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I don’t care how cynical you are - a 2 hour marathon is incredible to behold.

Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t - you’re right!

I had the chance to talk to Tito Williams about his visit to Northwestern, check out this article to read about his decision to commit and his relationship with interim head coach David Braun.

All times CENTRAL, and all games played on Saturday, October 14. Rankings come from the AP poll. All games available nationally unless otherwise indicated. I will add announcers as they are assigned.

Northwestern is off this week.

And the rest:

Indiana @ #2 Michigan
11:00 AM, FOX
PxP: Gus Johnson
Color: Joel Klatt

Michigan State @ Rutgers
11:00 AM, BTN
PxP: Cory Provus
Color: Matt Millen

#3 Ohio State @ Purdue
11:00 AM, Peacock (streaming only)
PxP: Andrew Siciliano
Color: Kyle Rudolph

Illinois @ Maryland
2:30 PM, NBC
PxP: Noah Eagle
Color: Todd Blackledge

Massachusetts @ #6 Penn State
2:30 PM, BTN
PxP: Mark Followill
Color: Jake Butt

Iowa @ Wisconsin
3:00 PM, FOX
PxP: Jason Benetti
Color: Brock Huard

Minnesota and Nebraska are off this week.

Inside Lacrosse's Preseason Poll has NU #1. Hailey Rhatigan is gone but NU picked up Lindsay Frank from Richmond, a 90 point scorer and Mary Schumar from Marquette, an 89 point scorer.
Scane and Coykendall return as does goalie Laliberty, midfielder Madison Taylor
BC reportedly won the portal lottery but NU should be very good again

So does this mean Polisky did follow protocol? Daily Article

Ty Berry didn't have the shooting season he wanted to last season, but he made himself indispensable with his defense and rebounding. Now, heading into this year, Collins and Berry expect his shooting to come back and for him to continue to improve across the board. I talked to Berry at Big Ten Media Days about his goals to become a more complete player and his expectations for himself this season.

Cats are healing up
We recover from last week
This is a Good Bye

I have such fond memories and experiences. I will be sad to see it go. I bought a single ticket for the Purdue game. Mrs and daughter Phat are fair weather fans and won't brave the elements. I'll be there to cheer on the Cats, to sing the Alma Mater, and have one last game at our beautiful old place. And I will weep.

Two of the key players to replace Chase Audige are Brooks Barnhizer and transfer Ryan Langborg. I talked to Langborg at Chicagoland Media Day and then Barnhizer at Big Ten Media Day about how they've learned to play with each other, how they plan to fill the hole left by Audige and how they became roommates on such short notice.

What a game!

@lou v breaks down interim head coach David Braun's start to the season, and why Northwestern should still wait to see more before they make him the long-term head coach.

Wow! That’s all I can say. It’s amazing somebody hired him to lead an organization. His explanation of why Howard had to go for a touchdown down 23-7 was confusing even for him. And wrong. And he didn’t understand why the intentional grounding made any difference. How did he get through the interview for the Lions job? He’s the poster child for the old boys’ network.

After managing to hold off the rampant Bison in the 2nd Half, the Cats take a trip to Bye this week.

Always unpredictable, the Cats may see Bye as a chance to rest up, but they need to avoid injuries this week before heading back into B1G play against the one team they beat last season: the Bugeaters of Lincoln.

Willie: 2
Felicia: 0

Nfm

Not a great game, but he had an excellent TD run, a TD pass to Kirtz, and a beautiful scramble TD pass Johnson. The offensive game plan and play calling was horrendous and that lies at the feet of Coach Jake. Sully needs boots, waggles, and a moving sprint pocket. There were no QB counters, powers, and no wraps (all things he showed success in last year). The job of a coach is to take your players and build around them to exploit their strengths. Saturday was a total failure in that regard. OC must do much better. With Ben and AJ returning, a bye week to get healthy, and better execution we could win 2 or 3 more games. Go 'Cats.

Remembering the year after we made our First Dance....Predictions that our team, returning most of its key players, would be top tier Big Ten with a chance even to make the Final Four (ala Clark Kellogg) only to fall flat on its face. This time it seems, no such expectations from media. CBS Sports picks us 7th and I'm guessing that won't be an outlier. I think we are much better when being underrated, but we shall see.

...that Braxton Strong will be a Wildcat.

I just got off the phone with him. He didn't tell me straight out, even off the record, but it's pretty clear that he will eventually commit to Northwestern. He just decommitted from Colorado State. He's going to take some time to "evaluate his options" but is planning to come back to visit NU again soon. "On my next visit, we might see a commitment," he said.

NU is recruiting him as a DE. He heard from them in the spring, but things got quiet after he committed to CSU. DL coach Christian Smith and recruiting communications director Bryan Payton re-established contact with him "a couple weeks ago" and invited him in for a visit. That's when he got the offer, his first from the Power Five and "a dream come true."

As for NU's current situation and the uncertainty around the future, he said this: "Coaches come and go, but the program stays. It's still Big Ten football and outstanding academics. That doesn't change."

Strong has a 11.89 on a very complicated 12.0 scale at Peru (Ind.), so the academics are obviously a big draw.

I'll write a story soon.

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Please be vigilant.

With the situation in the Middle East escalating, there are multiple hate groups targeting Jews in the greater Chicago area.

We’ve seen the consequences first hand.

Go ‘Cats!

Rivals ran a midseason poll of publishers, and they picked Northwestern 12th among Big Ten teams and, most gallingly, three spots behind Minnesota.

I wasn’t aware of this until yesterday but I’ve known Ben Slivka for many years and he’s a really great guy who bleeds purple. This is another shining example of how broken Shill is and it does involve our athletic department as well.

2024 QB Marek Hill was the only player still being recruited by Northwestern that visited for the Howard game. I talked to him about his visit, the possibility of a PWO or outright offer, and his impression of the program.

Had that nice KOR that helped set up a TD drive, then was an ox on the last drive. Had another nice run called back. He looked good.

With an experienced backcourt and assistant coach Chris Lowery coming back, the Wildcats think their defense will be their calling card for the second year in a row.