That's pretty badass.

@mikefitz77 was at Welsh-Ryan Arena for Northwestern's 89-62 exhibition win over Lewis and files this column on what we learned about the Cats with the season on the horizon.

"Cats are minus 1

@mikefitz77 was at Welsh-Ryan Arena for Northwestern's 89-62 exhibition win over Lewis and files this column on what we learned about the Cats with the season on the horizon.

First game on Monday! Between now and Jan 1, 2025 we have:

• 12 games
• Ken Pom rankings of key games:
  • Dayton: #27 Away
  • Butler: #83 Home
  • Iowa: #31 Away
  • Illinois: #23 Home
  • Georgia Tech: #71 Away

If we're 12-0 on Jan 1, I'm not sure we'll even remember how to pronounce Lujan. So there is that to hope for. Realistically though, what would make you forget about football? For me, it's to be ranked. And for that, I'm pretty sure we'll have to be 11-1 (w/ the loss to Dayton/Illinois/Iowa) or 12-0. That seems like a tall task but I don't think it's impossible.

Other questions:
10+ PPG scorers? (My prediction, in order)

1. Brooks
2. Jackie Moon (You know who that is)
3. Ty Berry
4. Leach

How will Fitzmorris, Nicholson, and Hunger share minutes? Will either Fitz or Hunger challenge Nicholson for the starting role? Will Nicholson ever learn a post move (alley oops don't count!)? Seriously, how can a man that huge not be a beast under the rim?

Will Leach play the traditional PG or will it be by committee?

Surprise contributor?

Cats lead 37-30. Usual sloppy start as Collins experiments with combination.
As coach had indicated, Nick and Luke look to be the most improved. Nick’s 3-point shooting looks much better.
Both Freshman have played. KJ looks fast, but the offense runs better with Leach at the point. Angelo has the size and some good instincts on defense (got a steal by being in the right spot) but already has 3 fouls.
MN dominating inside with three Nicholbombs.
Berry has been as expected.
Mullins and Smith have played, but no action for Clayton , Barkley or big Fitz.
BB very engaged talking to teammates and the refs as a goid captain should.

Good to hear about Nick and Luke. Not so good about BB.....

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The ghost of Strotz must be grinning ear to ear. I will say it is amazing what NU has accomplished with minimal institutional support. We have one heavy hitter donating the majority and building tremendous facilities, but that is about it. Here we go:

We lost three years with a terrible AD. And this was at the crossroads of massive changes in college athletics (NIL, portal, etc.)
We have a football coach hired by said terrible AD, that had no other options or ability to land a quality coach.
We have a president that probably cannot tell a softball from a baseball. His decision making skills are in question based on his approach to the Fritz firing and pending lawsuits.
The administration is counterproductive to athletic success, and shows no willingness to change their position.
The entire athletic landscape has changed and NU is very slow in anything they do, which will make that hole they have dug even deeper.
We seem like the type that are constructing malls in 1998. We will have a beautiful new stadium with a crap product to showcase. The factors above will influence our "product" and can make us obsolete in this new era of college athletics.

I hope our new AD new what he was getting into as he has a monumental task and many factors working against him. NU needs to commit or just drop the act and move on.

Looking at the roster it looks we have three freshmen QBs. Anyone heard anything good, bad or indifferent about them? Also, would they consider burning their redshirt year and at least see what we have?

He deserves some playing from that punt return alone! Who doesn’t love seeing a walkon wearing number 48 make a play like that?

I think most people think Barnhizer will lead the team in scoring this year, but of course he's not at 100% yet, and we don't know how good he'll be when he's the focal point of opposing defenses. Who's going to be #2 this year?

@lou v's column on the commitment from 2025 Rivals150 point guard Jake West.

Northwestern (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) is on the road to play at Iowa (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten). Kickoff is set for 2:40 pm CT based on the Kinnick Stadium clock and the game will air on BTN.

Announced today.

Breaking down snap counts from Northwestern's 40-14 loss at Iowa, per PFF.

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...are beatable. A third? Not giving up on Braun and this team.

Trotting out your punter for a 50 yard field goal when it’s 4th and 2

I really like Braun, but that is a shockingly low self awareness/learning from your mistakes

The thread anointing Lausch as the one after the EIU game is not aging well. Two safeties in two weeks is rarefied air. The QB position is far from solved.

I talked to WR Drew Wagner about his decision to commit to Northwestern in the run up to Signing Day.

Here's @mikefitz77's look at three things we learned, two questions and one bold prediction as NU tries to put Saturday's debacle behind them and prepare for the Boilers.

Defensive end Caden O'Rourke and Lincoln-Way East are the No. 1 seed in Class 8A of the IHSA playoffs after completing a 9-0 regular season. Read about O'Rourke and more in this week's recruit roundup.

Defensive end Caden O'Rourke and Lincoln-Way East are the No. 1 seed in Class 8A of the IHSA playoffs after completing a 9-0 regular season. Read about O'Rourke and more in this week's recruit roundup.

Coach Fitz’s son takes a PWO offer from Iowa. He’ll be there with Loyola teammate Drew MacPherson, Coach Mac’s son, who got a scholarship offer and committed a little while ago.

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