[NU Sports] Around the league today ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Love the ground game for the Cats today! Granted it's EIU, but practice makes perfect. Colter is a better QB than Persa at running the option (and his body is paying the price for it), but I still want to see Dan back under the center ASAP. Still, nice to know our backup is ready to step in! Now close out the fourth strong and get ready for Army!

Elsewhere in the league ...

* WISCONSIN wasn't quite as impressive this week. They gradually wore the Beavers down, but coaches need to look at that first half film to see what the smaller OSU defenders were able to do to shut down the Badger running game.

* MSU rebounded impressively - which is good, because they'll need to be sharp in South Bend next week.

* ILLINOIS looked like their offense is in midseason form as well ... could be a high scoring game in a couple weeks for that stovepipe hat.

* OSU looked mighty vulnerable. I think other Big Ten teams might be smelling some blood in the water after this week in Columbus. We'll see if they can respond at Miami or if a downward slide is beginning.

* IO_A? Well, it is a big rivalry over in Cornland, but they still have no excuse. Totally outplayed, and despite rooting for the Big Ten in general out of league play, I must admit I had a smile on my face.

* PENN STATE remains my sleeper team and the most likely team to make it to Indy this year who doesn't wear red and white uniforms. They came out strong and unafraid of Bama and the SEC mystique ... but that bogus spot on Bama's fake punt really turned that game around. That was a terrible call and it really ended all upset momentum. But still, PSU looked decent against the mighty Slick Nick Saban and they won't face a defense as tough as Bama's for the rest of the year.

* MINNESOTA and PURDUE are in trouble. I kind of expected more out of both of them. We'll see if they can come back.

* For the nightcaps, UNL looks like a win, INDIANA looks like they're facing an 0-2 start and MICHIGAN is the mystery. The Irish defense looked good last week, and if their coach manages to keep some semblance of control over his embarrassing temper (kudos to Wilbon for nailing him on it all week!), that could be a nip-and-tuck game.

But overall, great to see an NU game that does not come down to the wire and keeps the clock purple!

GO CATS!!!
-SjT
 
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STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!! GEAUX SAINTS!!!
Super Bowl XLIV Champions!
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