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The Northwestern Wildcats escaped their opening week matchup vs. the Syracuse Orangemen with a narrow, excruciating victory 42-to-41 victory. Wildcats fans, coaches and players would all like to see a less stressful victory on Saturday vs. the Vanderbilt Commodores, but will be tough sledding against one of the rising teams in the SEC.
The Commodores will enter the game with a record of 0-and-1, but they took the No. 9 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks to the brink in the season's opening game. The Wildcats will be looking for a better performance from their defense, especially their secondary, which gave up 470 yards and four touchdowns to Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib.
Wildcats starter Kain Colter was injured late in last week's game, but he practiced this week and is set to start against Vanderbilt. He threw for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Game time, TV channel: 7 p.m. CT, Big Ten Network
Point spread: Vanderbilt by favored by 3
For news, discussion and more:
For more on Wildcats football, visit Northwestern blog Sippin’ On Purple, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Chicago. For more on Vandy football, visit Vanderbilt blog Anchor Of Gold, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.
Video:
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