Minnesota Football: 2017 game-by-game predictions
By Shane Lunnen
The tough schedule stretch continues for Minnesota as a trip to Evanston looms large. The Gophers won last year’s matchup 29-12 in Minneapolis.
Quarterback Clayton Thorson and running back Justin Jackson will hope to improve the Wildcat’s fortunes on offense this year after an up and down year in 2016. Thorson threw for over 3,100 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. He’s also not afraid to run when he needs to do so. Jackson is a powerful runner that ran for over 1,500 yards last year. The offensive line is improving and brings back four of five starters.
The 2017 Wildcat defense could be one of head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s best units in his tenure at Northwestern. The strength will be in the secondary, where a returning starter will line up in every position. Senior safety Godwin Igwebuike leads the way. They’ll have to replace linebacker Anthony Walker who left early for the NFL, but they have a lot of depth at that position and Nate Hall looks to be a solid replacement. Hall is the second leading returning tackler with 73 tackles last year.
This will be an important game for both teams. Minnesota is trying to end their losing streak and fight for a more quality bowl game. Depending on how things shake out in the Big Ten West, Northwestern could still be in contention for a trip to the Big Ten championship game. The Gophers just won’t be able to contain the Thorson and Jackson combination and they will fall to the Wildcats.