I have heard your pleas. "What ever happened to our favorite multi-multi-named Big Ten running back?" That was what your pleas sounded like.
Well, apparently BenJarvus Four-Namus is now playing for Ole Miss. They're playing a good game against Georgia right now, so good for him.
Now back to your regularly scheduled worrying about other former Indiana Hoosiers. Where have you gone, Matt LoVecchio? Courtney Roby turns his lonely eyes to you.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Friday, September 29, 2006
Penn State Whether Report
Say Josh, tell me whether...
...you're still disappointed about the Nevada loss.
I'm always disappointed about every loss. But I got over this one quickly.
...you'll ever watching another game at Tom's house.
Not for a little while, I think. We've gotta vacate the jinx first.
...you're going to write a road trip guide for the PSU game.
Yeah right. Road trips to Penn State are like a rite of passage. You do it once, and then you never speak of it again. I did mine 8 years ago, and I fall asleep driving just thinking about it.
More after the jump.
...Paul Pozluszny is the best LB in the Big Ten.
To me, PP suffers from Ray Lewis Syndrome. Other notable LBs with RLS include A.J. Hawk and Chad Greenway. Symptoms include: every made tackle is described as a wonder of modern football; every missed tackle is glossed over and completely forgotten by the public.
...you're going to quickly wrap things up this week.
Yeah. I wanna start saving a little brainpower for work (just for a week or two, I promise). The spread keeps climbing, but let's call it at PSU -19 1/2. O/U is around 41.5. I'm going to take the ApostroCats (suprised?): NU 21, PSU 20.
...you're still disappointed about the Nevada loss.
I'm always disappointed about every loss. But I got over this one quickly.
...you'll ever watching another game at Tom's house.
Not for a little while, I think. We've gotta vacate the jinx first.
...you're going to write a road trip guide for the PSU game.
Yeah right. Road trips to Penn State are like a rite of passage. You do it once, and then you never speak of it again. I did mine 8 years ago, and I fall asleep driving just thinking about it.
More after the jump.
...Paul Pozluszny is the best LB in the Big Ten.
To me, PP suffers from Ray Lewis Syndrome. Other notable LBs with RLS include A.J. Hawk and Chad Greenway. Symptoms include: every made tackle is described as a wonder of modern football; every missed tackle is glossed over and completely forgotten by the public.
...you're going to quickly wrap things up this week.
Yeah. I wanna start saving a little brainpower for work (just for a week or two, I promise). The spread keeps climbing, but let's call it at PSU -19 1/2. O/U is around 41.5. I'm going to take the ApostroCats (suprised?): NU 21, PSU 20.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Is he me? Am I him?
Was alerted to the following:
www.joshuaheld.com
I'm pretty sure this guy resides in Italy, so there's little chance of us getting confused for each other. But let there be no mistake. I am the original. Never to be beaten.
More on this story as it unfolds.
www.joshuaheld.com
I'm pretty sure this guy resides in Italy, so there's little chance of us getting confused for each other. But let there be no mistake. I am the original. Never to be beaten.
More on this story as it unfolds.
Penn State Weather Forecast
On Saturday, in State College, PA, college football fans can expect to see similar conditions to last week in Columbus, OH. Specifically, there will be a frequently-sprinting Joe Paterno.
In the first quarter, with heavy cloud cover overhead, the Penn State coach will seek additional warmth. A slow sprint to the locker room will allow him to bask in the glow of a fire kindled by the resumes of coaches applying for his job.
Shortly after halftime, the skies will open for a smattering of rain. The Nittany Ferret mascot will see what he thinks is a bedraggled rat, and he will chase it around the field until he (the ferret) gets tired. Willie will have no interest in this spectacle, because he will be busy dining on raw lion meat.
As the youngest and oldest coaches in D-IA complete their post-game handshake, the sun will burst through! Forgetting what exactly the rules are for vampires, Paterno will try to shield the sun's harmful rays by by imbibing Fitz's succulent blood. Naturally, Coach will flee across the field & he will escape when Joe Pa gets lost between the 35- and 40-yard lines.
Cats win!
In the first quarter, with heavy cloud cover overhead, the Penn State coach will seek additional warmth. A slow sprint to the locker room will allow him to bask in the glow of a fire kindled by the resumes of coaches applying for his job.
Shortly after halftime, the skies will open for a smattering of rain. The Nittany Ferret mascot will see what he thinks is a bedraggled rat, and he will chase it around the field until he (the ferret) gets tired. Willie will have no interest in this spectacle, because he will be busy dining on raw lion meat.
