Saturday, November 27, 2004
Hawai'i 49, NU 41
I didn't write anything before this game at Hawai'i because I was home for Thanksgiving. I also didn't see the game, and I was sad about the outcome so there was no recap. It was unfun to think about. Sorry bout that.
Monday, November 22, 2004
NU 28, Illinois 21 (OT)
Now here's the thing. I think to really appreciate this year in Northwestern football, you probably have to be me. Or at least someone like me. Maybe you are, in which case I congratulate you. It used to be that I would start thinking and wondering about each upcoming game about 12-24 hours before kickoff. But this year's ups, downs, and sidewayses have kept NU football on my mind basically 5-10 days per week. If we had lost on Saturday, maybe I'd be concentrating on Thanksgiving travel plans or the thing I'm at now. Um. Work. But now. I get another week to ponder whether a win will put us in the Music or Motor City Bowl. So, for that I thank the mighty ApostroCats.
Before I get to the other selfish things I want to say, let me first hit on this selfish part of my review. Yup! It's the Randy Walker-Josh Held Predicto-Stat Showdown. Turnover Margin: NU 0 (1 by, 1 forced). Passing yds per attempt: NU 6.0, UI 4.5. I think I win again. C'mon, Randy. It's time for you bring it!
Anyway, I'll have more specific game things after next week's regular season finale. So I'll end here with a song. It's from the Weather Report, but I like it enough to stick in here too.
O, the Illini's season's over
And they're really glad it is
No more games
No more shame
No more sucking when it's raining
But they love it so much they'll be back next year
So I guess they're pretty slow
Cuz, they think maybe they'll beat the Cats next year
Even when we're ten and oh (and oh and oh).
&
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: It could have been worse. It's nice to see Baz throwing some good passes again.
Cats' D: If we could get them to think every play is 3rd and 8 in overtime. That might be nice.
Cats' Special Teams: It would have been a total special teams disaster if Backes hadn't saved their day.
Go Cats!
Before I get to the other selfish things I want to say, let me first hit on this selfish part of my review. Yup! It's the Randy Walker-Josh Held Predicto-Stat Showdown. Turnover Margin: NU 0 (1 by, 1 forced). Passing yds per attempt: NU 6.0, UI 4.5. I think I win again. C'mon, Randy. It's time for you bring it!
Anyway, I'll have more specific game things after next week's regular season finale. So I'll end here with a song. It's from the Weather Report, but I like it enough to stick in here too.
O, the Illini's season's over
And they're really glad it is
No more games
No more shame
No more sucking when it's raining
But they love it so much they'll be back next year
So I guess they're pretty slow
Cuz, they think maybe they'll beat the Cats next year
Even when we're ten and oh (and oh and oh).
&
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: It could have been worse. It's nice to see Baz throwing some good passes again.
Cats' D: If we could get them to think every play is 3rd and 8 in overtime. That might be nice.
Cats' Special Teams: It would have been a total special teams disaster if Backes hadn't saved their day.
Go Cats!
Friday, November 19, 2004
Illinois Weather Forecast
O, the Illini's season's over
And they're really glad it is
No more games
No more shame
No more sucking when it's raining*
But they love it so much they'll be back next year
So I guess they're pretty slow
Cuz, they think maybe they'll beat the Cats next year
Even when we're ten and oh (and oh and oh).
* See. It's a weather report now! Because I said "rain." Which is weather. Oh shut it.
Go 'Cats!
JIASM
And they're really glad it is
No more games
No more shame
No more sucking when it's raining*
But they love it so much they'll be back next year
So I guess they're pretty slow
Cuz, they think maybe they'll beat the Cats next year
Even when we're ten and oh (and oh and oh).
* See. It's a weather report now! Because I said "rain." Which is weather. Oh shut it.
Go 'Cats!
JIASM
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Illinois Whether Report
Say, Josh, tell me whether...
...Northwestern is favored in this game.
Yes! NU is a 12 point fave and the O/U is 53.5. Interestingly, that would give a score pretty damn close to last year.
...you think Ron Turner will be back coaching the Illini next season.
No. I think he's gone. You need good wins to keep your job in the Big Ten.
...you think UI's three wins so far this year don't count as good.
