Northwestern Wildcats
2001 record: 4-7 (2-6)
Coach: Randy Walker (fourth season, 15-19)
Starters returning: 4 offense, 6 defense, 1 kicker

Outlook: Despite having two of the most productive offensive stars in school history, quarterback Zak Kustok and running back Damien Anderson, the Wildcats were a big disappointment last season, when they wound up tied for last place after being favored to win the league.

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	Illinois Fighting Illini
	Indiana Hoosiers
	Iowa Hawkeyes
	Michigan Wolverines
	Michigan State Spartans
	Minnesota Golden Gophers
	Northwestern Wildcats
	Ohio State Buckeyes
	Penn State Nittany Lions
	Purdue Boilermakers
	Wisconsin Badgers

But there were a number of explanations, including the controversial preseason-workout death of safety Rashidi Wheeler, some untimely injuries and opponents who spent an offseason studying ways to curb NU's tricky spread offense.

The outlook isn't nearly as bright as a year ago. Two new coordinators will tweak Northwestern's schemes. And the new quarterback and running back will have big cleats to fill. Sophomore Tony Stauss looks like the quarterback choice. At running back, redshirt freshman Jeff Backes, who was Mr. Football in Ohio in 2000, has the biggest upside and is the biggest challenger for junior Torri Stuckey, who performed well late last season when Anderson was injured.

On defense, the Wildcats also have giant holes to fill after losing linebackers Kevin Bentley, Napoleon Harris and Billy Silva. New coordinator Greg Colby has installed a 4-3 defense that's aimed at stopping the run, a Wildcats weakness.

Key game: At Minnesota on Oct. 12. In a league of haves and have-nots, the have-nots need to scrap against one another. And this shapes up as the most winnable of NU's first four conference games.

Keep an eye on: Backes. He has the natural ability to make an early impact, particularly in NU's spread. And they'll need a talented back to keep defenses honest.

It's a good year if. . . Walker can show signs of rebuilding. Despite its remarkable three conference championships in the last seven years, Northwestern can't be expected to compete with Big Ten heavyweights year after year. What this program needs after the angst of last fall are encouraging signs.

Herb Gould covers the Big Ten for the Chicago Sun-Times.