As the youngest and oldest coaches in D-IA complete their post-game handshake, the sun will burst through! Forgetting what exactly the rules are for vampires, Paterno will try to shield the sun's harmful rays by by imbibing Fitz's succulent blood. Naturally, Coach will flee across the field & he will escape when Joe Pa gets lost between the 35- and 40-yard lines.
Cats win!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Penn State Preview
Well, Northwestern had a 1-week delay to prepare for the Big Ten season. Was last week's loss to Nevada a good tune-up (albeit a loss) or just another swipe at the Cats' already battered knees? The world may never know, but this weekend at Penn State is likely to be an even tougher challenge.
Nevada did not have a stellar defense; witness 246 rushing yards for NU. PSU's defense averages just over 80 rushing yards allowed. The Cats had 21 points despite 5 turnovers last week. You'd think that would be promising; Just cut down on the turnovers! If the good part of that offense shows up against Penn State (which scores just about 23 points per game) it might be close. If the ball-coughing part shows, look out for a long day.
More after the jump.
Who all you need to know...
Nevada did not have a stellar defense; witness 246 rushing yards for NU. PSU's defense averages just over 80 rushing yards allowed. The Cats had 21 points despite 5 turnovers last week. You'd think that would be promising; Just cut down on the turnovers! If the good part of that offense shows up against Penn State (which scores just about 23 points per game) it might be close. If the ball-coughing part shows, look out for a long day.
More after the jump.
Who all you need to know...
- Anthony "Tony" Morelli - The Penn State QB is not outstanding, but he's experienced. He's got as many TDs as INTs.
- Tony "Anthony" Hunt - The Lions' main rushing threat. He averages almost 6 yards per carry, and has a couple TDs.
- Paul "I'm the only Big Ten linebacker anyone can name now" Pusluszny - Yeah. This LB is pretty good, but he's way WAY overrated.
- BranDon Snow (#30, RB) - I guess he's not running a lot for them now, but the senior has stupid caps in his name, and always makes the list.
- Knowledge Timmons (#21, CB) and Brent Wise (#15, CB) - Please tell me these two are in the same defensive backfield. And the same kinesiology class.
- Baker, Butler, Connor, Ganter, Lawlor, Ohmberger, Ridenhour, Shuler, Weber - .
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Nevada 31, NU 21
Well, bleh. 5 turnovers, and we only got one our own. There are some silver linings, though, so why don't we concentrate on them.
Deante Battle has been playing better over the last two weeks. Ever since a poor performance (according to me) against New Hampshire, he's been hitting harder and covering better. Plus he came up with that one pick.
4 more sacks. Brings our season total to about 10 or 11, I think. If we're going to be relying on our defense to keep us in games, sacks and other TFL will be the key to stopping drives.
Improved passing from Kafka (other than the picks) and good team rushing make you believe that if the offense and defense both picked it up at the same time, we could win a couple conference games.
More after the jump.
Josh's StatWatch
NU Passing yards/attempt: 5.8 yds/att (better than 6.5 = good)
Record after Game 4:
Josh's prediction: 0 wins (2-2 predicting individual outcomes)
NU Record: 2-2
And
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: This was what we need, but with added INTs. Get rid of them.
Cats' D: Not an easy offense to stop, but they did enough. The offense should have won this one.
Cats' Special Teams: 0-2 on FGs is not really a surprise. Other kicking and coverage was just fine.
Let's go Cats!
Deante Battle has been playing better over the last two weeks. Ever since a poor performance (according to me) against New Hampshire, he's been hitting harder and covering better. Plus he came up with that one pick.
4 more sacks. Brings our season total to about 10 or 11, I think. If we're going to be relying on our defense to keep us in games, sacks and other TFL will be the key to stopping drives.
Improved passing from Kafka (other than the picks) and good team rushing make you believe that if the offense and defense both picked it up at the same time, we could win a couple conference games.
More after the jump.
Josh's StatWatch
NU Passing yards/attempt: 5.8 yds/att (better than 6.5 = good)
Record after Game 4:
Josh's prediction: 0 wins (2-2 predicting individual outcomes)
NU Record: 2-2
And
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: This was what we need, but with added INTs. Get rid of them.
Cats' D: Not an easy offense to stop, but they did enough. The offense should have won this one.
Cats' Special Teams: 0-2 on FGs is not really a surprise. Other kicking and coverage was just fine.
Let's go Cats!
Friday, September 22, 2006
Nevada Whether Report
Say Josh, tell me whether...
...this whole Ken Jennings things has gone to your head a little.
I don't think I'd say that, no.
...you're currently wearing your "I'm special now that I've been linked on ken-jennings.com" tshirt.
