After some initial technical difficulties, we here at quebecpenspinning are able to bring you the latest installment of our weekly Q&A series, this time with the phenomenal Northwestern blog Spread Far the Fame. As always, we thank the bloggers over at SpreadFarTheFame for their time, and be sure to check back over there to read my answers to his questions, like what I think of Penn State’s new receiving corps, what Joe Paterno’s role is, and my prediction for tomorrow’s game. 

This week, the Lions visit Evanston, Illinois, to take on the Wildcats, who come in with a 5-3 record (2-2 in Big Ten play) with a particularly damning loss to Syracuse on a field goal as time expired.  Led by former Wildcat linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, the youngest coach in the Big Ten, Northwestern has made strides to respectability over the past few years, and a win over Penn State this weekend would be one of the biggest in the program’s history.

Now, let’s get to the questions:

On one hand, it was a great comeback. On the other hand...against Indiana.

1. Last week, Northwestern came back from a 28-3 deficit to beat Indiana, 29-28. Does it say more about Northwestern that they were able to pull of such an incredible comeback, or that they fell behind by 25 points to Indiana?

They aren’t THAT bad, but they aren’t THAT good either. This team is simply…mediocre. But the optimist in me wants to believe that their heart and fight will be enough to claw their way to The Pizza Bowl. [ed. note: The Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl was the Motor City Bowl until this year, and features the Big Ten's #7 team against the #2 or #3 team from the MAC]

2. Looking at the statistics alone, it seems like wide receiver

Seriously, who is this masked man, and how is he #2 in the Big Ten in catches?

Zeke Markshausen is having a flat-out ridiculous season, and is among the Big Ten leaders in catches and yards. How come I’ve never heard of him?

You’ve never heard of him because he’s a former walk-on who only had one career catch entering this season. We actually predicted at the beginning of the year that he’d have a big season, but we also predicted the offensive line would be good, so take that for what it’s worth. Zeke is probably the smartest player on the team, and runs the best routes of all the receivers. He was buried on the depth chart in previous seasons due to the three-headed monster that was Eric Peterman, Ross Lane, and Rasheed Ward. But with the graduation of those three, he’s taken advantage of his opportunity to finish strong.

Mike Kafka leads Northwestern in rushing. That's probably not a good thing.

3. Corey Wootton is probably the biggest name on the Northwestern team, though he’s been slowed by a knee injury that’s limited him to just one sack all season. Who else should Penn State fans be on the lookout for this Saturday, on both sides of the ball?

Penn State’s linebackers need to keep their eyes on QB Mike Kafka at all times. He’s pretty much NU’s only running threat. If they focus too much on the pass, Kafka will take off and run. On defense, Quentin Davie is having a monster year at linebacker and will be key when it comes to containing Penn State’s high-powered offense.

4. It seems like more of the same for Northwestern, as Pat Fitzgerald is leading a good, but not great, team to another

Pat Fitzgerald: the JoePa of Chicago?

6-to-8 win season and mediocre bowl game.  What’s going to have to happen for the Cats to become more than “just” Northwestern, and find their way to the upper tier of the Big Ten?

Rome wasn’t built in a day. The first step is getting to a bowl game for the 2nd consecutive year for only the 2nd time in program history. The next step is actually winning a bowl game for the first time since 1949. I believe a bowl win, even in Detroit, would do wonders for NU going forward. I think the ‘Cats SHOULD be competing for a Big Ten title within the next five years. Fitz is the right man to lead the way, he’s only 25 wins away from being NU’s all-time leader in victories as a head coach. We hope to have Fitz stay around Evanston for many years to come, in the mold of Joe-Pa.

It shouldn't have to come to this

5. Last time Penn State was in Evanston, it took a miracle conversion on 4th and 15, and a last-second TD drive to sneak past the Cats. Think it’ll be that close this time around?  What are your predictions for the game?

Northwestern always plays Penn State tough at Ryan Field, but the talent disparity is vast this year. Penn State rolls 40-10.

Of course, the one thing the Cardiac ‘Cats have taught us over the years is to expect the unexpected…so who knows?

Thanks again to Otto and be sure to visit SpreadFarTheFame for all your questions about Northwestern, and to read my answers to his questions.