The Phillies made it all the way to the WS, but couldn't close the deal against the cheaters.

But still, quite an accomplishment after starting the season so poorly under Joe.

I like Joe, but one can't help but wonder if his coaching style is no longer suited for today's game.

One can't also help but wonder if the same thing applies to Fitz, another old-school Chicago guy.

One sports radio host had a daughter who had worked w/ Joe when he was working for MLB, who had nothing but the nicest things to say about Joe as a person, but that doesn't get you results in the field.

Sometimes a coach's way of doing things is outdated, is at a place too long (things get stale) and is too stubborn to change or admit that he had made a mistake.

Another example is Tomlin in Pittsburgh.

Matt Canada was simply the wrong hire for OC (in a string of bad hires).

Instead of rectifying that mistake early, Tomlin doubled down on his mistake by allowing Canada to bring in his own guys after numerous assistants departed (not a good sign when assistants don't see it in their best interest to work w/ an OC).

If you want to see the NFL equivalent of the NU O (staid, unimaginative, predictable - and w/ a bad O-line to boot) - watch Steelers football.

Happened to be looking through Big Ten schedules and was taken aback by Michigan State's absolutely insane start to the season this year, against ours.

MSU starts with one game against patsy Northern Arizona, but follows that up over the next 4 weeks with Gonzaga on an aircraft carrier, Kentucky in Indy, Villanova at home, Alabama, Uconn/Oregon and one of UNC/Portland/Iowa St/Villanova at their tourney in Portland, at Notre Dame in B1G/ACC challenge. Average Kenpom rating - 48-54 depending on opponents.

In that same 4 week span, we will have faced Chicago State, Northern Illinois, at Georgetown, Fort Wayne, Liberty and Auburn/Bradley in Mexico, and Pitt. Average Kenpom rating - 154-170 depending on tourney opponent.

After that 7 game death march for MSU, they face...us. So either they will be demoralized from taking a bunch of high-profile L's, or they will just wipe the floor with us after that stretch.

Which team is likely to be more prepared for the first conference game?

Passing and kicking will be an adventure today. And remember...Ohio State's No. 1 RB (TreVeyon Henderson) is out, and their No. 2 (Miyan Williams) is available but coming off of an injury.

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Duke is currently 2-0. Here’s their remaining schedule - they avoid Clemson and could start 6-0.

• NC A&T
• @ Kansas
• Virginia
• @Georgia Tech
• UNC
• @ #13 Miami FL
• @ Boston College
• Virginia Tech
• @ #23 Pittsburgh
• #19 Wake Forest
  
  If they can’t find 3-5 more wins with this schedule… egads.

If you look at Hilinski's first 2 games, he lit up the stat sheet and looked good. The next two, he was erratic but still showed flashes. PSU was horrible, but in bad weather. The wheels came off v Wisconsin and he came out and stayed out (possibly due to injury).

Anyway, to me, it wasn't crystal clear to take him out until they did.

New OC/DC. Obviously the DC part is a no brainer. Mike Bajakian while he isn’t nearly as bad by comparison, is frustrating in his own right. Between the ultra conservative play calling and untimely stupid trick plays his time at NU should come to an end too. Brendan Sullivan is QB1 from week 1 and with his athleticism, improvisation and with some starts under his belt he should play adequate. We should lean heavily into the run game with Porter and Hull hopefully both returning and again with an athletic Sullivan. I think the offensive scheme can be largely the same due to our personnel and their strengths but still would like to see Bajakian go. Most of all I want this team to have an identity and be competent again. I think that definitely possible with some much needed change in the coaching staff.

oh and maybe fire some position coaches as well.

The memories...

I'll continue to be the optimistic person I've always been. Go 'Cats.

Thanks to @GoUPurple for this history lesson on Twitter about Northwestern football on TV:


The last time NU was on a network before 1992 was way back on Oct. 1, 1988 when ABC regional broadcast (of all things) Indiana at NU.

Between 10/1/1988 and 1992, NU football was shown only a handful of times on cable. The old SportsChannel showed a few games, and NU made it to ESPN only twice during this stretch (Rutgers @ NU, 1989; NIU @ NU, 1990). No Big Ten games?!