Only because my "I was linked on ken-jennings.com & and all I got..." shirt is in the wash.
...you've been able to tear yourself away from self-adoration to think about the Nevada game.
Oh totally. My main thoughts concern our defense. I think they will be able to stand up against Nevada. I like the 3-4 and I hope we use it well to let our LBs make good, quick reads and stop plays.
...there's been any word on who starts at QB for the Cats.
I haven't seen anything, but I think you've gotta start Kafka. Our offense is the most effective (as is any spread offense) when we threaten to complete plays to all parts of the field. That means long and middle passes have to be in the arsenal, and Brewer just doesn't have them yet. Kafka might not either, but at least people may think he does.
More after the jump.
...Nevada's "pistol" formation is the only weaponry they've got.
Actually, they'll also employ the "flash-bang," in which all the DLs and LBs jump and scream at the snap, but they don't actually do any damage.
...any other future opponents will use similar ord'nance.
I'm pretty sure OSU uses the "Gatling Ginn" and U of I runs most plays out of the "pop-gun" formation.
..there's a line on this game.
No. There's no interest in gambling in Reno, NV. But if there were, it would be UNR -7, O/U 47.
...you're still going to pick the Cats, even when they're the dogs.
Aren't you the clever one. Yes. I say NU 21, Nevada 19. NU prevents a 2-point try at the end to keep the Wolfpack from tying it up.
Cats win!
...this whole Ken Jennings things has gone to your head a little.
I don't think I'd say that, no.
...you're currently wearing your "I'm special now that I've been linked on ken-jennings.com" tshirt.
Only because my "I was linked on ken-jennings.com & and all I got..." shirt is in the wash.
...you've been able to tear yourself away from self-adoration to think about the Nevada game.
Oh totally. My main thoughts concern our defense. I think they will be able to stand up against Nevada. I like the 3-4 and I hope we use it well to let our LBs make good, quick reads and stop plays.
...there's been any word on who starts at QB for the Cats.
I haven't seen anything, but I think you've gotta start Kafka. Our offense is the most effective (as is any spread offense) when we threaten to complete plays to all parts of the field. That means long and middle passes have to be in the arsenal, and Brewer just doesn't have them yet. Kafka might not either, but at least people may think he does.
More after the jump.
...Nevada's "pistol" formation is the only weaponry they've got.
Actually, they'll also employ the "flash-bang," in which all the DLs and LBs jump and scream at the snap, but they don't actually do any damage.
...any other future opponents will use similar ord'nance.
I'm pretty sure OSU uses the "Gatling Ginn" and U of I runs most plays out of the "pop-gun" formation.
..there's a line on this game.
No. There's no interest in gambling in Reno, NV. But if there were, it would be UNR -7, O/U 47.
...you're still going to pick the Cats, even when they're the dogs.
Aren't you the clever one. Yes. I say NU 21, Nevada 19. NU prevents a 2-point try at the end to keep the Wolfpack from tying it up.
Cats win!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Nevada Weather Forecast
So, we need two weather forecasts for tomorrow's game, since some of you may be in Reno while others may be staying home in Chicago.
In Reno, the forecast calls for nickel-sized hail. Get out your change cups and collect it for the slots. There's a machine on the back of every seat in Mackay Stadium. Now, the under-age Nevada players (Wolfpackers?) will not be interested in such pursuits, but the legal ones will pause to partake of the serendipitous arts. Too bad two of those seniors are the QB and RB. Hey buddy! Game's over there!
In Chicago, you'll be watching the game on ESPN2 (The Doi). The weather in each individual living room and sports bar may vary, but your psychic vibrations as you concentrate on the game will urge the ApostroCats on to great things. Wear your lucky sock, because that's the key to the whole psychic vibration deal.
Cats Win!
In Reno, the forecast calls for nickel-sized hail. Get out your change cups and collect it for the slots. There's a machine on the back of every seat in Mackay Stadium. Now, the under-age Nevada players (Wolfpackers?) will not be interested in such pursuits, but the legal ones will pause to partake of the serendipitous arts. Too bad two of those seniors are the QB and RB. Hey buddy! Game's over there!
In Chicago, you'll be watching the game on ESPN2 (The Doi). The weather in each individual living room and sports bar may vary, but your psychic vibrations as you concentrate on the game will urge the ApostroCats on to great things. Wear your lucky sock, because that's the key to the whole psychic vibration deal.
