Looking for a metaphor to use to compare the 2021-2022 Minnesota Gophers with the 2023 Gophs?

Well, it might be like comparing the 1st Half of their 2023 game against NU with the 2nd Half

Minnesota's T.O.P. fell off a little, and the Gophs defense fell off a LOT. They still have Darius Taylor running the ball, and that's a big deal...but this schedule just doesn't look great for PJ Fleck and the Flecktones. If they're planning on bowling, they're gonna need to figure some stuff out.

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

Looking for a metaphor to use to compare the 2021-2022 Minnesota Gophers with the 2023 Gophs?

Well, it might be like comparing the 1st Half of their 2023 game against NU with the 2nd Half

Minnesota's T.O.P. fell off a little, and the Gophs defense fell off a LOT. They still have Darius Taylor running the ball, and that's a big deal...but this schedule just doesn't look great for PJ Fleck and the Flecktones. If they're planning on bowling, they're gonna need to figure some stuff out.

ITunes Link
Youtube Link

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

Talks up his halftime speech in MN game.

As reminder, S-Ts if free but you do have to register.

With little more than a month remaining to the season opener, Northwestern's players and coaches are excited for the temporary stadium where they'll play a majority of their home games. I talked to NU's trio of player reps and head coach David Braun about the project at Big Ten Media Days.

With little more than a month remaining to the season opener, Northwestern's players and coaches are excited for the temporary stadium where they'll play a majority of their home games. I talked to NU's trio of player reps and head coach David Braun about the project at Big Ten Media Days.

While watching the opening ceremony for the Paris Summer Olympics there was quick mention of wrestler Sebastian Rivera competing for Puerto Rico and his connection to NU. I found this article about coaches and athletes with NU connections competing in the Paris Summef Olympics. Should be fun watching this year.

It's Jim O'Donnell, so take it with a grain of salt, but he claims he has sources saying that if Cubs don't make the playoffs they'll move the Wisconsin game to Wrigley. It would certainly complicate all that they've done with season ticket sales thus far (or maybe give them a second chance to re-do their bungling of the pricing, but create a whole lot of new work in the process).

Here are the results of media voting for Cleveland.com’s preseason poll.

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Sure looks like a lot more empty seats than 90%. The entire south end zone looks open.

Not surprisingly, the Cats near the bottom for most position groups and not surprising that the Cats are dead last at O-line.

With better play-calling and decent play from the QB position, think the Cats will surprise (absolutely need to stay healthy as there is no depth).

We speculate a lot about what NU does and doesn't do with regard to NIL offers. Seems like the general consensus is NU doesn't offer NIL dollars to freshman recruits but prefers to sell the idea that NU is a developmental program offering B1G football and a world class degree. Later, it seems that NU may use NIL money to retain and recruit experienced players who have demonstrated a certain level of production or potential.

My question then is this. If some highly regarded high school student being recruited by NU tells the coaches that he would love to come to NU but can't pass up the $25,000/yr NIL offer from Illinois or somewhere, NU would never match the offer on principle or some reason?

O’Donnell reporting that the Wisconsin game could be moved to Wrigley as soon as the Cubs officially throw in the towel.

Hi Cappy - the site is blocked (again) to users in Hong Kong. Only accessing now because I am using my US mobile tether. This happens once every 6 months.
Even though I am overseas I'm not a hacker - I promise. Can you please explain to them that there are other places in the world? Thanks.

Ben Bryant signing with the Jets. Don’t have details yet on contract length or compensation but it seems that he’s going to get his shot.

More from Big Ten Media Days: Northwestern has one of the youngest coaching staffs in college football, its head coach and lead coordinators are just 36 years old on average.

Braun and the players talked about the new coordinators and the youth movement on the staff.

More from Big Ten Media Days: Northwestern has one of the youngest coaching staffs in college football, its head coach and lead coordinators are just 36 years old on average.

Braun and the players talked about the new coordinators and the youth movement on the staff.

Very different picture than last year where Braun was on an island with football lead SID Zach Wingrove, who was also making a debut in his own right after Paul Kennedy’s exit to take the Big Ten VP for Comms job.

Braun has been flanked by Wingrove, Alex Knisely, the director of football operations, and notably Pat Goss, the Interim Senior Deputy Director of Athletics. Basketball SID Jacob Pavilack is also with the group to support the players, but that’s not unusual for him to have missed last year.

Gragg was floating around in the morning but hasn’t been consistently connected with the Northwestern party.

Braun's opening statement and televised questions.

Braun's opening statement and televised questions.

Will be interesting to see what he decides.

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Here's @mshelton33's first story from Indy...

Here's @mshelton33's first story from Indy...

Matt's beard is back.

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"I thought I was dead. Turns out I was just Previewing Nebraska."




This isn't fun. Nebraska might be good again.

We at WLP take pride in how well we have pegged Nebraska over the past decade in the face of national opinion. Well...if we're right THIS YEAR, we'll take zero pleasure in it.

We see a team with a great defense (especially against the run), an exciting freshman QB, excellent coaching, and an extremely favorable schedule.

Brace yourselves. We might be hearing a lot about the Huskers this year

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