[NU Sports] Big Ten - Preseason Awards

[wildelk2 at aol.com]

   Last night on BTN, Wildelk received an unexpected treat- the repeat of NU-Ill. last November.  I can't remember why I missed watching NU's 27-10 win last November (most likely a social event mandated by high command ),  but watching the repeat last night got the fires burning for Camp Kenosha.
   As a Pennsylvanian, I'd like to see Persa get a shot for the starting QB position.  But it occured to me that Kafka may get a free pass as #1 due to our limited experience at WR and RB.  A runner as good as Kafka with limited resources at WR may be the reason that the only competition at QB will be for the #2 slot.  I'm hoping Persa is the #2 guy, but who ever is better be ready to play, as Kafka has been knocked out in 2006 and 2008 due to the large number of carries he amounts.
  Defensively, we'll have the best incoming group since 2004 when McGarigle and Blackmon kept things in check.  Along with the schedule being quite manageable, I look for another bowl game this season. Ther will be many 20-17 games, after a cake-walk through the non-cons. (I hope).
   Tangent: We all know that Army-Notre-Dame is going to be at Yankee Stadium in November.  It will generate a big crowd with a lot of attention.  I see nothing bad about 38,000 at Wrigley (packed) vs. Minnesota (2010) or Rice (2011) or both; of which both will struggle to draw 20,30,000 at home.  We can allow established NU fans "first dibs", or do like many20teams do; if you want tickets at Wrigley, you need to buy tickets to another home game.  It will not kill us to share our Cats for (1) home game a year, especially if its done right.
   Camp Kenosha 2 weeks and counting: GO CATS!!!  Looking fine in 09!!!                 Eric

From: SjT (Stephen J. Truog) <sjtruog at yahoo.com>
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Sent: Sun, Jul 26, 2009 7:43 pm
Subject: [NU Sports] Big Ten - Preseason Awards




an't let those SEC folk have all the fun with their Spurrier whodunnit!
SjT BIG TEN PRESEASON AWARDS
===========================
Football season just can’t get here fast enough! The Big Ten Network has made 
hat long drought between spring football and September’s kickoff tolerable, but 
f you’re like me, you’re still getting fall fever about now as the preseason 
ublications roll out. The annual SjT predictions will be out next week (school 
tarts the first week of August in Arizona, so my time will be limited soon!), 
ut to get in the spirit of the season and get the spirited blood pumping, here 
re the SjT preseason awards … with a little help from YouTube.
I’ve been to every Big Ten stadium (plus the wannabe 12th member in South Bend) 
or games … all but one (OSU) on multiple occasions and half of those for games 
hat didn’t even involve Northwestern. I tried to keep my purple-colored glass
es 
ut of the equation as much as possible. Every place has its own charms and 
raditions and there’s just nothing like the Big Ten circuit – and with a new 
igskin palace in Minneapolis debuting this year, you have yet another reason to 
ire up the RV! Go see them all! Even Purdue and Indiana! But to get you started 

