[NU Sports] Penn State and Bowl hopes

[hakirsch at aol.com]

I will be going to the game on Saturday and am not optimistic about this one nor any of the other 2 contender teams on the docket. Any thing can happen in college so no one can go the bank with it, but given that we have only beaten lousy teams and some of those by a  few hairs, I think we are looking at 6 wins.  I would not turn down any bowl bids at 6-6, but I dont think we would be deserving of any unless we pull one upset.

In general I am concerned about NU and Fitz-Quite honestly, I would say we are a cut below mediocrity-I have been a big supporter of his allowing him a few years given his youth and unexpected ascension.  Last year he proved he knew how to win, but if this year is indicative of the next few years (and we need to wait and see how we do in 2010 and 2011) I would seriously consider replacing him with a seasoned guy if we dont improve--My goals for the team are to be at least .500 in conf most years and go to a bowl every other year or so--as well as running a clean program where our graduation rate is among the highest in the country. These are not super high standards, but ones that I think can make us proud as part of the NU family if achieved. And right now I am pessimistic about achieving these the next few years.

Harry
-----Original Message-----
From: NEONRye at aol.com
To: artmiller_news at yahoo.com; nwu-sports at tssi.com; tkmaycock at yahoo.com
Sent: Mon, Oct 26, 2009 3:45 pm
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Penn State and Bowl hopes



Have to lend my support to Tom's and Art's spot-on comments.    Assuming we 
eat the Illini, unless we win one of the remaining "Big 3", here's  whom 
e will have beaten to "achieve" bowl eligibility:

owson
. Michigan
urdue
iami Ohio
ndiana
llinois 

ot exactly a "Murderers Row", with a couple of the foes having no wins or  
 or 2 wins at most.  And, couple that with that painful loss at 'Cuse  
which, while improved, is still a horrible team), and we will barely be  
eserving, as much as I hate to admit it.  Yet I still see a silver lining  
hrough this cloud.

f we can upset Joe Pa, Bumblebees or Bucky, then we're talking.  And  I 
emain hopeful that there is one "statement" game left in Fitz's "tank" for  
his team.  One game, as others have stated, where the team plays Four  
nspired, gutsy, competent, mistake-free Quarters of football, and shocks the  
orld.  As I noted Sat. night in a post, in order for this dream scenario  to 
e realistic, we need to "get healthy" in a hurry.  Our decimated  Secondary 
nd Offensive Backfield must each regain some players who have been  
idelined.  And finally, Corey Wooton has to find the formula that made him  a 
rojected First Rounder.  He seemed to have more spark last week, and I  think 
aybe this Saturday will be his breakout game, as his foot heals and his  
nee gets stronger.  The goal-line stand by the "D" vs. Indy is something  
hat has to give that unit a lot of confidence that they are getting back to 
he  standards set by last year's squad, even with all of the injuries to  
vercome.  

aul Levinson
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