Florida A&M, Western Michigan (barely) and Indiana (barely). Nuff said.
...you think Noah Herron will rush for 100+ yards tomorrow.
Yup. Maybe 175+.
...you think Terrell Jordan will rush for 100+ yards.
I think maybe. It could be a reprise of the Wright-Herron games (Duke and UI) of last season.
...you've got a senior in mind who could factor in big.
There will be a lot. Outside of Herron, Castillo and Clark...I'm picking (ha ha get it?) John Pickens to have a big game on Senior Day.
...you left anyone out.
Maybe Ashton Aikens too. He of stone hands and fleet feet. He seems to be chipping away at the stone parts, and maybe will have a breakout game.
...it's time for you to go to lab meeting.
Damn! Thanks for reminding me.
...you've got a pick before you go to die of boredom and breakfast foods.
I do! I'll say NU 35-IU 20. The ApostroCats live to see a meaningful game in Hawai'i.
...you can throw in some more Big Ten picks for rivalry weekend.
What the hey. MSU 28-PSU 10, Wisconsin 20-Iowa 17, Purdue 30-IU 12, & Michigan 35-OSU 17.
...Northwestern is favored in this game.
Yes! NU is a 12 point fave and the O/U is 53.5. Interestingly, that would give a score pretty damn close to last year.
...you think Ron Turner will be back coaching the Illini next season.
No. I think he's gone. You need good wins to keep your job in the Big Ten.
...you think UI's three wins so far this year don't count as good.
Florida A&M, Western Michigan (barely) and Indiana (barely). Nuff said.
...you think Noah Herron will rush for 100+ yards tomorrow.
Yup. Maybe 175+.
...you think Terrell Jordan will rush for 100+ yards.
I think maybe. It could be a reprise of the Wright-Herron games (Duke and UI) of last season.
...you've got a senior in mind who could factor in big.
There will be a lot. Outside of Herron, Castillo and Clark...I'm picking (ha ha get it?) John Pickens to have a big game on Senior Day.
...you left anyone out.
Maybe Ashton Aikens too. He of stone hands and fleet feet. He seems to be chipping away at the stone parts, and maybe will have a breakout game.
...it's time for you to go to lab meeting.
Damn! Thanks for reminding me.
...you've got a pick before you go to die of boredom and breakfast foods.
I do! I'll say NU 35-IU 20. The ApostroCats live to see a meaningful game in Hawai'i.
...you can throw in some more Big Ten picks for rivalry weekend.
What the hey. MSU 28-PSU 10, Wisconsin 20-Iowa 17, Purdue 30-IU 12, & Michigan 35-OSU 17.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Illinois Preview
Ah, me. Another Big Ten football season is drawing to a close. As has become usual, NU is taking on in-state rival Illinois. You may recall that last year, down in the balmy southland of Urbana, the ApostroCats rushed the ball until it could be rushed no more. And then some. Northwestern's longest pass of the day was, if I'm not mistaken, completed in the Memorial Stadium parking lot by aspiring quarterback "Little" Billy Cheever. His 16-yard throw was caught by his father "Big" Billy Cheever, who proceeded to spike the ball in some cheese dip. It was an inauspicious day for NU passing, I guess is what I'm trying to say.
But the Cats won anyway, behind a ton of running and some real bad UI offense. This year may be more of the same. I think Baz will be a little more productive on Saturday, but if Herron and Jordan are moving the ball, we can look for 35-40 rushing plays. Or more.
Now, I know that the Illini probably had some sort of Senior Day stuff at Illinois' home finale against Indiana. But I'll spotlight a couple of the seniors here too. I'm sure NU will have the Cats covered on the senior level.
* Jon Beutjer (QB). Let me tell you, he's 24 years old. No seriously. He's a month and a half older than I am. This is his sixth year of playing at UI. Don't ask me how. Plus he's really pretty crappy and fragile. I don't think he'll be seeing time.
* Matt Sinclair (LB). Not quite as old as our dear friend Jon. According to his bio, he wants to own a restaurant after he graduates. I think he should move to Madison and run John's Tacos (John Stocco's).
* Taman Jordan (DB). Now look. I don't anything about him. I know that his major is Rhetoric. And I'm sure that's a great major. Years from now, I guess he'll be able to convince his McDonald's manager to give him an extra day off at Christmas.
