[NU Sports] Rueful Realist

[Joe Thiegs]

I'll offer some optimism, Alan.

I didn't get to see the game live because I was in the Metrodome for
Minnesota's history-defying, double-overtime, heart-stopping win over
Purdue.  I watched the NU game on tape early Sunday morning before heading
out to church even though I already knew the general story line and end
result.  As others have observed, our defense is not that great.  However,
I'm not yet convinced the season will be a disaster.  I was disappointed
with the way this game turned out, but not at the same level of distress I
felt at the end of the TCU and Hawaii games last year or the Air Force game
the year before that.  In the first set of downs on that game-winning PSU
drive, we had a couple of tremendous defensive plays--including two tackles
for loss--to get to 4th-and-15.  From the replay of the fourth-down play, it
looked like McGarigle's hand was just inches from blocking or tipping
Robinson's pass.  Sometimes those desperation plays go your way, and
sometimes they go the opponents' way (I do agree that the receiver should
have been covered).  If that pass isn't right on the money, it's game over
and while I'm sure there would remain some well-earned criticism of the
defense, the tone on the board would be a lot different.  I expect things to
get better as our safeties get more experienced--losing Bryan Heinz really
hurt.

Penn State's offense isn't that hot but their defense is, and the league's
only got a handful of offenses I would consider really powerful:  MSU,
Minnesota, Northwestern, and Purdue.  Of those, we only have to play two.
(I'm not yet a Badger or Buckeye believer regarding offense.)  Against most
of the teams other than MSU and Purdue I think we can probably hold them in
check just enough for our offense to show up theirs.  Ohio State's defense
looks so good that I don't have high expectations for our O against them.

I see us going 5-6 now with wins over Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.  Plus,
I think we've got a decent chance at knocking off Michigan on Homecoming
(the Wolverines' second consecutive road game on the heels of what could
reasonably be expected to be a fairly physical game at Iowa).  That would
put us at 6-5 and into a bowl game.  Sure, this isn't exactly shooting for
the stars but would be a pretty impressive accomplishment in light of our
pre-season losses, IMHO.

Of course, I won't be too surprised if I'm shown to be wrong, but I'm
keeping the purple-colored glasses on for at least another couple of games!

-Joe


-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com] On
Behalf Of Abrahamson, Alan
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 4:07 PM
To: 'nwu-sports at tssi.com'
Subject: [NU Sports] Rueful Realist


 Having watched this team two weeks in a row from the stands, it pains me to
say this but it must be said: they very well could go 2-9. 
 I will continue to search for any sliver of defensive sunshine. So far,
however, I see little but gloom. 
 Anyone wishing to chime in w/a different viewpoint, I would love to be told
why you have any reasonable expectation for optimism. This season. Not 2006.
Or 2007. 
 Regrettably, Alan

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