[NU Sports] The morning report ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Tough game for Cats fans to swallow - it seems like we have the pieces in place (a dangerous inference to our old friend Wanny), but just don't have that confidence to close the deal.

We just don't seize momentum on offense -- it's a double-whammy where most of the game, we're more comfortable playing catch-up and then at the end, we're caught like a deer in the headlights. In the past, we've embraced the former but done the opposite for the latter, but we can't play with fire this year.

For example, after the opening drives of each team left the score at 7-3 Minny, our D makes a stand and it's a great time to take control ... but fizzle. Again, we come out after halftime with a great chance to seize the lead and ... zip, nada, punt. It was the same story with Syracuse. We do a decent job ANSWERING them (until the final minutes), but can't get over that hump when we aren't playing from behind.

But this is not solely an offensive problem - the D can be described as schizophrenic at best, looking great one series and terrible the next. And toward the end, we just got wore down. And the special teams lost the battle of field position all day. So the late turnovers hurt again, but this loss -- like last week -- was a team effort in all three areas. At least this time it's to a better team, but on the bad side, it's a conference loss.

We're a team in need of Kyra Sedgwick -- someone to close the deal. We hung right there with Minnesota despite that horrible start and we had every opportunity to win this game, but we just couldn't seal the deal on those key drives late (though the 4th and 1 touchdown play was a step in that direction). Time to dig deep and suck it up for Purdue next week.

On the plus side, PURPLE FIELDS FOREVER! We need to find ways to get the ball to Arby Fields and Demetrius Fields as many times as possible - Dunsmore, too. And it was nice to see Wootten get some pressure as well. Good, but not good enough.

On the bad side, besides the special teams and boom-or-bust defense, it was nice to see SOMEONE (alum Chris Martin) notice how stupid a call it is to have Kafka roll to his left and throw a floater across the body that is interception bait ... yet we call that play time after time.

As for Minnesota, I think we can safely say that Eric Decker is the best receiver in the league and perhaps even the nation. They need to find a less predictable way to use their version of the Wildcat, but with the opening jitters of the new stadium over and their physicality to go along with Decker, Minny could be a big factor in the Big Ten race. They get a couple winnable games at home and should be 5-1 before a brutal two-game road stretch at OSU and PSU. After that, though, they could run the table if they win at Iowa and be 9-3 with all losses against top 10 teams.

Around the league ...

* Along with Decker on the all-league team, I think we can reserve a spot for Brandon Minor of Michigan as the best running back ... at least until Royster at PSU decides to step up and play.

* Speaking of Michigan, welcome to the gut-wrenching world of the spread offense, Michigan fans. Ask your friends in Evanston for tips on stocking up with extra TUMS. The spread can help you win just about any game you're in, but it can also make every game a close one - even against teams like Indiana that you should beat handily. It took another gutsy performance by Forcier and a homer official call on a late interception to put away Indiana. Still 4-0 looks darn good.

* On the flip side, I think we can start to forecast a Sparty slide -- and it's coming earlier than usual this year. I honestly thought MSU was past this and had the mental toughness, but after two heartbreakers, they laid an absolute egg in Madison. With Michigan and a road trip to Illinois up next, it could quickly go to 1-5 and those Eagles-fan-like boos could rain down in Spartan Stadium.

* Wisconsin, on the other hand, finally looked like a decent team after a sluggish cupcake schedule. It should be real interesting to see the Badgers/Gophers next week and see who steps up as a darkhorse and who is relegated to Motor City Bowl watch status.

Frustrating morning, but we've got the Illini and Buckeyes on deck from Columbus in what is usually a good ole' slobberknocker and then the main event in Happy Valley with the Hog-eyes and Nits. I sure hope the rain stops so we can see the White Out in full effect. It is, far and away, the best atmosphere in sports and an incredible setting for a game -- hopefully the play on the field matches the surroundings.

GO CATS!!!
And GO PURDUE! <For tonight's game with the Evil Empire ONLY>
-SjT

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