[NU Sports] I understand Clark's frustration ... A bowl win has to be priority One ...

[Jonathan Hodges]

Regular season football goals: to win each individual game, get to the
conference championship, get bowl eligible
Bowl eligible AD goals: get to best bowl possible (location, profile, etc.)
Postseason football goal: win the bowl game.

It's pretty easy and I fully believe NU is going about it the right way.
As others have mentioned, though Texas A&M is strong on paper, they are a
6-6 team, just like NU, and had their D torched at times.  NU's offense is
very good and just as able to shred opponents, particularly with #7 behind
center.  And NU under Fitz has proven it can play with anyone, beating the
point spread in all 3 games and taking 2 to OT.

I think that this bowl and matchup are a great opportunity for NU.

Final note on this comment: "its the only thread, and I mean the ONLY
threaad that connects us to the Dark Ages, and it needs to be cut"
I'd completely agree that NU needs to get that elusive win as it's become
the 800 lb. gorilla in the room.  BUT, I'd argue that it isn't exactly a
link to the Dark Ages since NU didn't go to ANY bowls between 1949 and
1995; this will be NU's 9th between 1995 and 2011.  At least NU is putting
together consistently good regular seasons to make such trips.  (Yes, I
know there was only 1 bowl for Big Ten teams until 1975, but you get the
point).  But, it IS a reminder that NU is a perennial underdog: NU has been
the underdog in ALL 9 bowls since 1995 (not sure if they had a point spread
in 1949).

Jonathan

--
Jonathan Hodges
Contributor, HailToPurple
Web: http://www.hailtopurple.com/jhodges/
Twitter: @hailtopurple
Email: j-hodges at alumni.northwestern.edu



On Wed, Dec 7, 2011 at 12:44 PM, Eric Kunkel <wildelk2 at aol.com> wrote:

>
>
>
>  Can't elaborate due to time commitments, but count me on Clark's side on
> this one.  If , since 1949 had won just one bowl game, this wouldn't be an
> issue.  I don't want to bring up bad karma, but its the only thread, and I
> mean the ONLY threaad that connects us to the Dark Ages, and it needs to be
> cut. Don't tell me some of you haven't thought the same thing.
>   With that said, I appreciate Mr. Phillips efforts as well as the well
> thought posts in regards to our bowl in Houston. Of course, I will be
> rooting for our Cats, who once again will be looking up a loaded barrell
> when they take the field 12/31.
>
> GO CATS!!          Eric
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bwdolphin146 <bwdolphin146 at yahoo.com>
> To: nwu-sports <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
> Sent: Wed, Dec 7, 2011 12:57 am
> Subject: [NU Sports] I understand Clark's frustration ... A bowl win has
> to be priority One ...
>
>
> ...But I wouldn't say NU has no chance to win. The Aggies' pass defense is
> readful and assuming McCall cranks it up and NU doesn't get conservative on
> ffense the game should be competitive.
> That said, I agree with Clark that the only thing that matters is a bowl
> win.
> hat awful streak is an anchor on the NU program and it needs to end.
> Somehow.
> Brad Wilson
> ent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
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