Anyone have any information or thoughts as to why he is not playing even in games against inferior competition

The bowl game is two weeks away! Here's what you need to know about Utah as the Las Vegas Bowl looms.

I just spoke with Tito Williams, a safety commit, expect a full story tomorrow or Thursday. Again, like Grove, coaching communication was one of my first questions.

Williams said his primary recruiter has been Matt MacPherson, widely thought to be one of the coaches who will not be on next season's staff. Williams said that Braun has not tipped his cards or mentioned the prospect that MacPherson might be replaced soon.

"I know for a fact he's going to hire a [defensive] coordinator," Williams said. "This year he's been head coaching and calling the defense. But that's all he's informed me of...he has not mentioned a change in [position coaches] at all."

I don't have anything sourced on or off the record, but like I said above I have thought that MacPherson would be in his last year at NU since this summer. I could be proven wrong with time about MacPherson's future, but I think Williams' comments, combined with Grove's, mean that Braun has not been giving commits or a recruits insight about which positions will change beyond his public comments.

I have a potential call with Ryan Boe, the silently committed 2024 QB, later this week. Given that his position coach is the most maligned, we'll see if that situation plus quarterback being the most prestigious position earned him some insight that others did not get or have not disclosed.

I also wouldn't take Williams' comments to mean there will or won't be an outside hire for DC as linebackers coach Tim McGarigle will have his name firmly in the running for that position.

For those making it to Las Vegas for the bowl game, close to the stadium is the Luxor Hotel. In its lobby is a Titanic exhibit worth the time to visit. Here are a few photos I took from earlier this year:

Northwestern (6-1, 1-0 Big Ten) hosts Detroit Mercy (0-9) today at Welsh-Ryan Arena at 1 p.m. The game will air on BTN+

I'll be live tweeting at @M_Shelton33 on X/Twitter, and I'll be more active in here than a normally televised game as well.

Three-star 2025 QB Ethan Plumb of St. Charles North says NU coaches were at his school recently. Here's Edgy's story:

2024 OFFERS LIST

2024 COMMITMENTS (17)

QB (1)
Ryan Boe (IL) - COMMITTED ✅

RB (1)
Deshun Reeder (SC) - COMMITTED ✅

WR (2)
Carson Grove (IL) - COMMITTED ✅
Hayden Eligon (CA) - COMMITTED ✅

TE (1)
Patrick Schaller (IL) - COMMITTED ✅

OL (2)
Idrys Cotton (MI) - COMMITTED ✅
Ezomo Oratokhai (TX) - COMMITTED ✅
Dennis Rahouski (MN) - COMMITTED ✅

DL (4)
Callen Campbell (MI) - COMMITTED ✅
Troy Regovich (OH) - COMMITTED ✅
Braxton Strong (IN) - COMMITTED ✅
Qayvier Johnson (CT) - COMMITTED ✅

LB (1)
Matthew Smith (NC) - COMMITTED ✅

DB (3)
Terrion Hicks (KY) - COMMITTED ✅
Tito Williams (TN) - COMMITTED ✅
Timi Oke (UK) - COMMITTED ✅

S (1)
Sean Martin (OH) - COMMITTED ✅

Carson Grove took his fourth visit to Northwestern this year last weekend. Grove talked to me about his big bet on the Wildcats as the first player to commit after this summer's scandal, watching the Wildcats turn it around this season and his future at Northwestern.

Carson Grove took his fourth visit to Northwestern this year last weekend. Grove talked to me about his big bet on the Wildcats as the first player to commit after this summer's scandal, watching the Wildcats turn it around this season and his future at Northwestern.

Here are @mshelton33's takeaways after the Cats destroyed winless Detroit Mercy.

Is anybody nostalgic for the 2003-era unis with the funky numbers? I think it would be cool to wear 20th anniversary throwback uniforms to honor the Baz teams.

Now the Braun is officially head coach, we will need a new defensive coordinator. Anyone have any people they like?

I'll probably stay at one of the Hilton properties so I can get my Honors Points. We could do a Purple Party at any of the Vegas Strip restaurants by just agreeing to show up at around noon like we did for the Cal game several years ago. Anybody have any thoughts?

