14:03-06:00Northwestern vs. Illinois: Three matchups to watch
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xnbEY-5V024bAL_meXPMaSmKeoc=/0x0:4040x2693/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51991447/usa_today_8958756.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>If Northwestern can win in the trenches, it should cruise to a victory and bowl berth Satuday. </p> <h2 id="Pz8Qd9">Justin Jackson vs. Illinois front seven </h2>
<p id="Y9TI66">Justin Jackson vs. {insert team name here} front seven is a matchup to watch for Northwestern every week, and for good reason. This team, to a degree, goes as Jackson goes, and coming off an abysmal offensive performance in Minnesota last weekend, he’ll need to establish a rhythm early and often if Northwestern wants to secure a bowl berth on Saturday. For evidence of Jackson’s impact on Northwestern’s success - both offensively and as a team - look no further than his splits between wins and losses. In victories, JJ is averaging 134.8 yards (4.9 per carry) on the ground compared to 75.5 (4.1 per carry) in defeats and he carries the ball nearly ten times more per game in wins. Additionally, Illinois ranks in the bottom half of the Big Ten in rush yards allowed, surrendering 213.8 per contest. If Jackson is running efficiently and in high volume, expect success for Northwestern. </p>
<h2 id="CC4E3Z">Clayton Thorson vs. Illinois defensive line</h2>
<p id="QC6Kmw">Illinois hasn’t boasted the most prolific pass rush in the 2016 campaign (23 sacks in 11 games, actually the same number as Northwestern), but the performance of NU’s offensive line week-to-week this season has been anything but linear. If the Wildcats get backed up in long down-and-distance scenarios and the Illini dial up their pass rush, keep an eye on how Clayton Thorson performs in the face of pressure. For as much progress as Thorson has made this season, he’s still mistake-prone and often anxious in the pocket. This matchup is truly going to be decided on the line, but the onus still falls on Thorson to not make mistakes in a game Northwestern should win handily. </p>
<h2 id="NCb54S">Kendrick Foster vs. Northwestern front seven</h2>
<p id="Ff81kJ">It feels like we’re repeating themes here, but, again, there’s good reason. Neither of these teams sports (consistently) dynamic passing attacks, so it’s reasonable to expect that much of this contest will be played on the ground. While Northwestern’s front seven (and defense as a whole) was fairly steady throughout the team’s 29-12 loss to Minnesota, an inability to set the edge on outside runs in key moments (i.e. the first drive of the game) cost the Wildcats in a big way Saturday. Kendrick Foster, Illinois’ leading rusher, has been a bright spot in a bleak campaign for the Illini; in his junior year he’s rushed for 721 yards (5.8 per carry) and seven touchdowns, including a 146 yard, two touchdown performance against Michigan State three weeks ago. If Northwestern can prevent him from breaking out in similar fashion this weekend, it’ll go a long way towards stifling Illinois’ offense as a whole.</p>
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https://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/24/13729674/northwestern-illinois-football-preview-hat-three-matchups-to-watchRob Schaefer2016-11-23T16:01:00-06:002016-11-23T16:01:00-06:00Three things to know about the Illinois Fighting Illini
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<figcaption>Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It is NOT Chicago’s Big Ten team</p> <h1 id="oa9D6h">1. The Fighting Illini cannot stop the run.</h1>
<p id="iw1xMM">Illinois ranks <a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaadef">117th in rush defense</a> S&P+ and don’t have a defensive lineman among its top six tacklers (which features two linebackers and three defensive backs). The Illini have surrendered over 200 yards on the ground to six of their eight Big Ten opponents so far (even Purdue went over 200 yards), and the two teams that didn’t go over 200, Minnesota and Michigan State, both went over 170. It’s been an absolutely dismal year for the Illini front seven, and Northwestern should be able to impose itself in that area after getting thoroughly beaten in that area in two of the past three contests. Expect a big, big day from Justin Jackson and maybe John Moten IV as well.</p>
<h1 id="vT0Gy9">2. The Illini are behind the chains way too often, and they’re rarely successful from there.</h1>
<p id="whMIWq">Illinois ranks <a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff">113th in success rate</a>, with success rate being percent of plays that qualify as “successful” by Football Outsiders (50 percent of necessary yardage on first down, 70 percent on second down, and 100 percent on third and fourth down.). That putrid mark is especially damaging when the Illini rank 103rd on passing down S&P+ (essentially when the team is behind the chains — 2nd and 8+, 3rd/4th and 5+). So a major key for the Wildcats will be keeping the Illini behind the chains and not allowing a trio of pretty good running backs to allow the visitors to establish any semblance of offensive balance.</p>
<h1 id="awkMOM">3. Though the Illini are bad, they can be explosive</h1>
<p id="Qdhxn4">Lovie Smith’s team <a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff">is</a> 119th in offensive S&P+ overall, but its 61st in Isolated Points per Play+, a category that loosely measures explosiveness. That’s the biggest difference between the two categories <em>in the nation</em>. Kendrick Foster, Reggie Corbin and KeShawn Vaughn form a fantastic trio in the backfield, and each averages greater than five yards per carry, led by Corbin’s team-best 7.0 yards per carry. That’s the main source of explosiveness, as none of the receivers average more than 15 yards per catch. Leading receiver Malik Turner has had a couple big plays, though no one else has done much down the field.</p>
https://www.insidenu.com/2016/11/23/13735278/illinois-fighting-illini-football-northwestern-wildcats-preview-football-big-ten-lovie-smithZach Pereles