[NU Sports] Early lines, etc.

[Tom Maycock]

I'm with Alan--I think this team is going to be very good, with the potential to 
be very, very good. 

Whether or not the record will reflect that is another question. Even the best 
NU teams have had a pretty tiny margin for error against better opponents (and 
not that much of a margin against the weaker teams). 

That 4 game stretch at the end looks particularly brutal. At least based on 
their performance last year, you are looking at three potential BCS-bowl teams, 
plus a rivalry game in an unfamiliar setting. The Cats could play very well and 
still lose all 4, or go 1-3. Or win them all. 

I think we'll be in every game. The final W-L record will probably come down to 
a few key plays. I'm pretty optimistic about our chances to have a season on par 
with last year, *if* we stay healthy. 

I expect the QB and WR positions to be as good, and figure the RB position to be 
better. OL should be as good if not better. I expect big, big things from 
Dunsmore, both Fields (D and A), and Persa. 

Defense is the question. I think the LBs will be as good or better. I'm pretty 
comfortable with the safeties. The DL is a question mark. Would I rather have a 
100% Corey Wotton back? Sure, but we didn't have (close to) a 100% Wotton last 
year either. Mark me down as guardedly optimistic there. 

What worries me is cornerbacks. I don't know that McManis was every totally 
healthy last year, but he still changed a few games around almost 
single-handedly. Can Mabin step up to that level, and more importantly, will the 
other side be as good as Mabin was last year?

Special teams? It seems we now have a dedicated punter, which has to be a good 
thing. Demos had his moments, but he's the first to tell you he's no great 
punter. If we can get 40+ yards with hang time on every kick, we'll be a few 
scores ahead of last year on that basis alone. 

I do expect Demos to have a monster year as a place kicker. The bowl game clouds 
memories a bit, but (until he got banged up, I think) he was as good as we've 
had at that position most of the year. 

Simmons, with Jacob Schmidt leading the way, can do things on KO returns. Get me 
a decent punt returner and I'll be really excited about our special teams. 

Maybe it's pre-season rose-colored glasses, but I'm really excited about how 
good this team would be. However, I don't particularly like how the schedule 
lays out. So, it should be interesting from start to finish. 

Tom