From 1988 to 1992 there were two NU games (1988 Wisconsin; 1989 Air Force) that had no coverage whatsoever! No TV, no TV tape delay, no radio of any kind.
• • •

Cats are 0-5 at home and 0-3 on the road and sitting in DFL (dead last) in the Big Ten. Haven't won a game in the United States in over a year! A blind bat can see the team is poorly coached and not making the most of the talent they have.

If there aren't wholesale changes in the staff and throughout the entire program after the season this program is headed headed down for years and years to come. Other than the academics, why would a top recruit want to enter this program and win a game or two a year. There are plenty of schools that offer good academics and also field competitive teams, and frankly most are a lot more fun than Northwestern. Another year like this and NU may be looking for a new conference and not by their choice. #ivyleague

Nm

.

Cats 200+ yards rushing were most OSU had allowed this year, and YPC was 3rd best on a field where defense knew NU would run almost every play. A couple of thoughts:
1) The wet conditions put defense a little on roller skates and slowed down pursuit
2) Hull’s running style took advantage of slow pursuit. His dancing is a killer on wet turf.
3) Sullivan has real potential to be a good RPO QB
4) Porter is a real talent. Full bounce back has taken a while, but he is a horse.
5) Banged up O Line is better on runs than pass protection, and defenses are overmatched by Skoronski.

Here's the latest from Rivals' Travis Graff:

Carr told Rivals that he plans on making a decision “either Monday or Tuesday”. After talking to some sources, Northwestern and Tennessee are sticking out late here, with Northwestern having recent momentum. His family is very familiar with the Wildcats’ coaching staff.

This game can’t be an excuse to make no changes.

Solid!

I am reading posts from the armchair coaches and you are all full of it. I have been to games for 26 years. This was the worst game conditions I have seen. During the game, they warned that the stadium may be cleared because of weather. The wind picked up as the game went on. Stroud throws a beautiful ball. With the wind, his ball was going all over the place. It was not only directional, but the wind swirled all over the place. A passing game was out. Both teams kept their defense close to the line of scrimmage. I could dispute some of the calls, but unless you were at the game, any of your opinions are full of crap.

The weather is blowing big time which will make it difficult to throw the football. I'm sure the grass is ankle high to slow down OSU. I can't believe it, but I like the Cats plus the points (+38.5)

Do it asap till 2035! Go Cats!

PFF just posted a 2023 Mock Draft and had Tomi A going 29th Overall to the Chiefs. (See Here)

I thought intent was not in the equation when there is clear helmet to helmet contact. Perhaps this will be reviewed by the officials this week? Too bad it didn't get called at the time as the penalty yards could have made a significant difference in keeping the drive alive.

Just a few midweek thoughts....

1. I have to think that last Saturday was the final nail in JON's coffin. That's not based on anything from sources. That's just my gut feeling. To watch Iowa -- the worst offense in FBS -- go up and down the field against the Cats was stunning. Iowa didn't hit any plays of 25 or more yards, and they didn't get any short fields on turnovers. They just methodically shredded NU's defense. Something is seriously wrong. I now believe JON will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.

2. One name to watch if JON gets sacked is Iowa's Seth Wallace. He is currently the assistant DC/LB coach. DC Phil Parker's scheme is very similar to Hank's -- Cover 8 is basically Cover 4 with inverted safeties. They play excellent, sound, fundamental defense, with about the same talent as NU has. Wallace is 42 years old and is known as a very good recruiter. The only question is whether he'd leave. He grew up in Iowa, played at Coe College, was a grad assistant at Iowa and has now been on Ferentz's staff for eight years. But Parker has been at Iowa as long as Ferentz has. If Wallace wants to be a DC, he may have to leave.

3. If JON gets fired, the question then is whether Fitz will retain Bajakian. I don't think Bajakian has done much to distinguish himself at OC in three years. But would Fitz fire both his OC and DC in the same year? Hiring two coordinators would be a daunting task -- although Fitz did it before when he brought on Hank and McCall together back in 2008 (Hank because Colby was fired, McCall because McGee left). If the Cats end up 1-11, with a two-year record of 4-20, Fitz might be willing to blow it all up and start over. But even if Jake stays, I think there will be some position coach changes regardless.

Trevor Chumbly and Max Mayfield are tough! Our 74 and 97 looked great too, Fisher and Davison. 84 was strong also!