With 10 days to go until the 2008 incarnation of the Wildcats kicks off against Syracuse, it's time to look at things from a broad perspective. As the games approach each weekend, I'll try to consider them individually, but for now I want to bask in my general optimism.
If you want an in depth season outlook, you should definitely check out this place, and also this place. And I'll do some of that stuff too, as the games come and go. But not today! Today, I just want to talk about how fans should approach this fall.
Patience
Most Northwestern fans are well-schooled (groan) in patience. We're used to wait-til-next year platitudes -- after all, some of you are also Cubs fans -- and we tend to expect long-term program development rather than flash-in-the-pan success. However, the big story coming into the 2008 season is the slew of veterans, particularly at offensive skill positions. My advice is to be patient if we don't put up 35 points/game right away. Remember that the offensive line is inexperienced, and will take time to gel.
Expectations
BUT! Just because we're patient doesn't mean we shouldn't expect to win. We should be able to win a majority of the non-conference games that start the season. They might not be blowout victories (Miami in 2006 or Northwesteastern last year) but we should prevail more often than not. We have better coaches across the board than we have in recent years, and it should show in the form of results as they compliment and improve the Wildcat athletes.
The Future
There are two things for which it is never too early: clock management & thinking about the future. The former is mostly in the hands of Fitz, so I will just worry about the latter. It's important for every moment of every NU home game to be spirited moment. Why? Because there are recruits at every game, and whether we're thrashing someone in September or ruing the end of a rough loss, those high school juniors and seniors need to see a great place to play. So combine those top two things, patience and expectations, to give every play of 2008 energy and vitality. We expect no less from the team, after all.
But enough of this profundity. Check back in next week for picks, weather, and hopefully some funny!
If you want an in depth season outlook, you should definitely check out this place, and also this place. And I'll do some of that stuff too, as the games come and go. But not today! Today, I just want to talk about how fans should approach this fall.
Patience
Most Northwestern fans are well-schooled (groan) in patience. We're used to wait-til-next year platitudes -- after all, some of you are also Cubs fans -- and we tend to expect long-term program development rather than flash-in-the-pan success. However, the big story coming into the 2008 season is the slew of veterans, particularly at offensive skill positions. My advice is to be patient if we don't put up 35 points/game right away. Remember that the offensive line is inexperienced, and will take time to gel.
Expectations
BUT! Just because we're patient doesn't mean we shouldn't expect to win. We should be able to win a majority of the non-conference games that start the season. They might not be blowout victories (Miami in 2006 or North
The Future
There are two things for which it is never too early: clock management & thinking about the future. The former is mostly in the hands of Fitz, so I will just worry about the latter. It's important for every moment of every NU home game to be spirited moment. Why? Because there are recruits at every game, and whether we're thrashing someone in September or ruing the end of a rough loss, those high school juniors and seniors need to see a great place to play. So combine those top two things, patience and expectations, to give every play of 2008 energy and vitality. We expect no less from the team, after all.
But enough of this profundity. Check back in next week for picks, weather, and hopefully some funny!
No comments:
Post a Comment