Column: Passing will be key against Northwestern

There’s something inherently special about returning to your roots once you’ve reached the top, whatever the end goal might have been.

Being back in a place that served as a proverbial stepping stone to brighter lights and grander successes brings a feeling that can’t justly be described in words. It’s a truly visceral experience for those lucky enough to be in such a position.

IU Coach Kevin Wilson is one of those lucky people.

The second-year head coach of the Hoosiers will return to Northwestern on Saturday, where Wilson coached under the late Randy Walker from 1999 to 2001.

Wilson even said the only man he spent more time with than Walker was his father.

Despite an 11-year gap between present day and Wilson’s last game at Northwestern, his respect for the Wildcats’ program is still apparent.

“I’ve got a lot of respect going to that place,” Wilson said. “I coached there. I stand here today because of what those kids did for us in 2000, and so you have to respect the school and respect the place.”

The team Wilson referenced was only the third Northwestern squad to win a Big Ten Conference title since 1936, finishing the regular season with a 6-2 mark in conference play.

As Wilson pointed out, that season served as a springboard to his gig as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma and to his current position.

Beating the Wildcats
Earning a victory at his former digs would be a quite a way to bring things full circle for Wilson, who has a former Northwestern assistant coach on his staff, in Kevin Johns.

It’s a tall task, considering Northwestern is one of only three undefeated Big Ten teams. The Wildcats defeated Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Boston College and South Dakota during the season’s first four weeks.

Their 4-0 start to the season is largely due to a markedly improved defense that has limited opponents to 72.8 rushing yards per game, which ranks 12th nationally.

Considering the struggles the Hoosiers’ offensive line has had controlling the line of scrimmage, expect Offensive Coordinator Seth Littrell to open things up through the air.

Littrell’s offense, led by sophomore quarterback Cameron Coffman, will exploit a porous Northwestern passing defense that has yielded 1,179 yards through the air, good for an average of 294.8 passing yards allowed per game.

Should the game plan revolve around the passing game, it will be an excellent opportunity for Coffman to establish control of the offense and earn the respect of his counterparts as starting quarterback.

Since sophomore Tre Roberson was lost for the season with a broken left leg, Coffman has thrown for 410 yards and three touchdowns while completing 70.2 percent of his passes. Perhaps most importantly, Coffman has yet to turn over the ball.

These figures alone should earn Coffman the respect he deserves.

Final Verdict
In the Hoosiers’ first test in conference play, walking away unscathed seems to be an impossibility.

Northwestern simply possesses too much firepower on the offensive side of the ball for the IU defense to contain, especially with speedy running back Venric Mark, who is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball.

This contest will be a shootout with passing yards coming by the boatload.

Prediction: Northwestern 49, IU 31

­— ckillore@indiana.edu