[NU Sports] 'Cats-Huskers

[Dennis W. Brandt]

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to say that you're still kidding 
yourself about the talent level of Northwestern football.

Fact:  It has improved since the forgetable days of yester-year and to the 
point that, on any given day, we can win any game.

Fact:  "Any given day" will not occur twelve times a year.  We played our 
best game yesterday, but one game does not greatness make.

Fact: We have gone undefeated in the Big Ten only once in our history 
(1995), haven't ended the season with one loss since 1996, and we haven't 
won a bowl game for 63 years.  During the 21st  century we have not won a 
Big Ten championship and have an overall losing record in the conference as 
well as during Fitz's tenure.

Fact: You argue both that NU football talent is on a par with the better 
conference teams AND the coaching staff is as good as any others, something 
you cannot logically do because it doesn't account for our losing record. 
Either the talent is lacking, the coaching stinks, or both.

Once you obtain a middling level of success, it is unacceptable to be 
content merely with being better than you were when you were utterly 
pathetic.  You can only climb to the championship level by getting players 
who are bigger, stronger, faster, and more athletic than the ones you have 
currently.  Yes, it is marvelous to see an Ebert or a Fitzgerald come from 
nowhere and play at an elevated level.  Those are the guys you really root 
for.  No, the highly ranked players do not always work out, but they will 
succeed more often that low-ranked players will rise to greatness.

You be content with 7 - 5 if you wish.  I will not be happy with the 
Northwestern football program until it is a strong candidate to win the Big 
Ten and kick Ohio State's ass year in and year out.  I darn well guarantee 
you that Fitz believes the same.