Cats Win!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Celebrinerd Update
You all laughed when I wrote yesterday that the word "celebrinerd" would bring me great fame and fortune. Well, the fortune may be slower in coming, but the fame is about as big as it can get. I mean, how many of you got linked in Ken's blog post today? Well, maybe you did, like the people linked below, but otherwise HA!
It may not seem like much to you now, but just wait until my internet stardom launches me to a hosting job on Nickelodeon Games and Sports. I love that network! Channel 215 on your digital cable dial. I can't believe I'm missing Figure it Out right now while at "work". But I guess that makes me an oblivinerd, or something.
Hope any new readers are having fun here. Go Cats! Beat the Wolfpack!
Where there's a Will [ken-jennings.com]
Celebrinerds [Immodest Proposals]
Another day, another made up word [Owner of the BFT]
It may not seem like much to you now, but just wait until my internet stardom launches me to a hosting job on Nickelodeon Games and Sports. I love that network! Channel 215 on your digital cable dial. I can't believe I'm missing Figure it Out right now while at "work". But I guess that makes me an oblivinerd, or something.
Hope any new readers are having fun here. Go Cats! Beat the Wolfpack!
Where there's a Will [ken-jennings.com]
Celebrinerds [Immodest Proposals]
Another day, another made up word [Owner of the BFT]
Nevada Preview
You know what we haven't had in a while? A good quarterback controversy at Northwestern (2-1). Depending on what Coach Fitzgerald decides to do on Friday, we may have one now that Andrew Brewer has seen major playing time. My 2 cents: Kafka is a threat to throw the ball around the field, which is something that Brewer hasn't shown. Even if Kafka hasn't been great, we have to start the game with that possibility. It will open up the field, like a good spread offense should. But don't be afraid to use Brewer as a decoy or for more options.
Nevada (1-2) hasn't really shown a ton of defense this year, so hopefully we'll have a chance to improve our scoring out in Reno. On the other side of the ball, we may have our hands full with the Wolfpack's "pistol formation" offense. The pistol is shorter than the shotgun. GET IT?! So the QB is set about 2-3 steps back from the LoS and receives a shotgun-style snap. The idea is to give the quarterback more vision than he would have under center, but it retains the ability of the running back to receive the handoff while already in motion toward the line. This seems to work for Nevada, which has a good passing game and an adequate running attack.
More on the players after the jump.
Whooo are they? Who-oo, who-oo:
Let's go Cats!
Nevada (1-2) hasn't really shown a ton of defense this year, so hopefully we'll have a chance to improve our scoring out in Reno. On the other side of the ball, we may have our hands full with the Wolfpack's "pistol formation" offense. The pistol is shorter than the shotgun. GET IT?! So the QB is set about 2-3 steps back from the LoS and receives a shotgun-style snap. The idea is to give the quarterback more vision than he would have under center, but it retains the ability of the running back to receive the handoff while already in motion toward the line. This seems to work for Nevada, which has a good passing game and an adequate running attack.
More on the players after the jump.
Whooo are they? Who-oo, who-oo:
- At QB, #3 Jeff Rowe. He's a senior with a ton of experience, and he's getting better every year.
- At wideout, look for Caleb Spencer (#87) as the fave and Mike McCoy (#89) as the scary big play guy.
- The running is done by #19, Robert Hubbard, along with Rowe.
- Daniel (DL, #96) and Nate (DL, #97) Agaiava, Jason (LB, #33) and Mike (OL. #59) DeMars, & Danny (DL, #92) and Jimmy (OL, #76) Wadhams - I just think brother who play for the same school are cool, is all.
- Brandon Walsh (DL, #71) - Look, I'm not saying I ever watched any particular 90s teen drama. But this guy probably has awesome hair and a hot sister.
- Erics Clark (DE, #48) - A perfect anagram for Eric Clarks! Seriously, do you think his parents were expecting twins, but there was only one of him? Erics?
- Jonathan Amaya (DB, #49) - Possibly our good friend Hodges, sent back from the future to fight crime in Reno?
- A.J. Slater (OL, #64) - Love child of Albert and Jessie? I hope he has AC's smarts and Ms. Spano's wrestling ability.
- Bender, Butler, Fragger, Fuhr, Macrander, Miller, Porter, Sevor, Slater, Spencer, Villasenor, Viser, Walker
Let's go Cats!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
A Sacrilicious Spamwich
Just trying to help the cause of "celebrinerd" in its quest to lexicographic stardom. Why would I want to do that? Not just for the inherent fame and fortune that I'm sure to amass, but also because Ken Jennings said so. Lucky he's not as attractive as Jodie Foster, or...