And the rest of the bunch...
*Breaking his own record: Sharriff Abdullah (So. DB) is planning to add another double letter to his name. This will help him break his own Big Ten record in that category.
*Get some original names please: Arthur Boyd III, Sam Carson III, Joe Mele III, Duke Preston III, James Stevenson III, Raymond Willis III.
*You, plenty original. Thanks: Kisan Flakes (Fr. QB)
*AND!: Waller, Walker, Tischer, Shafer, Kruger, Kleckner, Frazier, Creamer (eww), Cooper, Buckner, Bower, Beutjer.
GO CATS!
But the Cats won anyway, behind a ton of running and some real bad UI offense. This year may be more of the same. I think Baz will be a little more productive on Saturday, but if Herron and Jordan are moving the ball, we can look for 35-40 rushing plays. Or more.
Now, I know that the Illini probably had some sort of Senior Day stuff at Illinois' home finale against Indiana. But I'll spotlight a couple of the seniors here too. I'm sure NU will have the Cats covered on the senior level.
* Jon Beutjer (QB). Let me tell you, he's 24 years old. No seriously. He's a month and a half older than I am. This is his sixth year of playing at UI. Don't ask me how. Plus he's really pretty crappy and fragile. I don't think he'll be seeing time.
* Matt Sinclair (LB). Not quite as old as our dear friend Jon. According to his bio, he wants to own a restaurant after he graduates. I think he should move to Madison and run John's Tacos (John Stocco's).
* Taman Jordan (DB). Now look. I don't anything about him. I know that his major is Rhetoric. And I'm sure that's a great major. Years from now, I guess he'll be able to convince his McDonald's manager to give him an extra day off at Christmas.
And the rest of the bunch...
*Breaking his own record: Sharriff Abdullah (So. DB) is planning to add another double letter to his name. This will help him break his own Big Ten record in that category.
*Get some original names please: Arthur Boyd III, Sam Carson III, Joe Mele III, Duke Preston III, James Stevenson III, Raymond Willis III.
*You, plenty original. Thanks: Kisan Flakes (Fr. QB)
*AND!: Waller, Walker, Tischer, Shafer, Kruger, Kleckner, Frazier, Creamer (eww), Cooper, Buckner, Bower, Beutjer.
GO CATS!
Monday, November 15, 2004
Michigan 42, NU 20
Well ugh. Now that I'm a couple days removed from the Cats' 20-42 loss to Michigan, I feel capable of writing about it. The funny thing is that last week I would have felt OK if you'd told me that would be the result. But when it was 13-14 in the 3rd quarter I thought maybe there was a chance. Obviously, after that, I found out that I don't keep enough non-breakable items nearby when I watch football. Someone needs to give me a whole set of paper-filled plastic bags or something.
But, to quote my mother, "I enjoyed the first 5/8 of the game." Noah had another nice day, and Baz moved into 1st place in Big Ten passing. I mean, I know that's a joke and Orton hasn't been playing. But it's still cool. No? Also, it was another leg of the the Randy Walker-Josh Held Predicto-Stat Showdown. Turnover Margin: NU 0 (0 by, 0 forced). Passing yds per attempt: NU 4.8, Michigan 5.9. I kinda wish I hadn't won this leg in this fashion. But oh well. I'm also developing a new prediction stat which will be 2nd down effectiveness. I'm not sure how it will be computed, but be on the lookout! New things are fun!
So now for the exciting finale of the Big Ten season. I'm gonna be glad to get off my couch and get myself back to Dyche one more time this year.
&
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Really not too bad. My opinion of Brandon Roberson is improving.
Cats' D: I just hope that they can all recover from this and call it a throw-away half before facing Illinois.
Cats' Spesh: Often-good coverage spoiled. Pretty ok kick returns. Again, B-Rob is gonna be ok in my book soon.
Go Cats! Beat the Ellini*!
* I decided this weekend that I'm going to make fun of the way people pronounce things. Thus the cheers:
E-L-L! I-N-I! & I-G-G-L-E-S! Iggles!
