Northwestern capped off a 7-5 campaign last year with a trip to the Sun Bowl where they fell to 50-38 to UCLA after jumping ahead 22-0. Now, new head coach Pat Fitzgerald and new quarterback Mike Kafka must overcome more than just a tough loss – they must overcome the death of coach Randy Walker, 52. With heavy hearts, the Wildcats open the season at Miami (Ohio), then follow with three more non-conference games before embarking on a grueling Big Ten schedule. Their conference slate features four preseason top-25 teams: No. 1 Ohio State, No. 14 Michigan, No. 16 Iowa and No. 19 Penn State. Here is the breakdown of the 2006-07 roster:

Offense:

Garrick McGee, who spent two seasons as the Cats’ wide receivers coach, inherits one of the nation’s most potent offenses as he takes the offensive reigns from Mike Dunbar, who left for the same position at California. The Cats’ trademark spread offense was fourth in the nation last season, averaging 500.3 yards per game. With eight returning starters, look for the offense to have another big year if first-year starter Mike Kafka can handle the pressure of being a Big Ten quarterback.

Quarterback:

Projected starter: Mike Kafka (R-Fr.)

Backups: C.J. Bacher (So.), Andrew Brewer (R-Fr.)

The skinny: The biggest question mark for the Cats’ offense is how Kafka will perform as Brett Basanez’ successor. After winning the starting job on Friday following an off-season competition with Bacher and Brewer, Kafka will have to rely on his physical nature and speed to elude defenders. Kafka also boasts a strong arm, which should help the passing game go vertical, although Walker frequently used short passes last year. But Basanez led the Big Ten in passing yards per game (301.8) and completions per game (26.2) last season, which is a huge void for a redshirt freshman to fill. Look for McGee to simplify the offense for Kafka, who will benefit from an experienced offensive line and a slew of strong running backs.

Running Backs:

Projected starter: Tyrell Sutton (So.)

Backups: Terrell Jordan (Sr.), Brandon Roberson (Jr.)

The Skinny:

Tyrell Sutton. Enough said. Sutton, the 2005 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Sporting News’ Offensive Freshman of the Year, rushed for 1,474 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Sutton also grabbed 396 receiving yards and two scores. This year, he will anchor the offense. Despite his small size, 5 foot 9, 190 pounds, Sutton carried the ball more than 30 times in three games last season and will likely have to do more of the same this year. If Jordan and Roberson can remain healthy, the Cats will use more two-back sets to strengthen their rushing attack.

Wide Receivers:

Projected starters: Shaun Herbert (Sr.), Ross Lane (So.), Sam Cheatham (Jr.)

Backups: Eric Peterman (So.), Tonjua Jones (Jr.), Rasheed Ward (So.), Kim Thompson (Jr.)

The Skinny:

Herbert, who led the Wildcats with 79 catches for 862 and six touchdowns last season, returns to lead a young, but talented receiving corps. Lane will provide a valuable deep threat to Kafka as his speed and height (6 foot 3) should make him the No. 2 receiver behind Herbert. Lane caught seven passes for 136 yards in the Sun Bowl. Cheatham will fill in for injured Thompson, who was supposed to be another outside threat, but will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken foot. Cheatham does not have the break-away capabilities of Thompson, Lane or Herbert, but he will be a reliable No. 3 receiver in short yardage situations.

Tight End:

Projected Starter: Erryn Cobb (Sr.)

Backup: Mark Woodsum (R-Fr.)

The Skinny:

Cobb returns as both a tight end and fullback and most likely will not produce many statistics besides pancake blocks. At 6 foot 1 and 250 pounds, Cobb will be responsible for opening up holes for Sutton.

Offensive Line:

Projected Starters: LT Dylan Thiry (Jr.), LG Joe Tripodi (Sr.), C Trevor Rees (Jr.), RG Joel Belding (So.), RT Ryan Keenan (Sr.)

Backups: Kurt Mattes (R-Fr.), Desmond Taylor (R-Fr.), Adam Crum (Jr.), Alex Rucks (So.), Austin Matthews (Jr.)

