[NU Sports] Fitz Contract Extended through 2015

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> I agree that while we're certainly
> capable of winning at least nine games, so are several other
> Big Ten teams. 

Exactly. This should be a pretty wild year. I think there are two clear teams at the top and two clear teams at the bottom, but where the other seven will shake out is anyone's guess.

> plus for the 'Cats, but he has to be fully healthy. I have
> no problem with optimism, just as long as it's not merely a
> pretext for a bunch of "Let's fire Fitz" posts the moment we

Exactly. This is our guy. And you're right about the extension showing that the school is behind him for the long haul.

> I would hope that 7-5 would be the bare minimum.? We have
> to consistently dominate in our 4 n-c games (we have to go
> 4-0 every year, that's what good teams do).? Also 2 home
> games against the Gophers and the Hoosiers (neither foe
> should bring many fans), and maybe a win at Purdue, we seem

I agree that our four NC games and the two Bucket schools are gottawins - especially after those darn Hoosiers tripped up a 10-win season last year. I'd put those six in the "gotta win" category for 2009.

> Maybe we can sneak away with one of the two home games
> against PSU and Wisconsin, but I wouldn't want to count on
> that.? Purple fans will probably be in the minority both

We have played well against the Badgers recently, but that could be a bizarre game because Bielema could be coaching for his job there and be in one of those "fourth and nine? GO FOR IT!" moods to try and save his butt. As for PSU, I think the Nits are the best team in the Big Ten, so that's definitely our tallest order of the year.

> games anyway.? MSU should be a very tough road game, And
> Iowa and Illinois on the road are tough games - we can't
> keep winning surprise road games at Iowa City, can we ?? And

Agreed as well, though we've also played well at MSU recently - along with our six "gottawins," we need those two home games with Minny and Wisky and one of the road games at MSU/Illinois to get to nine. PSU and Iowa would be icing on the cake.

Wisconsin and MSU, despite recent successes, will be tricky. Minnesota is everybody's sleeper this year, but at least we get them early and at home. And as you said, Illinois is bound to click with all that talent soon, right?

So yeah, I'm optimistic and think we'll be a better team, but nine wins is gonna be a tall order for Fitz.

Thankfully Fitz isn't one to shy away from a challenge.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!