But, to quote my mother, "I enjoyed the first 5/8 of the game." Noah had another nice day, and Baz moved into 1st place in Big Ten passing. I mean, I know that's a joke and Orton hasn't been playing. But it's still cool. No? Also, it was another leg of the the Randy Walker-Josh Held Predicto-Stat Showdown. Turnover Margin: NU 0 (0 by, 0 forced). Passing yds per attempt: NU 4.8, Michigan 5.9. I kinda wish I hadn't won this leg in this fashion. But oh well. I'm also developing a new prediction stat which will be 2nd down effectiveness. I'm not sure how it will be computed, but be on the lookout! New things are fun!
So now for the exciting finale of the Big Ten season. I'm gonna be glad to get off my couch and get myself back to Dyche one more time this year.
&
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Really not too bad. My opinion of Brandon Roberson is improving.
Cats' D: I just hope that they can all recover from this and call it a throw-away half before facing Illinois.
Cats' Spesh: Often-good coverage spoiled. Pretty ok kick returns. Again, B-Rob is gonna be ok in my book soon.
Go Cats! Beat the Ellini*!
* I decided this weekend that I'm going to make fun of the way people pronounce things. Thus the cheers:
E-L-L! I-N-I! & I-G-G-L-E-S! Iggles!
Friday, November 12, 2004
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Michigan Whether Report
Say, Josh, tell me whether...
...Brad forgot to write the Weather Report last week.
Yeah! He did. He's just lucky we won, or he'd have some splainin to do.
...you forgot too.
Well. I guess I kind of did. But in my defense, I totally remembered on Tuesday.
...you went for all of the preview without calling them "whores."
I did. I'm so proud of me.
...you went to the NU basketball exhibition game last night.
It was cool. It was the first game and my season ticket-having self just couldn't pass it up.
...your seat kicks some kind of total ass.
If by ass, you mean like how my ass has to sit on wooden bleacher. Then totally.
...the BasketCats looked good.
In general yes. There's a lot of work to be done by Tim Doyle and T.J. Parker between now and next weekend. Vedran looked like a leader = good news.
...we can get back to the NU Football Cats now.
Yeah. Good point.
...you've got a pick.
Against the odds (Michigan -13.5, O/U 48.5) I'm picking NU 28-Michigan 20.
...Brad forgot to write the Weather Report last week.
Yeah! He did. He's just lucky we won, or he'd have some splainin to do.
...you forgot too.
Well. I guess I kind of did. But in my defense, I totally remembered on Tuesday.
...you went for all of the preview without calling them "whores."
I did. I'm so proud of me.
...you went to the NU basketball exhibition game last night.
It was cool. It was the first game and my season ticket-having self just couldn't pass it up.
...your seat kicks some kind of total ass.
If by ass, you mean like how my ass has to sit on wooden bleacher. Then totally.
...the BasketCats looked good.
In general yes. There's a lot of work to be done by Tim Doyle and T.J. Parker between now and next weekend. Vedran looked like a leader = good news.
...we can get back to the NU Football Cats now.
Yeah. Good point.
...you've got a pick.
Against the odds (Michigan -13.5, O/U 48.5) I'm picking NU 28-Michigan 20.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Michigan Preview
Before I get started, let me just say this. In "researching" these little ditties, I get a lot of my "information" about our opponents from their athletic websites. Not every school has that page one click away from it's institutional front page, so it's nice when I can remember the URLs for the sports sites off-hand. IUHoosiers.com, GopherSports.com, NUSports.com - these are well and good and easy on the eye and ear. But then there's Michigan. MGoBlue.com. Huh? I mean, I get it, but huh? MichiganSports, Wolverines, or just GoBlue was too tough to get? C'mon. Let's get some common sense to go with all that ugly "maize."
In on-field preview stuff. I remember the good old days when Michigan(8-1,6-0) had a well-balanced offense. It's unfortunate for Northwestern that those days, they are still now. And every year, it seems. With (QB) Henne, (RB) Hart, and (WRs) Edwards and Avant. This is probably the scariest offense in the Big Ten now that Purdue and Minnesota are more or less struggling. The ApostroCats' D will have to come up big in individual plays as well as solid team coverage, tackling and pass pressure. No prob.
In all likelihood, NU's offense will have to keep the team in the game on Saturday. Michigan gives up some points, only holding one team below 10 points and allowing more than 20 points 4 times. In a slugfest, the Cats may be able to hold their own.
