The “experts” of WNUR Sports predict the score for Saturday’s game between the Northwestern University Wildcats and the University of South Dakota Coyotes, including the reasoning behind their prediction and a player to watch for the game.

Photo Courtesy of ChicagoTribune.com

Through the first two weeks of these predictions, our staff is currently sitting at 17-3 overall. You could say we are the New England Patriots of predicting, if you so choose. Sure, we are only predicting one game each every week, but these Northwestern Wildcats are about as predictable as a box of kittens on Red Bull in a bowling alley. It’s a little crazy. Our winners from last week were Sam Block and John Castellanos (@JJCast15) (both predicted a 27-17 Northwestern win), but John is calling the game this weekend (1:30 pre-game show on Saturday with kick-off at 2:30), so Sam will lead off this week.

Sam Block (@Blockless): Northwestern, 38-7. The ‘Cats are just too athletic and too focused to lose to FBS South Dakota. Expecting to see the offense bounce back after a couple of relatively down games as Fitz focuses on airing out the ball. Player to Watch: Trevor Siemian.

Jim Sannes (@JimSannes): Northwestern, 44-14. In all honesty, I’m not sure Northwestern will score this many points because I don’t think the starters will see the fourth quarter, but optimism abounds in Evanston! Fitz could try to air it out and give Venric Mark a rest after he has had half a gazillion touches in the first three games, so we might get to see these vaunted Wildcat receivers do some work. Player to Watch: Christian Jones.

Danny Moran (@DannyJMoran): Northwestern 35, South Dakota 10. Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian will alternate but not due to cause. They will each extend a comfortable lead behind a balanced air attack. The Wildcat front seven will continue to impress. Player to Watch: Rashad Lawrence.

Michael Anders (@MikeAnders819): Wildcats win 45-21. Barring a major letdown, the Cardiac Cats should give their fans a one week vacation from stress and panic in the cupcake game of 2012. If Northwestern performs as they should early, there will be plenty of time for the backups to get valuable experience on the field for the latter parts of the game. Kyle Prater gets his first TD of the year. Player to Watch: Trevor Siemian.

Tralon Williams (@TralonWilliams): NU 56, SD 17. Against an FCS foe, the team is going to look to pad their stats as well as try to avoid injury. The battle at quarterback between Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian will continue as they each look to solidify themselves as the #1 option at QB. Player to Watch: Trevor Siemian.

Cameron Albert-Deitch (@c_albertdeitch): Northwestern, 28-13. South Dakota does most of their damage on the ground, meaning Northwestern’s front seven will be called on early and often. Venric Mark (lower body) will play, but the Wildcats will likely shift some of his load to the passing game. But it doesn’t matter who’s playing quarterback – wide receiver Demetrius Fields noted after the Syracuse game that he didn’t even realize the quarterbacks had swapped – Colter and Siemian will rack up the passing yards just the same. Player to Watch: Chi Chi Ariguzo.