Northwestern Wildcats Preview 2022: Season Prediction, Team Breakdown

Pat Fitzgerald is in his 17th year at Northwestern. He has a record of 109-90. Northwestern finished the last season with a 3-9 record.

Northwestern had a 3-9 season last year. The team didn't score more than 14 points in any of the six games and in seven of last eight. Pat Fitzgerald had two straight 5-7 seasons in 2013 and 2014. Northwestern has to make teams play its style and the defense must be great.

The 2020 Northwestern team didn't score more than 28 points in the season. The offensive line should be better this year. Running game that averaged 144 yards per game has to do more. Evan Hull and Andrew Clair are experienced enough to be at least as good as last year's team.

Ryan Hilinski and Brendan Sullivan are competing to be Northwestern's starting quarterback. Malik Washington caught 44 passes for 578 yards and two touchdowns last season. Northwestern needs more playmakers on the field.

The 2020 version of Northwestern's defense allowed just 4.86 yards per play. Last year's team allowed 6.15 yards a play, which was the second worst in the Big Ten overall.

Northwestern lost a lot of players, including Brandon Joseph, who led the team with two interceptions. The defensive front is undergoing an overhaul. The secondary lost BrandonJoseph, but the other starters should be back. Cameron Mitchell and AJ Hampton will be the cornerbacks.