On the nameward front:
Harold and Kumar go to Tim's house: Tim Bracken (Sr. RB) from White Castle, LA.
Freedom on the offense: Pierre Rembert (So. RB)
Freedon on the defense: Pierre Woods (Jr. LB)
(Freedom at supper-time. When Freedom's on a bagel you can eat Freedom anytime.) Sorry.
Only a couple of these left this year: Spencer, Shazor, Schoonover, Rogers, Myers, Ecker, Barringer.
GO CATS!
In on-field preview stuff. I remember the good old days when Michigan(8-1,6-0) had a well-balanced offense. It's unfortunate for Northwestern that those days, they are still now. And every year, it seems. With (QB) Henne, (RB) Hart, and (WRs) Edwards and Avant. This is probably the scariest offense in the Big Ten now that Purdue and Minnesota are more or less struggling. The ApostroCats' D will have to come up big in individual plays as well as solid team coverage, tackling and pass pressure. No prob.
In all likelihood, NU's offense will have to keep the team in the game on Saturday. Michigan gives up some points, only holding one team below 10 points and allowing more than 20 points 4 times. In a slugfest, the Cats may be able to hold their own.
On the nameward front:
Harold and Kumar go to Tim's house: Tim Bracken (Sr. RB) from White Castle, LA.
Freedom on the offense: Pierre Rembert (So. RB)
Freedon on the defense: Pierre Woods (Jr. LB)
(Freedom at supper-time. When Freedom's on a bagel you can eat Freedom anytime.) Sorry.
Only a couple of these left this year: Spencer, Shazor, Schoonover, Rogers, Myers, Ecker, Barringer.
GO CATS!
Monday, November 08, 2004
NU 14, Penn State 7
How many times do I have to call for Joe Paterno's retirement before he listens up? It's not just because his team has lost a million games. And it's not just because they lost a million games for the second straight year. It's because when he's asked what the problems are and how to correct them, he no longer has any idea. It's time to hand everything over to some long-time assistant.
That said, I'll stop complaining about things I can't control and talk about the ApostroCats nice little win on Saturday. Noah Herron...No wait! More complaining! Did anyone else think the ESPN+ broadcast of the game was just deplorable? My major beef (which would be a great Cow Commandos character name): framing shots so that you can tell where the play occurs on the field. Now, I know we can't have the cute yellow line for every game. It's expensive. Fine. Can we at least get camera angles that reveal, I don't know, yard-line numbers or line-to-gain markers? AAAGH!
Ok. End of complaining for real. Noah had a great day, and it would have been even better if he'd been in the whole time. BB had (for him) a great day as well. The short story version of the day goes right along with the Randy Walker-Josh Held Predicto-Stat Showdown. Turnover Margin: NU -2 (2 by, 1 forced). Passing yds per attempt: NU 7.6, PSU 5.2. That's another point for me! Maybe some day I'll let everyone in on the way I score this Showdown...after I win. Maybe.
&
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Noah + receivers + efficient Baz = yay!
Cats' D: PSU is an ineffective offense, so that didn't hurt us.
Cats' Special Teams: Our kick coverage has gotten downright good. And the kickoffs were ok. And punting too. Just need someone reliable back there on punts.
Go Cats! Beat the Wolverines!
That said, I'll stop complaining about things I can't control and talk about the ApostroCats nice little win on Saturday. Noah Herron...No wait! More complaining! Did anyone else think the ESPN+ broadcast of the game was just deplorable? My major beef (which would be a great Cow Commandos character name): framing shots so that you can tell where the play occurs on the field. Now, I know we can't have the cute yellow line for every game. It's expensive. Fine. Can we at least get camera angles that reveal, I don't know, yard-line numbers or line-to-gain markers? AAAGH!
Ok. End of complaining for real. Noah had a great day, and it would have been even better if he'd been in the whole time. BB had (for him) a great day as well. The short story version of the day goes right along with the Randy Walker-Josh Held Predicto-Stat Showdown. Turnover Margin: NU -2 (2 by, 1 forced). Passing yds per attempt: NU 7.6, PSU 5.2. That's another point for me! Maybe some day I'll let everyone in on the way I score this Showdown...after I win. Maybe.
