[NU Sports] This season

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> Is it too early for predictions?

Heck no! Part of the recovery -- and it's good to see
list traffic up and looking ahead to the season. I
don't want to say too much more on the expectations
front except that there's a difference between
lowering expectations for the program and
realistically looking at the unfortunate situation the
team has been put in this year with the untimely death
of a head coach. It's really a unique situation -- I'm
trying to think of anything similar in recent memory
and the only one a friend of mine from UW mentioned
was Dave McClain's death, and that wasn't a month
before camp.

But anyways, on to a couple replies to posts looking
ahead at 2006 ...

> My prediction 5-7(2-6).

That sounds about right -- obviously we hope for more,
but even with Walker I'd be at 6-6.

> ** Likely Wins
> Sat 09/09/06 New Hampshire -- The Bacher/Kafka
> Sat 09/16/06 Eastern Michigan -- The RW connection
> Sat 11/18/06 Illinois -- Another RW connection, but

These are three must-wins and should-wins, though I'm
not sure any of 'em will be easy. The Illini might
even be playing to become bowl eligible.

> Thu 08/31/06 @ Miami OR Fri 09/22/06 @ Nevada -- I
> think we will lose at Miami and win Nevada

Given Walker's history at both schools, the Miami/NU
game is going to be awash in emotion -- I hope we can
win one for Randy there, but we haven't fared so well
against Miami in recent history. As for Nevada, the
Wolfpack are a lot better than people think - that one
will be tough. I wish we were at UNLV instead, for
vacation and victory purposes.:)

> Sat 10/21/06 Michigan State -- The "John L. Farewell
> Tour" Sparty is looks tough in September, but falls 

That's what I'm hoping -- beat ND at home in
September, fall in Evanston in October!:)

> ** Unlikely Wins
> Sat 09/30/06 @ Penn State -- JoePa will go back to
> being mediocre, but 

I don't think he'll slip back that far, but no 11-1
season again. Still, as you say, at PSU is tough.

> Sat 10/07/06 @ Wisconsin -- The battle of the young
> coaches.  This 

Yup - that should get it big headlines. The Badgers'
cushy schedule will probably make them appear to be
better than they actually are this year, but either
way, it'll be tough to win in Madison.

> Sat 10/14/06 Purdue -- Possibly the beginning of the
> "Tiller Farewell 

I'd already be circling this one on the calendar as
our game of the year. Coming off a brutal three-game
road trip, this game will tell a lot about Fitz'
motivation skills and how he rallies his team to keep
focused on one game at a time and not worry about past
games. We need the home boost to win this one!

As for Tiller's farewell, I really hope not. Wily Joe
may be a thorn in our side, but he's done wonders for
Purdue football and the Big Ten and they'd be foolish
to pressure him out.

> No Freaking Way
> Sat 10/28/06 @ Michigan -- We are going to the game,
> but our defense would have to make giant leaps to 
> keep even a mediocre Michgian team 

I really don't get why a lot of folk are calling
Michigan mediocre this year. They're as loaded as
anyone in the country on offense and their defense
should shore up some holes from last year. The
schedule's brutal (at South Bend, Happy Valley AND
Columbus!), but the last time Lloyd went to the Alamo
Bowl, he came back with a vengeance. I would not be
surprised to see Michigan in a BCS bowl this year.

> Sat 11/04/06 @ Iowa -- Do you think Ferentz will
> Sat 11/11/06 Ohio State -- Tressel is still

Sadly, true.

Good points on what could make it better or worse as
well.

Now for Dennis' list of keys for the season ...

> 1. Defensive line - If this year's line play is as
> 2. Quarterback - None of us has a clue as to what

No argument here -- these two seem to really be the
key to 2006 for the Cats. We have to stop the run on D
and on the other side, we need a QB who can keep
opposing defenses honest so they don't stack the box
against Tyrell.

> 3. Special teams - Rank, awful, pathetic,

Well, we did have a few highlights (Iowa:) ), but
definitely an area in need of improvement and I think
Fitz knows this. He saw first-hand how big a role good
special teams can play with Valenzisi/Burton and field
position.

> 4. Secondary - They cannot get burned as often as in
> the past.  Yes, they 

I expect improvement here with the experience. A lot
of that goes with pressure on the QB though.

> 4.  OL and Tyrell - The OL is probably the best unit
> on the team, and they 

Definitely - I hope they take this role on with gusto!
We need someone to step in and take the leadership
role on offense for Baz. Whether it's a lineman,
Tyrell or our new QB, someone's gotta bond the unit
together. On defense, I expect Nick Roach will
continue our great tradition of linebacker leaders and
take the spot of McGarrigle.

It's starting to feel like football season again!

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!

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