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Northwestern Football: Will Wildcats secure another Big Ten West title?

By Dante Pryor

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 17: Trey Pugh #80 of the Northwestern Wildcats congratulates teammate Isaiah Bowser #25 on scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game at TCFBank Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Northwestern defeated Minnesota 24-14. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 17: Trey Pugh #80 of the Northwestern Wildcats congratulates teammate Isaiah Bowser #25 on scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game at TCFBank Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Northwestern defeated Minnesota 24-14. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – NOVEMBER 24: Isaiah Bowser #25 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ryan Field on November 24, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL – NOVEMBER 24: Isaiah Bowser #25 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ryan Field on November 24, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Hunter Johnson could be just what offense needs

For a while, Clayton Thorson was arguably the best prospect Northwestern ever had, but that was until former five-star and No. 2 quarterback prospect Hunter Johnson transferred from Clemson.

After being beat out for the starting job by Kelly Bryant, Johnson transferred to Northwestern and sat a year. Now that Thorson has graduated, the job belongs to Johnson who has some reliable targets to throw to with Ben Skowronek and Riley Lees leading the way.

What the Northwestern offense lacked last year was explosion.

The Wildcats played with so little margin last year because they couldn’t stretch the field and create big plays. Johnson has the arm to stretch the field but the question is will he have someone who gets downfield? Kyric McGowan and JJ Jefferson and their 17.7 and 18.1 yards per catch respectively are certainly candidates.

The run game should be solid behind sophomore Isaiah Bowser, and senior John Moten with redshirt freshman Drake Anderson getting some time as well. Johnson will add an element to the run game as well.

The offensive line was bad last season, and needs to improve on finishing dead-last in sacks allowed last season.

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