This is simply a bad match up for Northwestern a team that lacks any sort of defense and things can be even worse for them with a lack of experience this year and a remade defensive line. Northwestern does have Kain Colter who is a beast, but seems to lack a throwing ability. That's too bad because that's where Syracuse is weak. Syracuse's strength will be against the run and that's where their advantage comes in because Northwestern struggled big time to protect the QB last year and will be found shaking it up quite a bit in this game or for the season along OL. That's never a good thing against a team like Syracuse which will bring the heat with lots of blitzing from their talented linebackers that have the lateral explosion of safeties and can cover ground quickly. That's bad news for Colter who plans to be a runner for most of this game. Unfortunately Northwestern lacks a balance and toughness on offense to take advantage of Syracuse's size.
Don't sleep on Syracuses offense although they may have lost running backs that rushed over 1,000 yards in back to back years they have a north and south runner in Jerome Smith and an actual QB that could pass in senior Ryan Nassib. The knock on Nassib is he takes too many sacks - 29 last year, but we spoke about Northwestern inability to get in the backfield. That will allow Syracuse to have balance on offense and that will make them very hard to beat at home. IF you remember this team handily defeated West Virginia at home. If you are looking for an x-factor tune into Syracuses's Ashton Broyld, the 6-4 athlete has freakish athleticism and will be found throwing, running and catching the ball on Saturday.
This is a screwy line on paper especially with Iowa State beating Oklahoma State last year right? Well I think the strengths and weaknesses match up rather nicely in this spot and even know Tulsa lost their QB they should be in good shape to be another good team. Iowa State on the other hand has no balance on offense and it's no secret they want to run the ball. That plays into the hands of Tulsa's defense that returns 7 starters. They return both seniors on the interior who may not be household names, but are stout and very physical. It's the same group that ranked 16th in allowing just 3.3 ypc. The QB position is in flux and Steele Jantz will get the start for the Cyclones, but I'm not trusting them considering they were 107th in completion % and 105th in QB rating a year ago. With Bufford and Jackson on the inside Tulsa should be able to keep Iowa State's run first approach in check.
Tulsa on the other hand starts Cody Green at QB, the Nebraska transfer has the experience to pick up where GJ Kinne left off. He's backed by a trio of RB's including Watts/Douglas who combined for 7.8 ypc and 1764 yards. While Iowa State has 2 of the best linebacker duo's int he country they also have just 1 starter along the defensive line returning. They were also last in the Big 12 with just 17 sacks on the year so Green should have time to create a balanced offense while the defense will be opportunistic again in 2012 leading to a win!
