[NU Sports] A big test for Fitz this week

[Joe Thiegs]

I have a theory--well, several of them, I suppose.  One of them, though, is
that Syracuse is better than anyone outside of upstate New York--and
probably most anyone in upstate New York--believes.  I'm not saying they're
necessarily good, just significantly better than almost everyone assumes in
light of their record the past couple of years, new coach, new starting QB,
etc.  

Consider exhibit 1:  Opening game vs. Minnesota.  After Minnesota scored
quickly and easily to start the game, the Orange really stiffened up, took a
lead, and took the Gophers to overtime before falling.  Minnesota, despite a
brutal schedule this season, by most accounts looks significantly improved
over last year's 7-6 team.  In Week 2, even with worries about distraction
with all the hubbub of the grand opening celebration for the new stadium,
the Gophers beat triple-option threat Air Force 20-13, holding the Falcons
to just three first half-points a week after AFA won 72-0 (sure, it was
against Nicholls State, but scoring over 70 against anyone not in D-II or
-III is still impressive in my book).

Consider exhibit 2:  Second game @ Penn State.  While the Orange only scored
seven points in a 28-7 loss, they had other opportunities to score (dropped
pass in the end zone) and held PSU to no more than a touchdown in any
quarter.  I read that at one point they kept PSU out of the end zone on four
straight plays when the Nittany Lions had 1st-and-goal at the Syracuse
2-yard line.  Against a top-10 team on the road, it could have been a lot
worse.

I fully expect the 'Cats to win, but I believe it will be a significantly
tougher test for NU than Towson and EMU (and considering we have had a hard
time putting opponents away, things could get interesting).

-Joe


-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com] On
Behalf Of Mike Nolan
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 1:49 PM
To: Jim Leonard
Cc: Northwestern Wildcats
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] A big test for Fitz this week

> Fitz has better all-around talent than Syracuse and his players aren't
distracted with classes yet. I am hoping and expecting that Fitz can coach
his way to a victory this Saturday. 

I'm not so convinced that NU has noticeably more talent on its roster 
than Syracuse does.   How many 2, 3 and 4 star recruits are on both squads?

Classes not having started is not always a positive.  I know there is a
limit
to the number of players who can practice before the first day of classes,
but maybe that limit goes away after the first game as well?

Having said that I agree that this is a big game for Fitz and the Cats,
in a stadium that has often been a hard place to earn a road victory.

There's a theory that a team improves the most between the first and
second games.  I can't say that I noticed any improvement based on the
radio play-by-play call, if anything the second game was a bit shakier 
than the first one, though at least the team now knows it has a field 
goal kicker that can come through in the clutch.  
--
Mike Nolan

_______________________________________________
nwu-sports site list
nwu-sports at tssi.com
http://romaine.tssi.com/mailman/listinfo/nwu-sports