2010 NCAA Football Preview: Northern Illinois
Winning at a school that does not commit a ton of resources (like the Texas, Florida, and Ohio States of college football) can be difficult. It forces a coach to figure out how to really get the most out of what he has. For 12 years, former head coach Joe Novak did just that for the Huskies of Northern Illinois.
The road was not always an easily travelled one, but with some patience from the university, Novak was able to put together some competitive teams for the Huskies over the years. Four times he led the team to a piece of the MAC West crown (winning it out right in 2005), twice he led them to bowl games, and in 2003 saw the team reach as high as tenth in the BCS standings (twelfth in the AP and fourteenth in the Coach’s Poll) on the way to a 10-2 record.
Jerry Kill, a close friend of Novak’s, was named the new head coach when Novak stepped down following the 2007 season. The team had fallen on hard times in Novak’s final year going 2-10, but Kill was able to quickly get them back on track. In his first two seasons, he has led the team to two bowl berths. If they can survive a very tough stretch early on in the 2010 season, they could make it three in a row for the first time in school history.
Offence
For the Huskies to compete in the MAC conference they will need to get some better play out of their third year starter, Chandler Harnish. In two seasons as a starter, he has only thrown for 3198 yards, 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Kill has brought in Jim Zebrowski from division III Wisconsin-Whitewater to tutor him along. Zebrowski was the offensive coordinator behind Whitewater’s two recent National Championships (2007 and 2009).
He’ll need some help from his skill position players, which is fine since he has some good ones. Chad Spann is as good as they come in the MAC. Last season, he rushed for 1038 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. Jasmin Hopkins will likely work into the mix as well. As a junior college player in 2009, he ran for more yards than any other back. Cameron Bell will be a converted linebacker that will compete for time after transferring over from Iowa State.
Where the team could hurt is in the offensive line. The best two players from the group last season are gone. As of spring practice, they have ten guys vying for time. Harnish will need the line to come together and gel quickly if he is going to improve.
Defence
Defensively the group was quietly among the better in the nation last season. Against the pass they ranked 41st, against the run 35th, and overall 30th. Against the run they were the third ranked unit in the conference and number one overall. With nine starters returning this season there is every reason to expect the unit to be even better in 2010.
The secondary was the weaker part of the team last season (41st in the nation; sixth in the conference), but was not too bad. Kill has a lot of confidence that the group will be even better this year after gaining valuable experience in 2009. Cornerback Patrick George has improved each season and should have the chance to shine along with fellow cornerback Chris Smith. Safety Tracy Wilson more than doubled his production making 93 tackles in 2009 (he had 43 in 2008).
Up front, the line should be in great shape as well. The Huskies have a habit of rotating their linemen, making sure that no one gets too tired and also giving younger players a chance to get some experience.
Looking ahead into 2010, it is safe to say that the Huskies have the ability and talent to stop whoever they play. The only question is whether or not the offence will be able to score enough to win the game.
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