Aug. 10--Northwestern faces an identity crisis as it opens practice Monday in preparation for the 2015 season.
Coming off back-to-back 5-7 seasons, the Wildcats must discover the essence of their personality and personnel. While they defeated Wisconsin and Notre Dame last season, they lost at home to California and Northern Illinois before going 3-5 in the Big Ten.
Who are these guys?
"We're smart, we're tough, we play with great passion," coach Pat Fitzgerald said when asked what he hopes to see before the Wildcats host Stanford on Sept. 5. "We don't beat ourselves. And we are a team in all three phases that has an identity and plays with terrific effort.
"If we do those things, we will win a lot more than we did the last two years. When we've done that, we have been pretty tough to beat."
Here are five questions the Wildcats hope to resolve during camp:
Who will emerge as the starting quarterback?
In addition to their performance on the field, Clayton Thorson, Matt Alviti and Zack Oliver will be evaluated on their leadership qualities and ability to engender respect from their offensive teammates.
"Who's going to raise the level of our offense?" Fitzgerald said. "If we want to get to our goals, that has to happen. I'd love to have that happen in the first week (of camp). Will it? I don't know. And I don't want to put that type of expectation on that process.
"We will continue to split the reps up like we did in the spring until we get some semblance of separation and start to hone that in."
Will Christian Jones be back to his old explosive self?
The fifth-year senior wide receiver was a big-play threat in 2013, leading the Wildcats with 668 yards, before missing last season with a knee injury.
"He's a difference-maker," Fitzgerald said.
A pedestrian NU offense rarely put pressure on the defense last season, and its predictability added pressure in the other phases.
"We had some bumps and bruises, but we had a lot of inconsistency there," Fitzgerald acknowledged. "So hopefully we can get that developed and have more explosive plays."
Whoever emerges at quarterback will need to get the ball in the hands of playmakers such as Jones and superback Dan Vitale. The school announced last week that wide receiver Garrett Kidd, the son of former Northwestern and NFL punter John Kidd, has transferred from Miami and is eligible this season.
Will Justin Jackson merit the attention he is receiving?
After rushing for 1,187 yards as a freshman, Jackson was named a "player to watch" by the Big Ten. With a first-year starter at quarterback, the Wildcats figure to lean heavily on the Glenbard North graduate.
Warren Long, Solomon Vault and Auston Anderson provide depth if Jackson shows any wear and tear from offseason knee surgery.
Will leaders emerge on the offensive line?
Guards Geoff Mogus and Matt Frazier are the only returning starters, and Mogus got a look at left tackle in spring practice.
"We have a lot of guys who are in close competition," Fitzgerald said. "I don't know if we have a ton of clear separation between our second or third guy compared to our seventh and eighth guy. I hope that ends up being a strength. We will probably play multiple guys there at first."
Will a big-play defense define the Wildcats?
With safety Ibraheim Campbell, drafted by the Browns, and playmaking linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo gone, the Wildcats will be counting on a strong, experienced secondary that includes cornerbacks Nick VanHoose and Matthew Harris and safety Traveon Henry.
Campbell's likely replacement, Godwin Igwebuike, had three interceptions in the upset of Wisconsin.
fmitchell@tribpub.com
