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n o r t h w e s t e r n ( c o n t i n u e d ) Northwestern a daunting 1-2 backfield punch and three of the Wildcats' top three receivers return to an offense that was very good on third down a year ago, converting 46 percent. Offense has rarely been Northwestern's issue, as it's typically been on the cutting edge since Randy Walker's tenure with the program. But the defense is coming along, with more talent and athleticism than normal. Not that it'll be asked to win games on its own. "The defense is solid but gave up too many big plays last season," Vaccher said of a Northwestern pass defense that was worst in the Big Ten a year ago. "The offense is going to put up points. The defense just has to do its job and make opponents earn it." If Northwestern's going to have FIrst Show Aug. 30! the sort of season it hopes for, it's going to have to earn it. That much is crystal clear. The schedule is daunting, beginning with a road trip to Cal, followed by a visit from Syracuse. Big Ten play opens with a home game against BCS title-contender Ohio State and a trip to Wisconsin. Northwestern doesn't play Purdue or Indiana, teams that finished with losing records last season. TOM'S TAKE "This will be the best Wildcat team in … forever. Well, it will be the best since the 1995 squad that went to the Rose Bowl. The offense is filled with talent and experience. But it's the defense that could make this team special. Pat Fitzgerald never has had this much speed and athletic ability." — Tom Dienhart, Big Ten Network 2012 RESULTS 2013 SCHEDULE (10-3 overall, 5-3 Big Ten, 3rd Legends) DateOpponent Results 9/1 at Syracuse . . . . . . . . W, 42-41 9/8VANDERBILT . . . . . . . W, 23-13 9/15 BOSTON COLLEGE . . W, 22-13 9/22 SOUTH DAKOTA . . . . . W, 38-7 9/29INDIANA . . . . . . . . . . W, 44-29 10/6 at Penn State . . . . . . . . L, 28-39 10/13 at Minnesota . . . . . . . W, 21-13 10/20NEBRASKA . . . . . . . . . L, 28-29 10/27IOWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . W, 28-17 11/10 at Michigan . . . . . L, 31-38 (OT) 11/17 at Michigan State . . . W, 23-20 11/24ILLINOIS . . . . . . . . . . W, 50-14 1/1/13 vs. Mississippi State* W, 34-20 * TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl DateGame 8/31 at California 9/7SYRACUSE 9/14 WESTERN MICH. 9/21MAINE 10/5 OHIO STATE 10/12 at Wisconsin 10/19MINNESOTA 10/26 at Iowa 11/2 at Nebraska 11/16MICHIGAN 11/23 MICHIGAN STATE 11/30 at Illinois It won't be easy, but the feeling around Northwestern this year is that anything is possible. "Fitzgerald welcomes (expectations)," Vaccher said. "He says he wants Northwestern fans to expect to compete for championships. This is one of those seasons. You can make a case for them winning their division and playing in the Big Ten championship game." — Brian Neubert Coming this fall to a computer or mobile device near you! Gold and Black LIVE featuring the staff of Gold and Black Interactive live video-stream sports talk show — ask questions, chat with other fans! Show will stream live on WLFI.com on selected Fridays during football and basketball season. For complete schedule, visit the college page on WLFI.com. Trent Johnson, Agent GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com Gold and Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 6 • 115