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Quick Thoughts for Saturday's Game

I loved the way we played last week against Maryland, how our defense looked so much better and got four takeaways from a team that had barely turned the ball over prior to that. I also am really pleasantly surprised at how the offense has grown. It's still got a long way to go, but we've seen a lot of improvement the last two weeks, and credit to Lausch for taking care of the ball and not turning it over.

All that said, I have a bad feeling about this one on Saturday. After a year plus with Fickell, it looks like Wisconsin is finally figuring it out and playing really good ball. Rutgers isn't a great team, but they are a tough team that plays hard and doesn't make things easy for their opponents, and Wisconsin just whooped them from the jump...Locke looks like the real deal and their defense has been playing more like Wisconsin defense's of old.

I feel like a 28-7 type loss may be incoming. I, of course, would love to come back here on Saturday and celebrate how wrong I was (and I will do it if we win). But this is one of those rare games where I really just have a bad feeling about it.

Interesting take on Oregon OSU finish

When I was watching I was calling out to the TV for Oregon to take a time out because their defense looked confused. The 12 men on the field was by design which was a pretty big gamble at that spot in the field. It took the ball from the 43 to the 38 and ran 4 seconds off the clock, leaving 6 seconds with one timeout for OSU to get in FG range. The 12 men gave Oregon enough advantage in the secondary to prevent a completion. I think it caused enough confusion for OSU and their QB on timing as he ran out the clock scrambling. However, on watching slomo replay he could have safely slid at the 35 at :02 and took a time out with :01, leaving time for a 52 yard FG attempt which is makeable (though not sure how good their FG kicker is).

Interesting gamble. Did they do it because they had less confidence in their secondary and felt that OSU couldn't make a longer FG? I wonder if more teams will try this? It seems to make a lot of sense in some endgame situations, I woudl think moreso if the other team needs a TD and time is more limiting than downs. Just put 12 men (how about 13 or 14???) on the field to give yourself an advantage, and take the 5 yard penalty. 5 yards is better than giving up a completion for 15, and you also get to run time off the clock. If it happens enough maybe they will change the rule that the time goes back on the clock?

https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/20...g-that-we-had-worked-on-dan-lanning-said.html

We've reached the first TV timeout. Cats lead Lehigh 10-7. Now what?

It seems like a safe assumption that Nicholson, Martinelli, Barnhizer, Berry and Leach will open the season as the starting 5, assuming everybody is healthy.

Is the first substitution Hunger for Nicholson? Or is it Keenan Fitzmorris for Nicholson?
I want to believe it is Luke Hunger. After that things are unclear...

Who is the first man off the bench for the non-centers?
Will we see Jordan Clayton subbing in for Leach? Or will we run an offense without a point guard?

Justin Mullins, Angelo Ciavarino and Blake Smith all seem like the same sort of wing / small forward. Athletic guys who will not be handling the ball too much.
They should provide depth at the 2 and/or the 3, with Smith probably getting fewer opportunities.

KJ Windham looks like a guy who can jump ahead of Clayton quickly and become the first bench option at point guard or shooting guard.

If Blake Barkley can provide depth at the power forward position, that would be nice, but I don't expect it.
Hopefully we'll see Luke Hunger at that position on occasion.

We're solid at 4 starting positions, facing a big question at point guard, with lots of rotation possibilities.

The season starts in 3 weeks!

Tre's takes from attending a recent practice

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Came across this on twitter (from a re-share from Brian James' account). My quick takes on his takes:
  • Affirming to hear the type of culture that has been built, and continues to be built.
  • He confirms that Leach will be a great add, and he likes the incoming frosh.
  • I learned that Ciaravino's nickname is "Jello." That's cool.

Zoom In-Game Discussion: Wisconsin at NU Saturday Oct 19 11:00 AM CT

If you are a Northwestern fan and watching the game on TV (or streaming it), you are welcome to join us for a live Zoom discussion during the game. It's a great way to share the experience with others as you watch.

One thing you should be aware of is that TV and streaming are not always in sync with real time. It is not unusual for some viewers to be 30 seconds ahead of others, which leads to an interesting dynamic during the game watch. You can often tell by the reactions of others if something good or bad is about to happen. To me, it just makes it more interesting.

I hope that you can join us on via Zoom on Saturday at 11:00 AM CT.

Topic: Zoom Game Discussion: Wisconsin at NU Saturday Oct 19 11:00 AM CT
Time: Oct 19, 2024 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 827 0520 0932
Passcode: 083985


Go 'Cats

- Astro

FOOTBALL Maryland PFF Grades Analysis

For anyone who has had gripes with player scores in the past, here's head coach David Braun for you this week: "We don't put too much stock in PFF grades". But, before you close the tab, Braun has more: "It's an incredible tool for us in breakdown".

So, like I've said before, take the numbers with a grain of salt, but I think there are a few different analytics here that are helpful, especially with quarterbacking in terms of time to throw, depth and location, targets, as well as blocking, run success lanes and snap counts.

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  • Locked
Dick Uihlein

[might get taken down, worth a shot]

Dick, Mac's grandfather, has donated nearly $50 million to a [REDACTED] PAC in the past few months. The guy has a sh*tload of money—he's the heir to a beer fortune and the CEO of Uline.

Is he a donor prospect for NU? I personally [REDACTED] would love to spread some of his wealth to our players.

Would NU even accept his money? [REDACTED]

Big Ten TV Schedule: Week Eight (10/18-10/19)

All times CENTRAL. All games available nationally unless otherwise indicated. Rankings come from the AP poll.

First, the NU game:

Wisconsin @ Northwestern
Saturday, October 19
11:00 AM, BTN
PxP: Jeff Levering
Color: Jake Butt

And the rest:

Friday, October 18

#2 Oregon @ Purdue
7:00 PM, FOX
PxP: Tim Brando
Color: Devin Gardner

Saturday, October 19

Nebraska @ #16 Indiana (Big Noon Kickoff)
11:00 AM, FOX
PxP: Gus Johnson
Color: Joel Klatt

UCLA @ Rutgers
11:00 AM, FS1
PxP: Guy Haberman
Color: Yogi Roth

#24 Michigan @ #22 Illinois
2:30 PM, CBS
PxP: Brad Nessler
Color: Gary Danielson

USC @ Maryland
3:00 PM, FS1
PxP: Eric Collins
Color: Robert Smith

Iowa @ Michigan State
6:30 PM, NBC
PxP: Noah Eagle
Color: Todd Blackledge

Minnesota, #4 Ohio State, #3 Penn State, and Washington are off this week.

HOOPS RECRUITING Northwestern offers 2026 guard Justin Curry II on campus visit


I talked to Noblesville, Ind. guard Justin Curry II about his visit to Northwestern, picking up his offer on campus and his impression of the program.

FB RECRUITING 2025 DL Cameron Herron picks up NU offer on visit, plans to take OV


I talked to Cameron Herron yesterday about his visit, the offer he received on it and the potential for a return trip on an official this spring or summer.

FOOTBALL Wildcats work through injuries as undefeated Indiana looms


Head coach David Braun addressed the media yesterday at his game week press conference. He talked about the team's health, jump starting the offense on short notice, and the challenges of facing an undefeated and ranked Indiana team this Saturday.
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