Northwestern is another team that can be a bit perplexing at times. After sitting atop the UMAC for the better part of the 2000s, they have slipped in recent years falling to 5-5, 1-8, and 6-4. The Eagles will look to re-find past dominance and end this season with a conference record closer to 7-2 or 8-1. They will have to jump over three tough teams which finished ahead of them last season in Scholastica, Greenville, and Westminster to do so, however.
On the offensive side of the ball, Northwestern returns some key players including quarterback Josh Balzer who heads into his third year as the team's signal caller. Other key returners include running back Tim Youtzy who had his season cut short with an injury in 2011 and Brian Lecheler who was an all-conference kick returner. They will need to find some new weapons this year as they lose to graduation first-team all conference players in WR Chad Rusinkovich and RB Josh Young who between them accounted for nearly half of the team's offense. Defensively, Northwestern will have to replace DE Dave Kleiner who finally graduates after what has felt like forever to opponents. The Eagles also lose all-conference players in their secondary including Luke Delain and Ben Anderson. They do return some talent, though, in the form of reigning UMAC Lineman of the Year Josh Swore who finished the season with 8.5 sacks as well as senior linebacker Kendall Somerlot.
Prediction: Last season, the Eagles finished with a 6-3 conference record. This feels like about a 6-3 team to me this season that could potentially swing to 5-4 or 7-2. Much of their fate will be decided by senior quarterback Josh Balzer who needs to prove that he is a top quarterback in the conference for this team to finish where they would like to. Tough road games against Westminster, Eureka, and Scholastica make me believe this team will finish 5-4 and in fifth place. However, don't be surprised if they are able to steal a game from a top team.
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