It’s finally bowl game week.
After a nearly month-long break, the Northwestern Wildcats (6-6, 4-5 B1G) will finally be back in action this Friday against Central Michigan (7-5, 5-3 MAC) in the GameAbove
Sports Bowl. The ‘Cats should be heavily favored in this contest given their superior strength of schedule, but the Chippewas have had some success this season, so an upset isn’t completely out of the question. Here are three keys for NU to come away with a comfortable victory.
Run more, pass less
It sounds archaic, but the best way for the ‘Cats to avoid disaster against Central Michigan is to lean on the running game that has kept them competitive in so many contests this season. Caleb Komolafe is expected to be back for the bowl game, and while Joseph Himon II’s status is more unclear, the Wildcats should feel comfortable leaning on the running game regardless.
It’s not just Komolafe who has fueled success in the trenches this season. Northwestern’s offensive line has done a standout job as well, giving Preston Stone a solid amount of protection while opening up massive holes for a wide variety of running backs to hit.
There’s no doubt that Stone can have a great game against the Chippewas, who rank 50th-best in the FBS with an average of 207.2 passing yards allowed per game. But Central Michigan’s run defense is more vulnerable, ranking only 73rd-best with an average of 151.4 rushing yards allowed per contest. After a month off, Stone’s timing and mechanics could certainly be rusty, meaning the Wildcats must do everything possible to establish the run and get their quarterback comfortable early.
Maintain stamina with the interior defensive line
Central Michigan doesn’t have a true “bellcow” back, but it does have four players with 394 or more rushing yards and 4.3 or more yards per carry on the season. Running backs Brock Townsend, Nahree Biggins and Trey Cornist have all been productive this year, and that’s not to mention quarterback Angel Flores, who is a big threat to run the football when he spells Joe Labas as the signal-caller.
Flores is expected to play against Northwestern after missing his previous four games, meaning the ‘Cats will need to plan for his rushing ability while also trying to stop the Chippewas’ running backs. That necessitates solid play from the defensive line, which must create consistent penetration at the line of scrimmage without getting worn down by constant changes of pace.
Central Michigan will certainly have an advantage in the fact that its multi-pronged attack allows each runner to retain fresh legs for longer. The Wildcats must find a way to respond and limit the ground game nonetheless.
Win the turnover battle
This sounds cliche (and it is), but the Chippewas do not give away the ball a lot, while forcing a lot of turnovers. Thus far, they’ve accumulated a plus-8 turnover margin. Meanwhile, the Wildcats’ margin is at minus-4, much of which is due to Stone’s 12 interceptions on the season.
Since the disastrous Tulane game, Stone has managed to quell the interception woes somewhat, but he did throw three in his last game against Illinois, reigniting concerns surrounding his ability to avoid mistakes. The ‘Cats do have eight picks of their own on defense, but Central Michigan’s QBs have thrown just six interceptions combined all season.
Those numbers make it seem unlikely that a multi-turnover game is on the way for the Chippewas’ signal-callers, putting even more pressure on Stone to make the right reads and avoid forcing throws. Having receivers like Griffin Wilde and Hayden Eligon II should be immensely helpful against a Group of Five team like Central Michigan. Still, Stone must resist the urge to play hero ball, focusing instead on making smart, well-timed throws and managing the offense to secure a win in his final collegiate game.