OK, I'm not going to finish that statement, because it wouldn't be the right kind of funny. I mean, I'd love to have greater blog-readership, but I don't want it to consist of too many government intelligence agents. Hi guys! Go Cats!
Anyway. celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd. Good night.
Adding twinsult to twinjury [ken-jennings.com]
Daysleeper [ken-jennings.com]
OK, I'm not going to finish that statement, because it wouldn't be the right kind of funny. I mean, I'd love to have greater blog-readership, but I don't want it to consist of too many government intelligence agents. Hi guys! Go Cats!
Anyway. celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd celebrinerd. Good night.
Adding twinsult to twinjury [ken-jennings.com]
Daysleeper [ken-jennings.com]
Monday, September 18, 2006
NU 14, Eastern Michigan 6
We've seen better, and we've seen worse from Northwestern than what they showed on Saturday. I suppose the defense had a good game. I mean, they only allowed 47 yards through the air. That's gotta be a record for us over the last 5 seasons. Plus they held the EMUs to less than 100 yards on the ground
And there were some nice offensive moments. Sutton looked good for flashes and both QBs had ups in addition to their downs. It just never felt like a good win, even if its gets us to 2-1 and chance to enter conference play with a healthy .500 or better record.
Friday night at Nevada we'll face another good offense, and our run defense will be tested. If they play like they did against EMU, we'll be 3-1 and this will look like the start of a good stretch. If we fall apart, it will look like we're in for a long year.
More after the jump.
Josh's StatWatch
NU Passing yards/attempt: 4.2 yds/att (better than 6.5 = good)
Record after Game 3:
Josh's prediction: 0 wins (1-2 predicting individual outcomes)
NU Record: 2-1
Yeah, I totally should have subtracted a Basanez Factor and set this at 5.5 for this year. But I'll stick it out and see how it goes.
And
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Execution totally lacking by QBs. Our runners run well. Mostly blocking is good. Gotta get those guys (or one of them anyway) on the ball for a full 60 minutes.
Cats' D: Just like against Miami. Our defense will handle bad offenses this year.
Cats' Special Teams: Pretty good kicking, but not a lot for them to do this week. No returns to speak of, thanks to good EMU kicking.
Let's go Cats!
And there were some nice offensive moments. Sutton looked good for flashes and both QBs had ups in addition to their downs. It just never felt like a good win, even if its gets us to 2-1 and chance to enter conference play with a healthy .500 or better record.
Friday night at Nevada we'll face another good offense, and our run defense will be tested. If they play like they did against EMU, we'll be 3-1 and this will look like the start of a good stretch. If we fall apart, it will look like we're in for a long year.
More after the jump.
Josh's StatWatch
NU Passing yards/attempt: 4.2 yds/att (better than 6.5 = good)
Record after Game 3:
Josh's prediction: 0 wins (1-2 predicting individual outcomes)
NU Record: 2-1
Yeah, I totally should have subtracted a Basanez Factor and set this at 5.5 for this year. But I'll stick it out and see how it goes.
And
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Execution totally lacking by QBs. Our runners run well. Mostly blocking is good. Gotta get those guys (or one of them anyway) on the ball for a full 60 minutes.
Cats' D: Just like against Miami. Our defense will handle bad offenses this year.
Cats' Special Teams: Pretty good kicking, but not a lot for them to do this week. No returns to speak of, thanks to good EMU kicking.
Let's go Cats!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Eastern Michigan Whether Report
Say Josh, tell me whether...
...you've completely gotten over last week's loss.
I wouldn't say "completely," so let's go with "sufficiently."
...you really know anything about at all Eastern Michigan.
The main thing I know is that they should really be called the Emus. Or maybe the Emu. Eagles is way overused when it doesn't apply to the Iggles.
...there are any other good options for their team nickname.
Actually, after writing what I just did, I checked out emueagles.com. They used to be called the Normalites. Please, please, please go back to that name, EMU!
...you're a little starved for ideas today.
Yeah, can you tell?
...you're going to an old standby?
Here it comes! Fight song parody!
Parody and prediction after the jump.
Here's the tune, and here's my words:
Eastern emus, what can you do?
Go back home to ole EMU!
Look to the sky, the emus can't fly!
You'll feel like you could cry.
Cats eat birds dressed in green and white
Should have stayed a Normalite!
Go crawl back to Ypsilanti
Cats win today! (Go Cats!)
...you ever wanna hear that song again.
Oh God no. Twice on Saturday will be more than enough.
...it's pick time!
Sure is. The line is around NU -17.5, O/U 52. I'm being a little more conservative, since the ApostroCats have made the under about 10 times in a row. Let's say NU 24, EMU 13.
