by Sports Xchange

The biggest battles will be at all of the skill positions, where nobody has a job sewn up. Senior Mike Kafka has the only experience at quarterback and junior Stephen Simmons the only experience at running back, but that only gets them the first reps when practice kicks off on March 30. The four receiving spots are wide-open as there's nobody on the roster who caught 20 passes last fall.

Mostly, though, this spring's 15 sessions will allow the offense to deepen their understanding of second-year coordinator Mick McCall's system while also giving new offensive line coach Adam Cushing (he moved over from superbacks) the chance to sort through five promising redshirt freshmen who'll challenge the four returning O-Line starters.

BUILDING BLOCKS: Under first-year coordinator Mike Hankwitz, Northwestern's defense made a quantum leap last fall. Hankwitz' more aggressive schemes unlocked a unit that finished 26th nationally in scoring defense (20.2 ppg) and 49th in total defense (340.5 ypg). Since Hankwitz retains eight starters from that group, as well as a few key backups who made plenty of plays when they had their chance, the defense figures to carry the offense early while some inexperienced Wildcats assume the skill positions.

Pay particularly close attention to the secondary, which will feature three senior starters with an inordinate amount of experience and influence within the team. Of the 10 players on NU's Leadership Council, four of them hail from the secondary.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm doing the work and rehabbing every day trying to get it better. I'll be out there with my position group and help with some of the drills." -- Senior defensive end Corey Wootton, who won't take part in spring ball after tearing his ACL during the Alamo Bowl, describing what his duties will be during the spring.