BEST STADIUM – INSIDE
FINALISTS: Kinnick Stadium (Iowa), Michigan Stadium (Michigan) and Spartan 
tadium (Michigan State)
THE WINNER: Michigan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1x_TyKMUWA)
No place puts fans directly on top of the action quite like Kinnick, and Sparty 
as about as perfect of a structure for the game of football as possible … but 
or everything inside the stadium, there’s just nothing that can beat the Big 
ouse. It’s deceptively small as you approach and then you enter into this 
assive bowl with great views and rich history. It’s not as great of a home 
ield advantage as the other places because that sound escapes, but the locals 
re friendly and the stadium just can’t help but remind fans of that other 
lassic venue they hope to end the season in … Pasadena’s Rose Bowl.
BEST STADIUM – OUTSIDE
FINALISTS: Memorial Stadium (Illinois), Ohio Stadium (Ohio State), Ryan Field 
Northwestern)
THE WINNER: Ohio State (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7JedERejQw)
I love the columns of Memorial Stadium’s façade and their history – and although 
t is by far the smallest stadium in the leag
ue, NU fans can be proud of the 
efurbished Ryan Field’s arches as they tailgate amid a festive fall setting 
ith the leaves. But if you were going to design the ideal stadium, it’s hard to 
op The Shoe in Columbus. It’s right on the banks of the river, ample tailgating 
pace nearby and as the band marches under the entrance arch with fans gathered 
n multiple levels from sides around, you just get goose bumps.
BEST OVERALL ATMOSPHERE
FINALISTS: Beaver Stadium (Penn State), Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin), Ohio 
tadium (Ohio State)
THE WINNER: Penn State
 White out: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN6SCrU681o)
 We Are Penn State: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqgWWVo1PmY)
 Let’s Go PSU: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYjxL5IfrFU)
 Zombie Nation: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6hIQiDkz6s)
 Seven Nation Army: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evkH3RpRXoE)
If you watched all of the video links above and didn’t get pumped up, then you 
re not a fan of college football. Quite simply, there is nothing in college 
ootball that comes close to Beaver Stadium under the lights for the Penn State 
hiteout (or White House or whatever they can legally call it). It’s not just 
he students, it’s all 100,000+ strong dressed in solid white, on their feet the 
ntire game yelling, cheering and shaking those pom pons in an avalanche of 
pirit. They have rituals and cheers both old (“We Are … Penn State!”) and new 
“Seven Nation Army”) that everyone knows a
nd participates in – and it’s 
lectric. The PSU Whiteout is often imitated, but nothing comes close. Throw in 
he rolling hills for tailgates, the majestic mountain setting, the charming 
ubs and watering holes of College Ave./Beaver Ave. for the night before the 
ame, a trip to the Nittany Lion statue and visit to the Creamery on game day … 
his is
football heaven.
BEST TAILGATING
FINALISTS: Beaver Stadium (Penn State), Kinnick Stadium (Iowa), Ohio Stadium 
Ohio State)
THE WINNER: Ohio State (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-TQcqRWbDA)
There are plenty of bumblebee RVs in Iowa City, and MSU might come close if 
arking wasn’t double what it is elsewhere (despite them having the most room), 
ut it really comes down to PSU and OSU. State College has the best setting by 
ar and the fans are as friendly as you’ll find. But for the raw smells and 
ound, there’s Ohio State’s packed parking lots full of the smell of sausages, 
ielbasa, brats and a variety of meats not seen elsewhere in Big Ten land. Plus 
ou have that band playing (more on them later) as they march around the area.
BEST ALTERNATIVE TO TAILGATING
FINALISTS: Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin), Michigan Stadium (Michigan), Ryan 
ield (Northwestern)
THE WINNER: Wisconsin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqja4deyX5k)
It’s baffling why the state with the best professional tailgating (see Lambeau 
ield and County Stadium/Miller Park) does not have expansive lots around Camp 
andall for Cheeseheads to give t
heir grills double duty on Badger/Packer 
eekends. But then again, why bother doing the tailgate both days when you can 
pend Saturday on State Street and the endless supply of bars and restaurant 
ookouts on your way to the game? State College still probably has a better 
riday night pub crawl, but it’s tough to top State Street on Saturday. As for 
he other finalists, I basically needed to fill out the category. NU has a small 
ut strong tailgating scene (and if you use some remote lots on campus, great 
iews of the Chicago skyline!), as does Michigan … but if you’re not much for 
rilling out, there’s still plenty to do in Evanston/Chicago and Ann Arbor on 
ame day. 
BEST HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
FINALISTS: Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin), Kinnick Stadium (Iowa), Ohio 
tadium (Ohio State)
THE WINNER: Wisconsin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m21PXL4xKfQ)
Penn State and Michigan are intimidating atmospheres based on sheer size, but 
heir fans are almost too nice (even with the whiteout in Happy Valley). These 
hree schools do not have that same problem. You’ll have the drunken frat boys 
elling at you anywhere you go, but only in Madison and Iowa City (and Columbus 
o a smaller extent) will you find the 90-year-old grannies screaming 
rofanities in your face if you dare wear the opposing team’s colors as well. 
owa has its fans right on top of you, but the Badger fans are a little louder 
nd worth a couple extra points as they start jumping ar
ound, throwing quarters 
nd making themselves heard.
BEST COACH
FINALISTS: Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Joe Paterno (Penn State), Jim Tressel 
Ohio State)
THE WINNER: Joe Paterno (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rzzsEWvE4o)
