[NU Sports] OUCH

[WildElk2 at aol.com]

What has been such a bummer has been the play on both  sides of the line.  I 
know that we may be a tad slower than the OSU's of  the world, but I expected 
drastic improvement on our defensive line, and the  ability to control the 
clock on offense.  While the offensive line has  (before Saturday) given an "OK" 
grade, the DL has been a constant letdown.
   We get no pressure. We blitz to help. Robiske feasts on Battle  and 
McPhearson 1 on 1. We know these 2 guys won't make their way to Canton, and  there 
they are guarding OSU receivers 1 on 1.
   Now we take on Michigan, which has yielded 9 points in 2  games.  The 
spread won't be such a mystery after App. St. and Oregon.
   However,  one similarity may be this: Michigan was  shocked by App. St.; 
looked Maized and confused for the next game, then got over  it.  NU was 
shocked by Duke, was in a purple haze at the Shoe; now it's  time we get over it.
   It looks like Sutton and Simpson will be back for next week.  McManis was 
banged up, but the Daily-Herald and Sun Times didn't report it was  serious, 
so at least we didn't take a hit on our depth.  
   I think we all recognize that we are not a first division ball  club. But 
I see a lot of our last 7 games being tight, tedious affairs, as I'm  
steadfast in believing that save Purdue, 6 games could be had.  We circled  the wagons 
in 2003 and 2004 and dug in for a bunch of good wins.  Even if  we go 2-4, we 
beat Minnesota (I've said from the beginning of the season they  are 
terrible) and E. Michigan, we have Iowa, Indiana , Purdue and  Illinois.  Still hope 
this season.
 
         Go  Cats!!!          Eric



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