[NU Sports] The view from 3-2

[cherron604 at aol.com]

I always like the idea of a 'trap' game, but the Gopher game last week should have been a classic trap game for Minnesota - number 6 Cal the week before, then an empty Ryan Field for NU, then this week's big game for Paul Bunyan's axe at the new palace, hosting the hated Wisconsin-ites.? The Gophers avoided that trap quite well.



Also, blocking deficiencies are very very annoying.? Blocking can be taught, weights can be used, big meals can be eaten, blocking sleds can be driven deep into the ground?- I can accept a team beating me on pure speed, but there is alot less excuse for an o-line being consistently beaten.



Chuck Herron?? Tech '85


-----Original Message-----
From: neonrye at aol.com
To: jleonard518 at yahoo.com; nwu-sports at tssi.com
Sent: Sun, Oct 4, 2009 11:09 am
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] The view from 3-2





Jim,



I think your "crystal ball" could use a little optimistic "tweaking".? While I 
agree that the trip to East Lansing is a tough one, we have traditionally played 
the Spartans tough (except with 32 point leads or whatever it was a few years 
back), and they may be looking past us, thus making it a potential "trap" game 
for Sparty.? They play Iowa at home under the lights the following Saturday--a 
much bigger game for them.? So we have?a reasonable shot there for a "W".



Also, speaking of "W's", why are you overlooking NU's traditional success factor 
against Wisconsin?? We have done quite well against the Badgers, and the thing 
that worries me most about that end-of-season game--which could be for a bowl 
bid (or at least eligibility)--is the thought of Ryan Field filled with red, not 
purple.? So that game could be a win as well.? On the other hand, if the season 
is not going well by the time we travel to Urbana, that game could prove to be 
an "L", given the talent that Zook has, but can't seem to coach.



Moreover, if we somehow win the next 3 in a row, and come in to the Penn State 
game with a head of steam, then maybe we can send JoePa closer to retirement 
with an upset special.? I know I am being a little cavalier, but yesterday's win 
could--and should--spark a 'Cat revival or renewal of spirit and purpose, as I 
said yesterday.? Now, at least, Fitz has something to build on, 
confidence-wise.? 



We really should do better than 6-6 this season, with the schedule we have--and 
the loss to 'Cuse has the potential to really screw things up, unless we "upset" 
MSU or UW (or remember how we did it early last Fall and win at Iowa City)..



Paul Levinson


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Leonard <jleonard518 at yahoo.com>
To: Northwestern Wildcats <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Sent: Sun, Oct 4, 2009 11:49 am
Subject: [NU Sports] The view from 3-2




Fellow Wildcat Faithful,

There are a lot of things I could second guess from yesterday, but since we all 
agree a win is a win I'll let it go. We nee
ded that victory in a big way. 

Assuming we see continued improvement (especially from the coaches), here's how 
I see the remaining games.

Miami OH - WIN
MSU - Loss
Indiana - WIN
Penn State - Loss
Iowa - Loss
Illinois - WIN 
Wisconsin - Loss

6-6 would be respectable, but I think it leaves us out of the bowl hunt. 

Victory & Honor,
Jim



      

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