Did Penn State blow its shot?

A team that was statistically dominant on both offense and defense effectively no-showed on O when it counted last year. Now the Nittany Lions wave goodbye to a generational combination of defensive talent and defensive coaching.

But Penn State made an inspired replacement at DC, has a friendly schedule, still boasts a bevy of talent of both sides of the ball, and has ELITE running backs. Can Drew Allar take the next step?

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

Did Penn State blow its shot?

A team that was statistically dominant on both offense and defense effectively no-showed on O when it counted last year. Now the Nittany Lions wave goodbye to a generational combination of defensive talent and defensive coaching.

But Penn State made an inspired replacement at DC, has a friendly schedule, still boasts a bevy of talent of both sides of the ball, and has ELITE running backs. Can Drew Allar take the next step?

ITunes Link
Youtube Link

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

I find it unfair they are not highlighting Miller Kopp in the OKC roster. But whatevs.

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The first question of our Ten Questions preseason series is: Can the defense be elite?

The Wildcats return experience and depth across their defense, but they'll need to integrate new play callers, on and off the field, quickly before they hit the difficult home stretch of their schedule.

No Cats selected. A little surprised Tanner Mordecai picked over Ben Bryant.

Didn’t realize the cupboard was so bare. It’s really a wonder what Braun was able to do last year with no NFL or XFL talent.

In terms of air temp (not wind/rain) the Oct games may not be that cold due to "higher near the lake" phenomenon. Inland temp might be 40 but the lake will still be in the 50s.

Dense fog would be cool.

Johnny O’Brien of Fremd HS commits to NU. That didn’t take long as he picked up his offer the other day. Looks like he beat Owen Lansu to the punch here.

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Man I love Braun. Didn’t realize he wrote a check to get it across the finish line.

Here’s a quick rundown of our offers that have not made official visits as of yet (12).

Some have no interest in NU, while others may no longer have committable offers based upon our current commitments.

After breaking things down, there aren’t all that many potential visitors left on our board. 🤷‍♂️

Coaches have been on the road this week, so we may see a few late offers extended as we look to finalize our 2025 class.

RB
Isaiah Groves (TN)

WR
Leo Almanza Jr. (TX)
Bodpegn Miller (OH)

TE
Noah LaPorte (IL)

OL
Nolan Davenport (OH)

DL
Xavier Ukponu (TX)
Adam Shovlin (PA)

DB
Sheldon Robinson (VA)
Jayden Sanders (TX)
Donovan Starr (TN)
Micah Rice (OH)

ATH
Bradley Gompers (PA)

Groves and LaPorte would appear to be the two that have the highest likelihood of taking an OV to Evanston.

*******************

The following players have made OVs and NU is awaiting their decisions (12) :

RB
Ryver Peppers (MO)
Javin Gordon (GA)
Kolin Wilson (AL)

WR
Gerritt Kemp (GA)
JonAnthony Hall (IN)

OL
Darrin Strey (MI)
Michael O'Connell (IL)
Brock Heath (KS)
Lucas Allgeyer (MO)

DL
Tommy Rupley (MA)
Chinedu Onyeagoro (CA)
Cameron Herron (IN)
Yvan Kemajou (MS)

DB
Coleman Patmon (TX)

How is recruiting going under Braun versus recruiting under Fitz? Are we recruiting better in certain positions or geographic areas? How is the guy from Texas that we brought in to be director of scouting?

I may be in the minority here, but ESPN reported today that Northwestern officials have now opted in to the new NCAA video game next year. These were my favorite games growing up and I couldn't see myself playing without being the Wildcats. The joy of beating Penn State 62-0 in Happy Valley will be restored!

For the third question in our Ten Questions series, Northwestern's offensive line is under a lot of scrutiny this offseason with a new position coach and as many as four new starters along the line. I broke down the options that Bill O'Boyle has at each position to set his starting five, and gave my take on who should be the frontrunners.

Rutgers is...kind of good now?

Look, this is still a team that lost nearly every game down the stretch in 2024. But the Scarlet Knights had no reasonable chance of victory in most of those. Rutgers went 7-2 in winnable games last year...

...and they have TEN extremely winnable games on the slate THIS year, thanks to the easiest schedule in the Nation.

Rutgers has great linebackers, a great running back, other solid pieces, and a schedule piled high with creamy frosting. The Knights could make major noise this year.

ITunes Link
Youtube Link

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

Rutgers is...kind of good now?

Look, this is still a team that lost nearly every game down the stretch in 2024. But the Scarlet Knights had no reasonable chance of victory in most of those. Rutgers went 7-2 in winnable games last year...

...and they have TEN extremely winnable games on the slate THIS year, thanks to the easiest schedule in the Nation.

Rutgers has great linebackers, a great running back, other solid pieces, and a schedule piled high with creamy frosting. The Knights could make major noise this year.

ITunes Link
Youtube Link

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

Arrive early. Stay late. Should be fun.

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Everyone on these boards has been very familiar with Michigan State being a good or at least solid football team for a long time.

Those days are rapidly disappearing into the rear-view mirror.

A dearth of talent, a head-scratching DC hire, and an influx of new teams into the conference spell major trouble for the Spartans, who do nothing well on either side of the ball and have an unclear path forward. This may be the Big Ten's worst team.

ITunes Link
Youtube Link

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

Everyone on these boards has been very familiar with Michigan State being a good or at least solid football team for a long time.

Those days are rapidly disappearing into the rear-view mirror.

A dearth of talent, a head-scratching DC hire, and an influx of new teams into the conference spell major trouble for the Spartans, who do nothing well on either side of the ball and have an unclear path forward. This may be the Big Ten's worst team.

ITunes Link
Youtube Link

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

For the fourth question in our Ten Questions series, can the Wildcats replicate the stingy defense of their home turf from 2023 at temporary sites in 2024?

The second of ten questions we're asking that will determine Northwestern's season.

Excited to try it, yes they are open Saturdays.

I talked to Jeffersonville (Ind.) forward Tre Singleton about his offer from Northwestern, a school he thinks could be a perfect match for him.

Some of the Ryan Field engineers gave a site tour last Thursday, showing off the work on the new stadium's foundations. Here is a brief view of the current site.

I have been asked to remove this post, and I am complying with that request. I will try to regain permission to post this material.

Thanks.

Fortuna reports Bajakian filed a suit

The second of ten questions we're asking that will determine Northwestern's season.