[NU Sports] NCAA Football 2009

[Mike Nolan]

> I like your thoughts. Those first 4 games of the year are surely winable  but 
> the Cats always tend to play a let down game. I would like nothing better to  
> be 4-0, but I don't see it, so I will say they start 3-1 with a loss to  
> possibly Syracuse or Ohio.

As long as the loss isn't at Duke I can handle 3-1, though this may (finally)
be the year they go 4-0.  

> Then 5-3 in the Big Ten. Wins against MSU, Purdue, IU, Minny and Illinois.  
> Losses to Iowa, OSU and Michigan.

I think Illinois is going to be a big dog in the Big 10 again next year, 
Iowa is likely to be a more winnable game, I'm starting to hear grumblings
from Iowa fans about their "can't win consistently" coach and the Cats
have played well in Iowa City.  (Is the visitors locker room still pink?)

Indiana, MSU and Purdue are all big question marks, Michigan is the real 
wild card.  They've got talent coming out their ears, but how will their 
new coach use it?  

I think 4-4 is a more likely mark out of the conference season, with wins 
against PU, IU, Iowa and Minny and MAYBE an upset against MSU or a 
late-season major bowl spoiler win against Illinois. By November Michigan
will have its act together, no win in the Big House for the Cats this year. 

7-5 should be enough for a winnable bowl game this year.
--
Mike Nolan