...you've completely gotten over last week's loss.
I wouldn't say "completely," so let's go with "sufficiently."
...you really know anything about at all Eastern Michigan.
The main thing I know is that they should really be called the Emus. Or maybe the Emu. Eagles is way overused when it doesn't apply to the Iggles.
...there are any other good options for their team nickname.
Actually, after writing what I just did, I checked out emueagles.com. They used to be called the Normalites. Please, please, please go back to that name, EMU!
...you're a little starved for ideas today.
Yeah, can you tell?
...you're going to an old standby?
Here it comes! Fight song parody!
Parody and prediction after the jump.
Here's the tune, and here's my words:
Eastern emus, what can you do?
Go back home to ole EMU!
Look to the sky, the emus can't fly!
You'll feel like you could cry.
Cats eat birds dressed in green and white
Should have stayed a Normalite!
Go crawl back to Ypsilanti
Cats win today! (Go Cats!)
...you ever wanna hear that song again.
Oh God no. Twice on Saturday will be more than enough.
...it's pick time!
Sure is. The line is around NU -17.5, O/U 52. I'm being a little more conservative, since the ApostroCats have made the under about 10 times in a row. Let's say NU 24, EMU 13.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Eastern Michigan Weather Forecast
It's a "Survivor" weather prediction, for tomorrow at Dyche, full of segregation and eventually you become uncomfortable.
In the first quarter, it will be sunny and warm. Nice for football. Then NUMB will play Stacy's Mom between quarters. As the clock starts to roll on the 2nd, it will instantaneously become cool and overcast. Nice for football. At halftime, the band will play a Stacy's Mom show including: Stacy's Mom, Stacy's Mambo, and Stacy's Mom (reprise).
The 2nd half kickoff will mark the start of the rain. It will rain steadily and harshly for 15 football minutes. Nice for football, iffy for fans. After NUMB plays Hey Baby,..just kidding, they play Stacy's Mom, natural gas and fire will pour forth from the heavens for the entire fourth quarter. Nice for football, gradual painful death for fans. Look forward to seeing you all there!
Cats win!
In the first quarter, it will be sunny and warm. Nice for football. Then NUMB will play Stacy's Mom between quarters. As the clock starts to roll on the 2nd, it will instantaneously become cool and overcast. Nice for football. At halftime, the band will play a Stacy's Mom show including: Stacy's Mom, Stacy's Mambo, and Stacy's Mom (reprise).
The 2nd half kickoff will mark the start of the rain. It will rain steadily and harshly for 15 football minutes. Nice for football, iffy for fans. After NUMB plays Hey Baby,..just kidding, they play Stacy's Mom, natural gas and fire will pour forth from the heavens for the entire fourth quarter. Nice for football, gradual painful death for fans. Look forward to seeing you all there!
Cats win!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Eastern Michigan Preview
After a bad game against New Hampshire, it's time to face off against another team that's closer to Canada than we are. While I'm as disappointed as anyone about the result last weekend, the good face I've chosen to put on it is this: the Cats are all experienced athletes at various (mostly high) levels of competition. They won't dwell on a bad game like I do. So moving on...
What do the ApostroCats (1-1) need to do better against Eastern Michigan (0-2) than they did last week? Just execute. The game plan wasn't so bad, but bad circumstances and bad execution were too much. Pass defense, especially, will need to step up to the same level it had against Miami.
Special teams, especially kick blocking, was still good, so let's see more of that. And when we force a turnover? Give the damn ball to Tyrell and let him make big plays right away!
More on EMU after the jump.
Eagles to watch Saturday:
What do the ApostroCats (1-1) need to do better against Eastern Michigan (0-2) than they did last week? Just execute. The game plan wasn't so bad, but bad circumstances and bad execution were too much. Pass defense, especially, will need to step up to the same level it had against Miami.
Special teams, especially kick blocking, was still good, so let's see more of that. And when we force a turnover? Give the damn ball to Tyrell and let him make big plays right away!
More on EMU after the jump.
Eagles to watch Saturday:
- 2 QBs - Tyler Jones (#8) and Andy Schmitt (#7). Jones is also the team's leading rusher, through two games.
- Eric Deslauriers (WR, #19) has 16 catches in two games. He's from Quebec, so all those french taunts you've been saving for Pierre Thomas? Break'em out.
- On defense - Kevin Howe (DL, #88), Darren Matthews (LB, #42) and Chris May (S, #22) are guys we'll prefer not to see.
- McNabb
- Stalworth
- The giant eagle that pecks off Eli Manning's face
- Courtney Ford (OL, #75) - Finally a girl's name!