&
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Noah + receivers + efficient Baz = yay!
Cats' D: PSU is an ineffective offense, so that didn't hurt us.
Cats' Special Teams: Our kick coverage has gotten downright good. And the kickoffs were ok. And punting too. Just need someone reliable back there on punts.
Go Cats! Beat the Wolverines!
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Penn State Whether Report
Say, Josh, tell me whether...
...the line is where you expected it.
Yes. It's pretty close anyway. It's at PSU -3.5, O/U 38. I might have made it closer to a pick-em game. But it's a'ight since their at home.
...You were right last year when you predicted Paterno's last campaign would be this year.
Probably not. I still think he should announce his retirement in the off-season and then take a farewell season. He does kind of deserve it.
...Vinny Castillo will come down with another interception this week.
Um..isn't he a baseball player? Like for the Rockies or someone?
...Luis Castillo will come down with a pick.
Probably not. But maybe he'll come down with a case of In-Mills-Face...itis.
...Kim Thompson will show what he's doing here as a starter.
Yes. He'll lead the team in catches.
...Kim Thompson will show when it's a running play, by being in the game.
No. No more 8-in-the-box when K-Thom is in.
...You're gonna stop calling him K-Thom now.
Yeah. That name sucks. Maybe just KT or something more manly. How about Brutus?
...you're gonna pick NU again.
But of course! I'm going with NU 24-PSU 13.
...the line is where you expected it.
Yes. It's pretty close anyway. It's at PSU -3.5, O/U 38. I might have made it closer to a pick-em game. But it's a'ight since their at home.
...You were right last year when you predicted Paterno's last campaign would be this year.
Probably not. I still think he should announce his retirement in the off-season and then take a farewell season. He does kind of deserve it.
...Vinny Castillo will come down with another interception this week.
Um..isn't he a baseball player? Like for the Rockies or someone?
...Luis Castillo will come down with a pick.
Probably not. But maybe he'll come down with a case of In-Mills-Face...itis.
...Kim Thompson will show what he's doing here as a starter.
Yes. He'll lead the team in catches.
...Kim Thompson will show when it's a running play, by being in the game.
No. No more 8-in-the-box when K-Thom is in.
...You're gonna stop calling him K-Thom now.
Yeah. That name sucks. Maybe just KT or something more manly. How about Brutus?
...you're gonna pick NU again.
But of course! I'm going with NU 24-PSU 13.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Penn State Preview
Well, it's time for the Northwestern Wildcats to go on another road trip. So far this year, those have turned out...not...good. Also, we're headed to State College, PA. Our record there is less than stunning at 0 and 4 (PSU has only been in the Big Ten since 1993, if I'm not mistaken.) Those four losses have been pretty bad. It's time to turn it around, so let's see how we're gonna do it.
I usually look at on-the-field match-ups when I do this, but I think one of our strengths this week will be on the sidelines. I don't want to say that Joe Pa is old and crotchety, but just take a look at this snippet from the Lions' coach's weekly press conference.
Q. Do you feel better about the offense after getting in the endzone against OSU?
A. I feel great. If we score 10 points every week, we should win some games. Twenty-one in a game is unrealistic to expect from most opponents.
Q. Is [QB Zack] Mills going to see much time against Northwestern?
A. I'm expecting him to play every down. Most of our guys go both ways, but he's got a concussion. I think maybe we'll platoon him a little at safety and punter.
Q. What are your first thoughts about Northwestern?
A. I've known [NU Coach] Ara [Parseghian] for a long time. I noticed that they experimented with some forward passes in their first game against Texas Christian. I'm not really surprised that they stopped doing that once the Big Ten conference season began.
Q. Good luck on Saturday, Coach.
A. What the hell is that black and grey thing?
Q. It's a microphone.
A. I don't care what it is. I think it's got the demon!
But we may as well look at the players too. PSU plays two QBs: Zack Mills and QB/WR Michael Robinson. Robinson is also the leader receiver (in yards.) The team has one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, and one of (if not) the worst offenses. So, who knows what that means? It means NU's O and D just need to play like they can, and not like they have sometimes.
And, wearing blue and white:
From parts confusing: Lee Kuzemchak (So. DT) from Indiana, PA.
