newyorkwolverine.com

“Defense wins championships.” It’s a cliche used in football circles for eons. A quick look at Northwestern’s coaching staff makes it clear. The Wildcats have some pretty familiar names on their defensive coaching staff. Safeties coach Harlan Barnett played at Michigan State, where he was named a first team All-American in 1989. Cornerbacks coach LaMarcus Hicks played at Iowa State, where he led the conference in interceptions during his senior year. 

With these coaches on the sideline, Northwestern has quietly built a very strong defense. This defense was on display last Saturday at Penn State. That defense should lead the way to a win over Purdue tomorrow. 

*-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. 

LSU 24, Vanderbilt 17 (V -2.5; O/U: 48.5)

James Madison 24, Old Dominion 22 (JMU -1.5; O/U: 47.5)

Northwestern 25, Purdue 21 (NW -3; O/U: 46.5)

Cornell 28, Bucknell 25 (C -2.5; O/U: 57.5)

NO SPREAD

Slippery Rock 30, Indiana University (PA) 21

(Season record, 12 wins, 11 losses, 1 push. .521 winning percentage)