- Eric Deslauriers (WR, #19) - It's french for "the layers." Never gets old.
- Lorenzo Seaberry (WR, #31) - This is also my favorite Cap'n Crunch flavor.
- Bleeker, Bonner, Conner, Cranor, Downer, Hunter (hee), Mayner, Minor, Montemayor, Walker - Montemayor? Dirty!
Monday, September 11, 2006
New Hampshire 34, NU 17
Ugh. I don't really want to write about this so much. Losses aren't usually so depressing, but this one totally was. So, I'll just get to the usual business, and move on to next week's EMU (heh, emu) game.
Josh's StatWatch
NU Passing yards/attempt: 5.3 yds/att (better than 6.5 = good)
Record after Game 2:
Josh's prediction: 0 wins (1-1 predicting individual outcomes)
NU Record: 1-1
And
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Decision-making by coaches, play-making by Kafka et. al. We needs them.
Cats' D: UNH were maybe a tough team to prepare for. But no more excuses from now on.
Cats' Special Teams: Not the reason we lost. Some problems (like that fumble) but weather was an issue, so it's forgiven. Howells was fine for the 2nd week.
Let's go Cats!
Josh's StatWatch
NU Passing yards/attempt: 5.3 yds/att (better than 6.5 = good)
Record after Game 2:
Josh's prediction: 0 wins (1-1 predicting individual outcomes)
NU Record: 1-1
And
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Decision-making by coaches, play-making by Kafka et. al. We needs them.
Cats' D: UNH were maybe a tough team to prepare for. But no more excuses from now on.
Cats' Special Teams: Not the reason we lost. Some problems (like that fumble) but weather was an issue, so it's forgiven. Howells was fine for the 2nd week.
Let's go Cats!
Friday, September 08, 2006
New Hampshire Whether Report
Say Josh, tell me whether...
...you're psyched about another home opener in Evanston.
Very totally psyched, yes.
...you're psyched about losing money in poker last weekend.
Not really psyched, I don't think. But I'd never played for $$$ before, so it wasn't a surprise.
...we should be at all worried about playing New Hampshire.
It's kind of hard to know. Yes, they're a good (great?) I-AA program, and maybe they're eyeing a move to I-A. But there's very little analysis of this game, beyond what I just said.
More after the jump.
...there are NU injuries.
Ick. Heinz and Ngene are out again. McManis is out (did he play much last week?) and C.J. Bacher is more legless than before, so don't expect to see him at all.
...there's a line for this game.
Actually, it doesn't look like there is one. I'm gonna have to go native on this pick.
...people actually made football picks before there were spreads.
I guess they must have. It's hard to believe, but it's like how people somehow used to get into cold swimming pools before they invented waterslides.
...you're making a pick.
I don't feel like it's going out on a limb to pick NU here. I'm gonna go with NU 31, UNH 10.
...you're psyched about another home opener in Evanston.
Very totally psyched, yes.
...you're psyched about losing money in poker last weekend.
Not really psyched, I don't think. But I'd never played for $$$ before, so it wasn't a surprise.
...we should be at all worried about playing New Hampshire.
It's kind of hard to know. Yes, they're a good (great?) I-AA program, and maybe they're eyeing a move to I-A. But there's very little analysis of this game, beyond what I just said.
More after the jump.
...there are NU injuries.
Ick. Heinz and Ngene are out again. McManis is out (did he play much last week?) and C.J. Bacher is more legless than before, so don't expect to see him at all.
...there's a line for this game.
Actually, it doesn't look like there is one. I'm gonna have to go native on this pick.
...people actually made football picks before there were spreads.
I guess they must have. It's hard to believe, but it's like how people somehow used to get into cold swimming pools before they invented waterslides.
...you're making a pick.
I don't feel like it's going out on a limb to pick NU here. I'm gonna go with NU 31, UNH 10.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
New Hampshire Weather Forecast
The ApostroCats' first home game in 2006 should be graced by similar weather as the season-opener in Ohio. Except for, you know, there will be sun. But there may be a couple oddities that prognosticators (me) attribute to the out-of-division opponent.
More aardvark activity is expected in Evanston on Saturday. It's also possible that James Caan and Aaron Sorkin will be in town discussing an upcoming TV collaboration: Bazaar.
Cats Win!
p.s. The first person to identify the joke gets ten (10) sprinkles of magical internet dust. Guaranteed not a guarantee to make your connection faster!
More aardvark activity is expected in Evanston on Saturday. It's also possible that James Caan and Aaron Sorkin will be in town discussing an upcoming TV collaboration: Bazaar.
