[NU Sports] Positive Statistic

[John Labbe]

A couple weeks ago I was indirectly criticized for focusing on the 
negative because I pointed out the number of times we've lost to Purdue 
in the previous ten seasons (8).

I tend to think I've always been one of the most optimistic members on 
this list.  But I do like to analyze statistics.  They don't always 
tell the whole story, and they certainly can't predict the future, but 
they can be interesting.

So to make up for the Purdue statistics, here's a positive statistic:  
Our combined record against our remaining four opponents in our 
previous two games against each of those opponents is 7-1.

Before I'm criticized for manipulating that statistic, no matter how 
you look at it, our record against these four opponents has been pretty 
good of late.  In our previous three games against each opponent we're 
10-2.  In the past 3 years against these opponents we're 8-1; while 
we're 10-2 against these opponents over the past 4 years.

Although Purdue is the only one of these four teams to have beaten us 
anytime in the past four years (twice), I'm predicting a win on 
Saturday similar to our win over Michigan State in 2005.  I'm expecting 
Sutton to be back, and the offense to be on fire.  Although the defense 
won't be overly impressive, they'll get a few key stops and turnovers 
to make it a blowout.

Go Cats!

John