Last year the line was a cause for concern, but this year the offensive line looks to be on the strongest blocking crews in recent history. Despite the graduation of All-American tackle Zach Strief, four starters return to the line, including Rees, who missed last season for academic reasons after starting his first two seasons. Matthews, who will miss the season opener due to a foot injury, is expected to shift from center to right guard for the home opener against New Hampshire. Belding will make the start against Miami. Keenan will move to right tackle and fellow senior Tripodi will remain at left guard as the line’s pillars of experience and leadership. As the line’s biggest body (6 foot 8, 320 pounds), Thiry will have the tough assignment of blocking some of the best defensive ends in the nation as he controls the left tackle spot. Thiry struggled with shoulder problems last year, but if he can remain healthy, he will be a big asset to a deep and talented group of linemen.

Defense:

There is one positive for NU’s defense, which returns eight starters, it’s this: It can only get better. After finishing dead last in the NCAA in total defense, allowing 480.4 yards and 34 points per game, fifth year coordinator Greg Colby has to make the defensive unit stingier if the Cats want to make a bowl game.

Defensive Line:

Projected Starters: DE Kevin Mims (So.), DE Mark Koehn (Jr.), DT Adam Hahn (R-Fr.), DT John Gill (So.)

Backups: DE Corey Wootton (So.), DE David Ngene (Jr.) DT Keegan Kennedy (So.), DT Marshall Thomas (Fr.)

The Skinny:

After a rough season last year, the line must capitalize on their experience and size (starters average 6 foot 3, 286 pounds) to be more effective at stopping the run. Someone also has to step up as a playmaker who can rush the passer and bail out the secondary. Most likely that job will fall on Mims and Ngene. Ngene is out for 1-2 weeks with a knee injury so the line-up will be mixed around for the opener. Colby will also look to find Wootton playing time. Before the 6-foot-7 Wootton missed time due to injury last season, Walker raved about his ability as a pass rusher.

Linebackers:

Projected Starters: OLB Nick Roach (Sr.), MLB Adam Kadela (Jr.), OLB Demetrius Eaton (Sr.)

Backups: Chris Malleo (Jr.), Mike Dinard (So.), Campbell Black (Sr.)

The Skinny:

Perhaps the strongest aspect of the defense, the linebackers will be under close scrutiny by Fitzgerald, who spent four seasons as linebackers coach. All-American Tim McGarigle and his 13 tackles per game, fourth in the NCAA, are gone, but returning starter Kadela and Dinard will fill that void in the middle. Seniors Roach and Eaton will take the outside positions. The Cats had just 12 sacks last year and they must find a way to pressure the quarterback more this season. NU most likely will use a 3-4 set more often to get more of the speedy linebackers on the field, which will allow him to mix up the blitz packages.

Defensive Backs:

Projected Starters: CB Marquice Cole (Sr.), CB Deante Battle (Jr.), FS Brendan Smith (So.), SS Bryan Heinz (Sr.)

Backups: David Oredugba (So.), Sherrick McManis (Fr.), Reggie McPherson (Jr.), Chaz Richart (So.)

The Skinny:

Plagued by injuries last year, the defensive backfield allowed 262.3 passing yards per game, the second-worst in the Big Ten. If seniors Cole and Heinz can remain healthy, then the secondary should be able to use its speed to compensate for its lack of height. Cole, who recorded 46 tackles and five interceptions last season, will be joined at cornerback by Battle. Heinz is a lock at strong safety, but both Smith and McPherson will see playing time at free safety. The key to the secondary will be to find playmakers to get the defense off the field on third down. Opponents converted 43 percent of third down opportunities last year, a number that has to be reduced to save the defense
from fatigue. The secondary has to also prove it has depth as a defensive back will almost certainly go down with an injury at some point during the season.

Special Teams:

Kicker:

Projected Starters: PK Joel Howells (Sr.), P Slade Larscheid (Sr.)

Backups: PK Stefan Demos (Fr.), Amado Villarreal (So.), Kyle Daley (So.)

Although NU landed solid recruit Demos, Howells will assume the place-kicking and kick-off roles. Howells was 11 for 21 last year and Fitzgerald is counting on an improved kicking game to pull out close victories. Daley, Larscheid or Villarreal could be the punter Thursday. Fitzgerald has not named a starter yet. But whoever does assume the starting role must improve the Cats’ 31.3 yards per punt average – the worst in the Big Ten.

Returners:

Projected Starters: KR Sherrick McManis (Fr.), KR Gerard Hamlett (So.), PR Cole

Hamlett averaged 22.3 yards per return last season and McManis is supposed to have great breakaway speed. Cole will look to improve on his solid 27 yard return average as he looks to be a reliable punt returner.