I just wrapped up a call with Carson Grove after his visit last weekend (his fourth since July, including his original visit when he was offered, Minnesota and then Purdue! Giving Eddie Tuerk a run for his money over time). There will be a full story for tomorrow morning.

But my main curiosity from the call was how Braun was handling communication to commits about coaches. NSD is Dec. 20, LV is Dec. 23, and we anticipate there will be a significant shake up but Braun has said he's sticking with this staff through that bowl game. Here's what Grove had to say:

"He hasn't made it clear about anything like that," he said when I asked if Braun had disclosed to commits which specific position groups could see a change of leadership. "He said there definitely could be changes but I'm pretty certain that Coach Binns is going to stay around, so that's probably one of the biggest things for me which is really good."

That's the headliner, couple more initial details/takeaways:

-Jack Lausch continues to be a great recruiter as a player rep. Grove said Lausch and Ricky Ahumaraeze were his hosts and Northwestern "feels a little bit more like home each time".

-Grove gets some kudos from Braun and staff for his leap of faith. "I know I was the first one who took a chance on him and I'm very glad I did." Grove committed on July 31

No, he didn’t give us Lear Jets.

He gave us All in the Family.

So shut up, Meathead.

He's moaning in the post game after losing to Nebraska. He just threw his two bigs under the bus. He has a far different way of dealing with the press than the typical NU coach. I like the inside info but I think he overbakes the negativity with his players.

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@lou v talked with Sean Martin about his decision to commit to Northwestern and become the 13th member of their Class of 2024.

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@lou v talked with Sean Martin about his decision to commit to Northwestern and become the 13th member of their Class of 2024.

All times CENTRAL. All games nationally televised unless otherwise indicated. I will add announcers as they are assigned, except for BTN+ games.

First, the NU games:

Chicago State @ Northwestern
Wednesday, December 13
7:00 PM, BTN
PxP: Jason Ross Jr.
Color: Trent Meacham

Northwestern @ DePaul
Saturday, December 16
4:30 PM, FS1
PxP: Jeff Levering
Color: LaVall Jordan

And the rest:

Tuesday, December 12

Alcorn State @ Maryland
6:00 PM, BTN
PxP: Jason Horowitz
Color: Christy Winters-Scott

IUPUI @ Minnesota
7:00 PM, BTN+ (streaming only)

Thursday, December 14

Jacksonville State @ Wisconsin
6:00 PM, BTN
PxP: Mike Hall
Color: Brian Butch

Saturday, December 16

Penn State vs. Georgia Tech @ New York, NY (Holiday Festival)
11:00 AM, BTN
PxP: Jason Horowitz
Color: Stephen Bardo

Kansas @ Indiana
11:30 AM, CBS
PxP: Rich Waltz
Color: Jim Spanarkel

LIU @ Rutgers
12:00 PM, BTN+ (streaming only)

Michigan State vs. Baylor @ Detroit, MI (Motor City Invitational)
1:00 PM, FOX
PxP: Gus Johnson
Color: Jim Jackson

Eastern Michigan @ Michigan
1:15 PM, BTN
PxP: Wayne Randazzo
Color: Stephen Bardo

Ohio State vs. UCLA @ Atlanta, GA (CBS Sports Classic)
2:00 PM, CBS
PxP: Brad Nessler
Color: Bill Raftery

Iowa vs. Florida A&M @ Des Moines, IA (Hawkeye Showcase)
3:30 PM, BTN
PxP: Jake Eisenberg
Color: Jess Settles

Purdue vs. Arizona @ Indianapolis, IN (Indy Classic)
3:30 PM, Peacock (streaming only)
PxP: Noah Eagle
Color: Robbie Hummel

Sunday, December 17

Colgate @ Illinois
12:00 PM, BTN
PxP: Connor Onion
Color: Trent Meacham

Nebraska @ Kansas State
2:00 PM, ESPN+ (streaming only)
PxP: Ben Boyle
Color: Stan Weber

Anyone know when the game time will be announced? I have tickets to the game and would like to plan getting lunch or dinner in Evanston before the game.

Today is the fifth anniversary of the passing of Bob Cox, one of the original denizens of this ancient message board.

Bob would have been thrilled with the roller coaster this season has turned out to be.

Go 'Cats!

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