Some good competition for the third spot in this list and it will probably 
ntensify as some of the coaches stay in the league longer, but Fitzgerald edges 
ut Ferentz by a nose with his wunderkind rise after taking over in a tough 
ituation and for what he represents for the school (he is, fingers crossed, OUR 
oePa for the next forty years). Tressel’s star has slipped a bit lately – I’m 
ot sure it’s his coaching as much as his management of his recruits. He had the 
unger to win and bring the team together as one before that national title, 
hen it seemed to slip more into a star individual and offense vs. defense 
entality. But the winner has to be JoePa. He’s coached championship-caliber 
eams in five decades and when some thought he had lost it, he came back better 
han ever by winning two of the last four league crowns.
BEST PLAYER
FINALISTS: Darryl Clark (Penn State), Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State), Evan Royster 
Penn State)
THE WINNER: Terrelle Pryor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RMGG_lj3qM)
Tough choice here, and I’ll go with all offense because most of the big names on 
efense have too many questions in terms of coming back from injuries. Clark is 
he field general I’d want leading my team into battle, but Pryor just
 has so 
uch natural ability that I think he’s poised for a big breakout year. With a 
ot of the weapons around him from last year gone, I think Tressel and the Bucks 
ill find new ways to unleash Pryor this year and his talents will prove to be 
ven more expansive than we thought last year. Just a hunch.
And now for that part in the awards show when we run through some quick winners 
o beat the clock …
BEST STUDENTS: Penn State – White out. ‘Nuff said.
WORST FANS: Indiana – Granted they haven’t had all the much to cheer for, but 
hey don’t have the limitations Northwestern does in terms of small student body 
nd non-local fan base and the Cats still fare better most years at the gate. 
he drive to Bloomington is beautiful, though, and you won’t have to deal with 
any crowds. And again in NU's defense, on average we probably have a higher 
ercentage of our student body in the seats than any other school in the league!
BEST BAND: Ohio State – This league has some great bands, but Script Ohio and 
ang on Sloopy puts TBDBITL over the top for college football games (for musical 
uality, you’d probably go more with Illinois, Michigan and – of course – 
orthwestern! But I can't be too NU biased).
BEST MASCOT: Wisconsin – It’s really easy to narrow down the field here. Once 
ou get rid of the steroid Sparty, blockhead Boiler Pete, freaky Buckeye, 
artoonish new Willie the Wil
dcat (the old one was far better), creepy Hawkeye 
nd rodent-like Nittany Lion, you’re left with Goldie the Gopher and Bucky 
adger. I’ll take Bucky.
WORST MASCOT: Illinois – Political correctness or not, Chief Illiniwek and his 
nnual dance is nothing like the tradition Florida State has and comes off as 
mbarrassing for the school and its fans.
BEST TRADITIONS: Wisconsin – From the old (The Fifth Quarter) to the new (the 
ump around) to the annoying (robotically chanting Ron Dayne after the announcer 
ays his name) to the iconic (“Varsity” at halftime), the cheeseheads are great 
ith gameday traditions (as long as you’re wearing cardinal red) and can clap in 
nison better than any fans in the nation.
WORST TRADITIONS: Purdue – The train whistle, “Boiler Up!” and world’s largest 
rum make Ross Ade Stadium the most likely place in the league to get a 
eadache. No one did more to change modern-day Big Ten football than Joe Tiller, 
hough, so it will be very interesting to see if some of the on-field traditions 
f Purdue will carry on in the new era.
BEST CAMPUS: Northwestern – Again, some great ones in this league, but how can 
ou beat the shores of Lake Michigan, the skyline of Chicago and all those 
eautiful colors in the fall?
BEST HOMECOMING: Illinois – because, as they tell you many times, they invented 
t. The student section isn’t what it used to be, but they do come out for 
omecom
ing.
BEST UNIFORMS: Michigan – Some good choices here, but the winged helmet is 
conic. Just don’t change the maize too much to be a highlighter yellow … or 
ike that awful halo around the stadium initially after the expansion! 
therwise, the classic nittany blues of PSU will be here.
WORST UNIFORMS: Iowa – the classic Hawkeye unis are great, but in the later 
ayden years, the Hawks had these garish golden “claw marks” on the shoulder 
ads that looked ridiculous.
WORST FIELD: Michigan State – While speaking of “fashion don’t” – no more lime 
reen Astroturf. Ever. They’ve thankfully come a long way in East Lansing since 
hen.
BEST FIELD: Penn State – The grass is so immaculate that it looks like a putting 
reen. But JoePa needs to ease up and let the band on it every week and not just 
hen weather permits!
BEST RIVALRY: Michigan vs. Ohio State – Duh. The Wolverines may be down, but 
his is now and will forever be the greatest rivalry in college football (are 
ou listening, ESPN?).  How quickly they forget that less than three years ago, 
his game was No. 1 vs. No. 2 and a classic for the ages and less than two years 
go, it still held league championship ramifications. One down year does not 
ill a rivalry like this.
BEST RIVALRY TROPHY: Michigan vs. Minnesots - I love the axe, the bucket and the 
ow-retired tomahawk, but is their any rivalry award that is also a song other 

han the "Little Brown Jug"?
BEST GAME THIS YEAR: Ohio State @ Penn State – The Big Ten has become the Big 
wo once again, but with Michigan down and out, it’s PSU in their place. This 
ear’s clash in Happy Valley will determine the league champ and depending on 
ow things go with USC for the Buckeyes or with mental block for the Lions, 
ould be a game with national title game implications.
Are you ready for some football now? Thought so.
GO CATS!!!
SjT
* * * * * * * * *
TEPHEN J. TRUOG
jtruog at yahoo.com
O CATS!!!

     
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