[NU Sports] Backes and Rees

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

>   Not exactly news that anyone wanted to hear, that's for sure. It occured
>to me that these losses occured in 2 areas that are a concern; the defensive

Yup - both are blows. We need that O-line, and center's even more of a big
deal, and as you say, Backes was turning in to a threat to score every
return and was improving at D-back. Ugh.

>   An idea to ponder....slowly but surely RW has improved depth, particularly
>on the line in both sides of the ball.  We may need to accept the fact that

Hope so - you make good points on Roach & Co.

>well as being a threat to score on every kick-off.  BTW, a big thanks to Jeff
>for his efforts, as well as switching to defense for the good of the team.

Ditto that - coming in Mr. Ohio and all, he had to have his heart set on
running back, but he made the change and those big plays against OSU and
Illinois last year were determining factors in two great wins for the team.
I think we all wish him well in future studies.

>   So, while I'm concerned, I'm not ready to accept the annuals consensus of
>a 9th place prognostication.  I see BIG problems at Wisconsin (i.e...under
>.500 this year; bank on it) , Michigan St, PSU and Minnesota.

Hmm ... I hear rumblings from my friends up in Cheeseland on that as well.
But I'll believe it when I see it. As for the other three, I feel the
opposite on PSU. They have pretty much the entire D back from last year and
that was a GOOD defense. If they get even modest offensive production and
cut the turnovers, JoePa could have a nice swan song.

As for MSU, they seem like they're going to be an enigma every year with
Mr. Smith in charge -- they may lose a gimme game early (Rutgers), but they
always seem to improve and can pull an upset or two late. And Minnesota has
a lot back from last year and the usual soft schedule to start things off,
so they should be bowling. Purdue's a big question mark this coming year
too.

Should be another fun year -- the battle of the big three at the top should
be a slugfest that could propel one to the Rose Bowl MNC game or knock all
three out of contention, and after that I can see everyone else making a
bowl run except Indiana and Illinois, and they're going to be better teams
by November and possible bowl spoilers.

Let's skip ahead to September!
GO CATS!!!
-SjT


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