Remembering the year after we made our First Dance....Predictions that our team, returning most of its key players, would be top tier Big Ten with a chance even to make the Final Four (ala Clark Kellogg) only to fall flat on its face. This time it seems, no such expectations from media. CBS Sports picks us 7th and I'm guessing that won't be an outlier. I think we are much better when being underrated, but we shall see.

...that Braxton Strong will be a Wildcat.

I just got off the phone with him. He didn't tell me straight out, even off the record, but it's pretty clear that he will eventually commit to Northwestern. He just decommitted from Colorado State. He's going to take some time to "evaluate his options" but is planning to come back to visit NU again soon. "On my next visit, we might see a commitment," he said.

NU is recruiting him as a DE. He heard from them in the spring, but things got quiet after he committed to CSU. DL coach Christian Smith and recruiting communications director Bryan Payton re-established contact with him "a couple weeks ago" and invited him in for a visit. That's when he got the offer, his first from the Power Five and "a dream come true."

As for NU's current situation and the uncertainty around the future, he said this: "Coaches come and go, but the program stays. It's still Big Ten football and outstanding academics. That doesn't change."

Strong has a 11.89 on a very complicated 12.0 scale at Peru (Ind.), so the academics are obviously a big draw.

I'll write a story soon.

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Please be vigilant.

With the situation in the Middle East escalating, there are multiple hate groups targeting Jews in the greater Chicago area.

We’ve seen the consequences first hand.

Go ‘Cats!

Rivals ran a midseason poll of publishers, and they picked Northwestern 12th among Big Ten teams and, most gallingly, three spots behind Minnesota.

I wasn’t aware of this until yesterday but I’ve known Ben Slivka for many years and he’s a really great guy who bleeds purple. This is another shining example of how broken Shill is and it does involve our athletic department as well.

2024 QB Marek Hill was the only player still being recruited by Northwestern that visited for the Howard game. I talked to him about his visit, the possibility of a PWO or outright offer, and his impression of the program.

Had that nice KOR that helped set up a TD drive, then was an ox on the last drive. Had another nice run called back. He looked good.

With an experienced backcourt and assistant coach Chris Lowery coming back, the Wildcats think their defense will be their calling card for the second year in a row.

With an experienced backcourt and assistant coach Chris Lowery coming back, the Wildcats think their defense will be their calling card for the second year in a row.

Christie played well in the Summer League for the Lakers and is expected to get some minutes this year. He was pretty good as a freshman but you would probably rather have a 5th year Audige than a 1st year Christie. Relying on the one and done's is a tough way to win a championship unless you are getting some of the top 10 guys. Most 19 year-old aren't ready to dominate in college. Jaren Jackson, Jr. (another MSU one and done who was pretty good as a freshman) is one of the best players in the NBA now. Youngest defensive player of the year ever. Since we don't stand much of a chance to land any of those types of players, I guess we should be happy that the NBA and the NCAA haven't reached an agreement to require a 2-year commitment.

Here's the first of @mshelton33's stories from Minneapolis.

The game was over after we got the first down. Then we still ran 2-3 plays instead of taking a knee. Why risk a turnover? That was stupid

When it was 23-13 and we got the ball back with around 6 mins to play we were also snapping the ball with 15-20 left on the play clock. Dumb clock management

A win is a win, but for being such a great academic institution the decision making is too often puzzling

Or at least my highlight so far. Walked into the players and press hospitality room right on time to overhear an exasperated Trey Galloway turn to his teammate and say "Bro, they keep showing this!" BTN keeps cutting to Buie's game winning floater and Galloway couldn't take it anymore.

Here's the first of @mshelton33's stories from Minneapolis.

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Last year’s worked for me. The stripes made more sense on the side make more sense than on the shorts.

Here's @mshelton33's profile of Boo Buie. FYI, Matt is in Minneapolis today for Big Ten Men's Basketball Media Day. Coach Collins takes the podium at 10:20 am CT.

2024 QB Marek Hill was the only player still being recruited by Northwestern that visited for the Howard game. I talked to him about his visit, the possibility of a PWO or full offer, and his impression of the program.

Coming in for the Penn State game. What are the must see/do/eat/drink things on or near campus? Are there any iconic sculptures or memorials?

I’m not interested in downtown Chicago. We’re staying north of Evanston and will tour the campus and area on Saturday afternoon.

The bye week is here and @mikefitz77 has three things we learned, two questions we're asking and one bold prediction after the Howard game.

Declining the penalty on the punt proved to be a very smart coaching decision. From the stands it looked incomprehensible that the Minnesota player who downed the ball in the end zone could not know where he was when he caught the ball, but watching it on replay shows that it can be difficult to see where the goal line is on the field a couple of yards inside the line.

The NU coaches didn’t get caught up in the Minnesota coaches’ chicanery as proven by declining the penalty. They knew that punting closer to the endzone would make it more difficult to down the punt. It seems counterintuitive, but it was correct.

From the stands, I got nervous seeing the ball moved back closer to the goal line, but it worked out great. The Cats needed every second on that drive. Those extra 15 - 19 extra yards were crucial.

What a game. It was a beautiful night to watch football outside, and the victory was an incredible reward for those who watched until the end. Congratulations to the players, player’s families, coaches, staff, and administrators. It’s a great pleasure to be a Northwestern football fan. Go Cats.

Undefeated Miami (the one in Florida) leads Georgia Tech by three.

GT is out of timeouts.

Miami has the balll. It is third down

As you know the playclock in CFB is forty seconds.

With LESS THAN FORTY SECONDS LEFT in the game they do NOT take a knee BUT SNAP THE BALL and FUMBLE it.

Georgia Tech gets the ball and throws two long passes not just to get in to field goal range but all the way to the end zone. They win the game.