[NU Sports] Cat Commentary

[WildElk2 at aol.com]

I, like all our list,  was mortified by last week's  result.  I watched the 
replay on ESPN Classic, and everything that could go  wrong did. Turnovers, 
poor special teams play, a porous defense, bad  luck, and the offense clammed up.
   With that said, it's a new week, and at 2-6, losing to Purdue  and 
Michigan St., the time is officially here to sacrifice wins this year vs.  increased 
playing time for people like Phillips and McManis.  As we all  know, we're 
young to begin with, so there isn't too many young, untested players  to get 
ready.  Another change should be on special teams. It's time for  Howells to sit.
   Coaching changes:  McGee hasn't been a Steve Spurrier,  but what with all 
that's happened, he deserves more than one year.   However,  Colby has been 
given 4 years with 2 HC and still the same  result.  I know Heinz and Roach's 
absences have hurt, but we've been bad on  defense since...with the exception of 
2003, for one hell of a long time. I'm not  savvy enough to figure out if 
Brown needs a new job, but the weaknesses on  defense have persisted for quite 
some time.
   Offensive Line:  make no changes, despite inconsistent  play.  Injuries 
have had this unit shuffling around people all year, as  well as a non-existent 
passing threat (until last week).  BTW: In the 4th  Q. at the 50 yard line 
right before the blocked punt, we ran the ball on 3rd and  2.  In the 3rd Q. on 
3rd and 2, we ran the ball as Spart sold out on  stopping the run; 8,9 men in 
the box.  OK, we didn't make it; credit the  defense.  
   But 1 quarter later; same situation; 8 men in the box; we call  the same 
play?  YIKES! Maybe in the maturation process, Bacher would call  time in the 
next situation like that. But it was a bad call to begin with.   Enough of 
that...
   Michigan game:  I'm really interested in this game from  an offensive 
perspective.  I want to see us score at least 17 points and  maintain decent 
drives.  Bacher will be passing, as Mich. gives up an  average of 34 yards on the 
ground.  I think Michigan will be flat as  pancakes, but still win easily; I'll 
say 38-17.  This game opened as MU 34  point favorites; it was 29.5 last 
night, so the betting public thinks that NU  will score some points today.
 
   Still trusting the plan,    GO  CATS!!!         Eric