Everything but the: Adam Senk (Jr. RB)
It's no BenJarvis, but it's a start: BranDon Snow (So. LB)
And: Weber, Palmer, Kilmer (I hardly even know Mer!), Ganter, Ganter, Connor, Bauer.
GO CATS!
I usually look at on-the-field match-ups when I do this, but I think one of our strengths this week will be on the sidelines. I don't want to say that Joe Pa is old and crotchety, but just take a look at this snippet from the Lions' coach's weekly press conference.
Q. Do you feel better about the offense after getting in the endzone against OSU?
A. I feel great. If we score 10 points every week, we should win some games. Twenty-one in a game is unrealistic to expect from most opponents.
Q. Is [QB Zack] Mills going to see much time against Northwestern?
A. I'm expecting him to play every down. Most of our guys go both ways, but he's got a concussion. I think maybe we'll platoon him a little at safety and punter.
Q. What are your first thoughts about Northwestern?
A. I've known [NU Coach] Ara [Parseghian] for a long time. I noticed that they experimented with some forward passes in their first game against Texas Christian. I'm not really surprised that they stopped doing that once the Big Ten conference season began.
Q. Good luck on Saturday, Coach.
A. What the hell is that black and grey thing?
Q. It's a microphone.
A. I don't care what it is. I think it's got the demon!
But we may as well look at the players too. PSU plays two QBs: Zack Mills and QB/WR Michael Robinson. Robinson is also the leader receiver (in yards.) The team has one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, and one of (if not) the worst offenses. So, who knows what that means? It means NU's O and D just need to play like they can, and not like they have sometimes.
And, wearing blue and white:
From parts confusing: Lee Kuzemchak (So. DT) from Indiana, PA.
Everything but the: Adam Senk (Jr. RB)
It's no BenJarvis, but it's a start: BranDon Snow (So. LB)
And: Weber, Palmer, Kilmer (I hardly even know Mer!), Ganter, Ganter, Connor, Bauer.
GO CATS!
Monday, November 01, 2004
NU 13, Purdue 10
Well, ok. I guess since he just got out of the hospital, Randy Walker had the emotional edge in the Randy Walker-Josh Held Predicto-Stat Showdown. Turnover Margin: NU +2 (0 by, 2 forced). Passing yds per attempt: NU 4.8, Purdue 4.9. So, you know good for him. Also good for me, since I'd be perfectly happy if we had zero passing yards and still won.
In other prediction news, I was off by about 10,000 fans in total attendance and I predicted almost exactly twice as many points. But I totally had the proportions right! So, I'm calling this a moral victory for my prediction powers. Oh, yeah. The Cats won too.
Could it be that Homecoming actually has a positive impact on Northwestern's play? Well, not just in the way that you're thinking! I think I've seen us go at least 3-4 on homecoming since I started at NU.
And, just to wrap up the weekend. The Eagles won to go 7-0. I got 0 trick-or-treaters, which means I have candy in places I never knew candy could be. And it feels great.
&
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: I'm willing to blame the wind a little but 11 for 30 is not good with the passing.
Cats' D: Way to be! Knocking out a QB, while ethically hazy, is super-sweet.
Cats' Special Teams: Ugh! I don't know what to say. I didn't like our returns or punts. But the coverage was ok mostly. Cept that once.
Go Cats! Beat the Lions!
In other prediction news, I was off by about 10,000 fans in total attendance and I predicted almost exactly twice as many points. But I totally had the proportions right! So, I'm calling this a moral victory for my prediction powers. Oh, yeah. The Cats won too.
Could it be that Homecoming actually has a positive impact on Northwestern's play? Well, not just in the way that you're thinking! I think I've seen us go at least 3-4 on homecoming since I started at NU.
And, just to wrap up the weekend. The Eagles won to go 7-0. I got 0 trick-or-treaters, which means I have candy in places I never knew candy could be. And it feels great.
&
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: I'm willing to blame the wind a little but 11 for 30 is not good with the passing.
Cats' D: Way to be! Knocking out a QB, while ethically hazy, is super-sweet.
Cats' Special Teams: Ugh! I don't know what to say. I didn't like our returns or punts. But the coverage was ok mostly. Cept that once.
Go Cats! Beat the Lions!
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