Cats Win!
p.s. The first person to identify the joke gets ten (10) sprinkles of magical internet dust. Guaranteed not a guarantee to make your connection faster!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
New Hampshire Preview
Northwestern (1-0) takes on the University of New Hampshire (0-0) in the Wildcats' 2006 Dyche Stadium debut. Let's all make the joke together: Which Wildcats? Yes, UNH's team nickname is also Wildcats. To prevent confusion, why don't we all agree to call Northwestern the Cats (of ApostroCats, if you like) and UNH the cAAts. Get it? Good.
After a good-but-not-great win at Miami last Thursday, Northwestern will be seeking to the answers to two very basic questions on Satuday against the cAAts:
UNH players to watch, after the jump.
There are two cAAts on offense that matter most to the Cats:
Some names to know. This will mean you don't even need to say "cAAts." You can yell, "Matt, Mike, Jim, & Jim VII!" if you prefer:
After a good-but-not-great win at Miami last Thursday, Northwestern will be seeking to the answers to two very basic questions on Satuday against the cAAts:
- Defense good?
- Offense good?
UNH players to watch, after the jump.
There are two cAAts on offense that matter most to the Cats:
- QB, Ricky Santos (#2) - 7,115 passing yards in two years. Yeah.
- WR, David Ball (#3) - 3,541 receiving yards in three years. Again, yeah.
Some names to know. This will mean you don't even need to say "cAAts." You can yell, "Matt, Mike, Jim, & Jim VII!" if you prefer:
- Glen Waldron (OL, #73) - Not the Glen Waldron I went to school with, however.
- Omar Thomas, Tom Neill, Terell Lewis, Kyle Lewis, Matt Henry - Two first names does not a whole name make.
- Cory Dix (DL, #93) - I don't write 'em, I just...write 'em? Moving along!
- Keith LeVan (WR, #19) - It's french for "the van." The more you know.
- Asker, Couturier, Dozler, Duper, Palmer, Pammer, St. Peter, Taylor, Trotter, Wagner - Hee. Palmer.
Monday, September 04, 2006
NU 21, Miami (OH) 3
Hip hip! Hooray? I confess that I missed the first 20 minutes of the ApostroCats' season opener in Oxford -- damn you, Indiana freeways, with your rain and tire demons! -- but it doesn't look like I missed much. I realize that with all the emotion in the months and hours leading up to the game, a little early letdown may have been inevitable, but let's leave that excuse behind us now.
The freshman QB excuse is a little longer-lasting, I think. But let's pay attention to the 2nd half, and expect more from Mike Kafka. He looked good on the drive for the TD pass to Sutton. More of that please?
But the happiest story was the defense! I loved using lots of 3-4 and mixing up pass-rushing schemes. I've always thought that we should use our depth at LB and get more of them on the field. The pressure and speed we displayed should do well through the non-conference slate, where teams won't be able to prepare for our D. Promising!
More after the jump.
Josh's StatWatch
NU Passing yards/attempt: 6.2 yds/att (better than 6.5 = good)
Record after Game 1:
Josh's prediction: 0 wins (0-1 predicting individual outcomes)
NU Record: 1-0
And
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Jordan & Sutton should be great together. Sutton needs to overcome his new-found marquee status.
Cats' D: 3-4! 4-3! 2-4 nickel! Keep the options open and keep the sacks coming. 5 sacks!
Cats' Special Teams: Well, it could have been worse. Better punt coverage is biggest need. And maybe let's try a FG just to see.
Let's go Cats!
The freshman QB excuse is a little longer-lasting, I think. But let's pay attention to the 2nd half, and expect more from Mike Kafka. He looked good on the drive for the TD pass to Sutton. More of that please?
But the happiest story was the defense! I loved using lots of 3-4 and mixing up pass-rushing schemes. I've always thought that we should use our depth at LB and get more of them on the field. The pressure and speed we displayed should do well through the non-conference slate, where teams won't be able to prepare for our D. Promising!
More after the jump.
Josh's StatWatch
NU Passing yards/attempt: 6.2 yds/att (better than 6.5 = good)
Record after Game 1:
Josh's prediction: 0 wins (0-1 predicting individual outcomes)
NU Record: 1-0
And
In My Opinion:
Cats' O: Jordan & Sutton should be great together. Sutton needs to overcome his new-found marquee status.
Cats' D: 3-4! 4-3! 2-4 nickel! Keep the options open and keep the sacks coming. 5 sacks!
Cats' Special Teams: Well, it could have been worse. Better punt coverage is biggest need. And maybe let's try a FG just to see.
Let's go Cats!
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