[NU Sports] Gleanings

[Jonathan Hodges]

It's great to hear that Fitz did a nice job on TV (unfortunately I was
driving and forgot to set the DVR - will there be a replay?).

This year the 'Cats do seem to be deeper than the past couple of years
- particularly on the D line and the secondary - areas that have been
historically weak for NU over the last decade or so.  It will be
exciting if the defense continues to make strides and lives up to its
potential - something I think Fitz will expect.

The biggest question (besides the special teams which will feature a
brand new kicker/punter combo) will be can the offense use the end of
last season as a starting point and get better from there.  The QB
situation was an obvious cause for the first half of the season's
offensive failures, but we shall see if the relatively inexperienced
WR corps can form an effective battery with Bacher and give Sutton the
room he needs to roam free.  Getting the confirmation that Rees and
Thiry will be there despite recent rumors definitely eases my mind
since those are probably the 2 most important guys on the OL.

Regarding schedule, it is firmly my opinion that the 'Cats should win
at least 6 games or Fitz and Murphy have some serious thinking to do
(about the future of certain asst. coaches).  There's a strong chance
for 7 wins and a small chance for 8.  Anything above that would be
extraordinary.  The three gimme games (not that NU shouldn't get ready
for them big time) are Northeastern, Duke, and EMU.  Games NU should
win include: Minnesota, MSU, and Indiana.  Games NU has the change of
winning (but not a great chance) include Nevada, Illinois, Purdue, and
Iowa.  And the upper echelon would be, of course, OSU and Michigan.

IMHO, the turning point games are at MSU and vs. Minnesota - both
middle to lower tier B10 teams looking to turn it around.  Winning
these games would give NU the chance to move into the middle or even
upper tier of the B10, while losing would mean fighting for a bowl
berth.

Of course only time will tell.  Go 'Cats!!!

Jonathan

On 7/12/07, WildElk2 at aol.com <WildElk2 at aol.com> wrote:
> I wanted to pass this on; reports from Cat watchers say that  PF did a nice
> interview on TV, and cited Thiry and Rees as important members of  our
> offensive line. There's been scuttlebutt to suggest that Thiry has some  sort of minor
> injury, and the news about Rees is refreshing.
>   You know, that since GB was here, we could always recruit  linebackers,
> offensive linemen and running backs, and had trouble recruiting  defensive backs,
> defensive linemen and receivers.   So what happens?  If you believe the
> annuals, we're short at linebackers, O-Line and running  backs(save Sutton) !
>    My theory is that we're deeper than "the experts" think we are  on our
> offensive line.  Walk did a terrific job replenishing the pipe line  on the
> O-Line.  I agree with the contention that we may be short-handed at  line backer.
> Losing McGarigle and Roach the past 2 seasons is tough.   RB isn't too bad;
> Roberson is this year's Terrell Jordan; he should see plenty  of snaps backing
> up Sutton.
>    Another "nugget" picked up was PF cited Brad Phillips as  pushing
> McPhearson for playing time.  A good problem, as we've got a little  depth for a
> change.
>    Without giving a full-blown analysis ,  I believe we're  ready to "turn
> the tables" on a few people this year.  The first test will  be vs. Nevada; one
> of  2 teams we gave the game to last season .  This  is a good year to finally
> have a schedule that isn't one of the best in the  country; when's the last
> time that happened?  IF we stay reasonably  healthy, we'll go 8-4, maybe
> better.  I shouldn't say this, but I feel it's  warranted, if we stay reasonably
> healthy and finish with a losing record (5-7 or  worse) ,  there are serious
> problems
>    Think about it:
> Northeastern :W  Nevada: toss up Duke:W  E.Mich: W  Big  Ten:  OSU and Mich.
> probable (but not certain) losses.
>    So then we have:  Minnesota? Please!  They will  suck; what a mistake
> letting Mason go. Fools.  A win.
> Mich St.  down year for Sparty; as we all know we should have won last  year.
> A win
>   Purdue. T iller has always been a pain in our ass.  OK, a  loss.
>   Indiana: Pains of transition; a win for the Cats.   Illinois.  We play
> smarter; for a change this may pit both teams playing  for a bowl. A nice change
> of pace.  A toss up
>    Iowa:  How I love it; we'll go 7-4 in our last 11 vs.  Bumble Bees; don't
> believe the annuals; they are average.
>   So by my calculations,  we will win 7 games; 2 more are a  toss-up, and 3 I
> see as losses.  Gotta go.  GO  CATS!!             Eric
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
1237 Emerson St Apt 2
Evanston, IL  60201-3577
(847) 736-2449
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