[NU Sports] Buckeyes

[Jonathan Hodges]

Regarding the OSU game, while I haven't done a whole lot of research yet -
NU has a few things they will need to do in order to have a shot:

- Win the turnover battle (or at least don't lose it): last year the 'Cats'
5 turnovers against OSU killed them before they even had a shot.  You can't
give a better team that kind of advantage.  The 'Cats must be more
aggressive on defense and force turnovers, while continuing to protect the
ball on offense - the only bad mistake of the year so far for NU was the
pick on the 3rd play of the last game which Duke fortunately gave right
back.

- Generate a pass rush: NU MUST get to the QB.  If this means constantly
blitzing, then so be it.  OSU still has a first-year starter who can't have
all day to throw otherwise NU will be looking at Heisman-esque passing
numbers.

- Continue to play great special teams.  This is what good teams
consistently do well - and so far NU kicking/punting has been great.  The
only area needing some improvement appears to be the punt return team that
hasn't had a significant return in some time (since Fitz took over the
longest return has been Smith's 21 yard return against OSU last year).

- Protect Bacher: CJ had to make some crazy scrambles over the first 3 games
to elude pressure - even the over-sized and over-matched I-AA/FCS
Northeastern had 3 sacks.  The OL must do a better job protecting Bacher
especially with the pass-heavy offense NU has shown thus far.

- Establish offensive rhythm.  The 'Cats must run the ball along with
passing in the right mix to keep time of possession on their side and
sustain drives.  Oh, and NU must finish off drives, something it didn't have
a problem doing until Fitz mysteriously took 3 points off the board last
week.

Finally, NU needs to out-coach an opponent.  Of course OSU is a tough team
to out-coach, but thus far the 'Cats have been out-coached by everyone - and
were lucky that they could out-play the first 2 opponents.  The defensive
game plan needs adjustment prior to the game, not at halftime.  And the
offense should be able to move the ball and score effectively without
pulling out every play in the book.  Also, reducing those penalties back to
a typical Fitz-coached level would be nice (NU was #1 in least penalties and
yards last year) - although considering what we saw this past week that is
probably more a function of the officials than anything else.

Also a native of Ohio, I would love to see an NU win in Columbus more than
just about anything, and thus far here are the scores against OSU in their
house since 2000: 20-38, 0-20, and 7-48.  I hope the 'Cats find a way to at
least make this one a game.

Go 'Cats!!!
Jonathan

http://hailtopurple.com/features/jhodges.html

On 9/16/07, Abrahamson, Alan (NBC Universal) <Alan.Abrahamson at nbcsports.com>
wrote:
>
> OK, rather than dwell on the (many) negatives of the Duke game, I will
> take Mr. Hodges up on his offer. Candidly, I am still trying not to
> puke. But I will attempt to move on.
> To wit:
> What would it take for this group of Wildcats to beat the Buckeyes this
> Saturday in Columbus?
> You're game-planning. How do you beat Ohio State?
> As an Ohio native, let me also reiterate -- as I do every year at this
> juncture -- how much I would truly love to see the Wildcats dump the
> Buckeyes. Twice in one's lifetime is simply not enough.
> Go Wildcats!
> Alan
>
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-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
1237 Emerson St Apt 2
Evanston, IL  60201-3577
(847) 736-2449
jonathanwhodges at gmail.com