This is copied directly from the Northwestern write-up as the #24 ranked team from the link...
24. Northwestern Wildcats
Previous rank: 24
The Wildcats, who went 10-3 last season and won their first bowl game since 1949, went into spring practice needing to rebuild their offensive line, where three starters have departed. But injuries curtailed their efforts, as tackles Jack Konopka and Paul Jorgensen and guard Matt Frazier missed the spring because they were hurt. In fact, injuries caused coach Pat Fitzgerald to cancel Northwestern's spring game; the Wildcats had an open practice for fans instead. The Wildcats have plenty of firepower coming back on offense, including their quarterback combination (Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian) and tailback Venric Mark, who ran for 1,366 yards with 12 touchdowns. Backup running back Malin Jones was a bright spot in the spring and might be a factor this fall.
This seems to fly in the face of earlier rumors that Fitzgerald thought this was his best team yet. By the way, this doesn't even refer to the defense, which has as many holes in the back 7 as their OL.
Notable absences include both Oregon St., Washington and Arizona St., Each of the last 2 may have their best team in years and should be a factor in who wins their division. I would place NW around 30th behind these and a handful of other teams.
