NW is going to have a serious issue with stopping our run game. Kamara presents a big matchup issue for them, as does Dobbs.
NW is about a half step up from Missouri and Vandy when measured by schedule-adjusted O and D:
Team O D
NW 109 4
Vandy 116 19
Mizzou 121 15
We've already played defenses ranked 1st (Alabama), 5th (Florida), 12th (Oklahoma), 15th (Missouri), and 19th (Vandy). This will be the 6th game against a top 20 defense, which is pretty nuts when you think about it.
FWIW, we averaged 219 yards on the ground and rushed for 9 TDs in those previous 5 games. So I'm inclined to agree with you-- we're going to run the ball on these guys despite that lofty D rank.