Giving big Alex his own thread. Smart kid out of Aurora. Would be a great fit for NU.

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Northwestern football released their 2025 slate yesterday, here’s the breakdown for the Wildcats have in store next season.

So damn good.

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Northwestern football released their 2025 slate yesterday, here’s the breakdown for the Wildcats have in store next season.

Hey Gang,

We had a chance this week to talk with Northwestern Athletic Director Mark Jackson about his first 3 months on the job at NU, what the next year is going to look like in the NIL space, what he's learned from Pete Carroll/Bill Belichick/Kelly Amonte-Hiller, and many other topics!

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Thanks as always,
Sam, John, and Scuzz/The West Lot Pirates

I'm not sure if this is allowed, but it probably is.
If not, my apologies...
A chance to go on the record before the game tips off.

Rutgers is favored by 2.5, hosting Penn State. Over is 157.5.

Penn State 88 Rutgers 77

@lou v contacted Tulsa transfer OT Jack Tanner about his offer from Northwestern and his recruiting outlook.

Chargers Blind side LT Slater was featured for his pass blocking during the game with the Chiefs tonight but so far the Chargers offense has done little to move the ball.

The article struck me relative to its insight into why players are leaving vs the total blackout concerning NU's players. While I recognize this article resulted from a reporter's active research, IMO it also reflects a program culture that doesn't shy away from interaction with the press. Compare this to NU where in both the Fitzgerald and Braun era there is almost no conversation with the press (I feel for the Rival's staff.) and even our best inside commenters here typically don't know or refuse to provide insight for some reason they won't offer.

For Collins being such a smart offensive minded coach, I am shocked about how stagnant and simple our offensive sets are drawn up. On-ball pick without reliable rolls to the basket or repositioning of the original picker. No off-ball picks or high staggered picks to free up 3 point shooters. It’s just a lot of one on one with Martinielli or Barnheizer or a mid range jump shot from Leach without any true sets. I was surprised to see the entire end of the game and even overtime proceed like it was an organized pick up game or one the Purple league games at old Patten gym. I think that’s the reason we get into som many shooting slumps and have a hard time getting Berry going for simple looks. Collins has a great offensive mind, I wonder why he’s keeping it so simple.

Realizing that this is Lujan's first FBS job, and Tim Mc isn't exactly a grizzled veteran, what do we guess they are making right now?

Here's why I ask: I just happened to catch a recent article that noted the highest-paid coordinators in CFB right now (the Chip Kellys and Wink Martindales) are in the $1.5-2.5M range.

On one hand, I think Braun has exactly the coordinators he wants right now - I don't think he has settled for Lujan and McGarigle because of budget (but what do I know?)

I'm not suggesting we spend $5M on two coordinators, especially since we know money doesn't buy guaranteed success. But whatever our two guys are making right now...how much more experience could we get on our staff with an extra $1M to spend on them? Would that have bought us two more wins this season? Does that investment pay for itself?

@lou v interviewed VMI transfer tackle Tyriq Poindexter about entering the transfer portal and his offer from the Wildcats.

Nfm

Baseball fans may find this interesting and NU football fans may be able to make a correlation. It is an article from Viva La Redbirds that asks what is the best way to develop a winning baseball team. Do not know if it applies to our situation at NU football. But for baseball it seems trade and acquire it the best way to go and money does not always talk. https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2024/12/7/24289381/is-draft-and-develop-a-complete-strategy

Here are @mshelton33's takeaways from the embarrassment in Evanston.

Obviously private universities not reported here, but good info. Breakdowns by conference, individual programs, and YoY estimations.

What stands out is the nearly $700mm in NIL money throughout college football right now. This is 2005 Major League Baseball spending.

Wow. Just wow. 😳

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😮‍💨

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He released a statement about declaring for the draft

@lou v talked to incoming Class of 2025 Marcus Romain on committing early, enrolling early, battling back from injury, and more.

Jack Utz of Platte County HS in Kansas City, MO picks up a Wildcat offer tonight. Apparently Creighton had a chance to eyeball him on campus; Braun then made the offer.

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He was in the news last week for scuffling with a Steelers WR.

I looked up his stats: he only has 2 interceptions in his 4+ year career!

Is he a bust?