[NU Sports] I see an 8th Bowl spot slipping away...

[Mike Nolan]

> Very quietly this year, NU has made two changes that
> are clear distinctions for Coach Fitz ...
> 
> * Penalties are down
> * Time of possession is up
> 
> Both are welcome changes. Now just change the D and
> work on special teams a bit and we'll all be happy!:)

Red zone conversions still need lots of work, according to the (otherwise 
inept) ESPN crew last Saturday the Cats were 1st in the Big 10 in yardage 
but 10th in points scored.

This is the year I would expect to see the start of any coaching shuffles, 
last year was just too traumatic and put together at the last minute to
make any real evaluations of how well the coaches fit into Fitz's overall
strategy, which he probably didn't even have worked out yet.  Last year
it was still RW's team, it's much more Fitz's team now.

A continued reliance on the spread offense means we're likely to see one
'learning' season followed by two and occasionally three 'experienced'
seasons at QB, barring injuries.  Is it too soon to wonder who's the next 
QB in the pipeline?

Does it seem like there are there fewer NU games (and possibly fewer Big 
10 games in general) being relegated to the Big 10 Network at this point 
in the season?  

This is also his first real recruiting class, so TV exposure at this point
is critical.  A win over Illinois would be SOOOOO sweet!  

(Now that the NCAA has taken aim at native american team names, is the
Sweet Sioux trophy next in their sights?)
--
Mike Nolan