[NU Sports] Overconfidence? (used to be Purdue to Sun Bowl)

[Mark S. Ament]

One thing you know for sure when you face Hawai'i, your secondary will be
tested.  Say what you will about the circumstances under which Timmy Chang
set the all time record for  passing yards, but clearly this is an offense
dedicated to throwing fast and second and third.  

Now, having only seen them play once this year, I hardly consider myself an
expert but I must say that I was not overly impressed.  The challenge I
think for the Cats is twofold.  Contain Chang and avoid the "island
letdown". The defensive has to get pressure on Chang and try to get him out
of his rhythm, force him to throw quicker than he would like and hopefully
get some favorable matchups  in the secondary.

Equally, if not more importantly, the Cats can't fall victim to the jetlag
and paradise ennui of visiting the islands.  I have seen too many teams go
out to Hawai'i and just not play the game they are capable of playing
because they're preoccupied with the sun and surf.  If the Cats can keep
their focus they should be able to win this one and spend New Years on Music
Row.

Mark
Mark S. Ament
prplehaze at insightbb.com
 

 From what little I've read Hawaii has the ability to just shred 
defensive secondaries.  Combine that with the fact that NU did not have 
a good game last week, the significant changes in climate and time zone, 
and NU's tendency to play to the level of the competition.  This hardly 
looks like a gimme.  And even if it was a gimme on paper, how many gimme 
wins did NU get this year?