[NU Sports] Our D yesterday

[Dennis W. Brandt]

> I was encouraged by our QB and defensive play ... Had we
> played like this on D and had a healthy CJ all year, I
> think we have at least 3-4 more wins now.

>We have a defense.  They stuffed the run on a team that would gladly have 
>run on every down.

I hope these two opinions are right, but I doubt it.  Yes, this year's 
defensive line is improved over last season against the run.  The pass rush 
remains its dismal - make that non-existent - self.  That said, let's look 
at the reality of yesterday's game.  The combination of rain and driving 
wind provided ripe conditions for an upset, so Michigan went to a 
conservative ground game, secure in the knowledge they we were never going 
to move the ball on them.  They won with an uninspired effort, and that is 
all that was required.  That approach does occasionally provide the 
ingredients for upset, but usually, like Texas-Texas Tech yesterday and 
1,000 games before it, the better team comes back in the end to frustrate 
its physically weaker opponent.  Michigan is a far, FAR more talented team 
with athletic skills and depth of which Northwestern can only dream.  Based 
on the ratings of this year's committed recruits, that will not be changing 
much next season.

Someone said that he couldn't wait for the Ohio State game.  If the weather 
conditions are favorable, we won't get within 40 points unless OSU plays 
their third-string during the second half.  If the impossible happens, I 
like my crow plucked and basted in garlic-butter sauce.  I would greatly 
enjoy eating it.