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I'm beginning to like the 12.5 points

mybrotha

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2011
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I see some similarities with this years team to the 1995 team. Minus the special teams play, I think our offense going in to this year despite some very valid questions could easily be better than in 1995. Yes Thorson has not played, but he's a smart kid who is an excellent athlete and he can run. Our backs are better than in 95 because while Autry is still my favorite NU back of all time, this years team features any number of quality runners. Jackson will be better and with all the speed I think we could be dynamic. O-Line is a concern, but I don't think the receivers will be. No Bates and another favorite (Musso) but while there are legit concerns for this group, I really think they will play well this year.
The defense, while more than likely not as good on the D-Line as 95 will have a decent line, but thin of course. This line though could surprise people if it gels. The linebackers move well and Smith is a beast for his size. The secondary I believe is the best that I have seen in the past 35 years at NU. I realize we had some good ones in 95 but I don't believe either of those corners would start over Harris and VanHoose is a beast and very smart. The safeties are good and Godwin is going to be very fun to watch.
So I kind of like a team without the fanfare and high expectations this year. I'd like to think this team will surprise people, including the oddsmakers.
 
I see some similarities with this years team to the 1995 team. Minus the special teams play, I think our offense going in to this year despite some very valid questions could easily be better than in 1995. Yes Thorson has not played, but he's a smart kid who is an excellent athlete and he can run. Our backs are better than in 95 because while Autry is still my favorite NU back of all time, this years team features any number of quality runners. Jackson will be better and with all the speed I think we could be dynamic. O-Line is a concern, but I don't think the receivers will be. No Bates and another favorite (Musso) but while there are legit concerns for this group, I really think they will play well this year.
The defense, while more than likely not as good on the D-Line as 95 will have a decent line, but thin of course. This line though could surprise people if it gels. The linebackers move well and Smith is a beast for his size. The secondary I believe is the best that I have seen in the past 35 years at NU. I realize we had some good ones in 95 but I don't believe either of those corners would start over Harris and VanHoose is a beast and very smart. The safeties are good and Godwin is going to be very fun to watch.
So I kind of like a team without the fanfare and high expectations this year. I'd like to think this team will surprise people, including the oddsmakers.

Maybe we are thin at the tackles, but the DE's are super deep. Especially when you consider Xavier Washington may be 3rd string now. I think this will be the best NU D since 1995.
 
Maybe we are thin at the tackles, but the DE's are super deep. Especially when you consider Xavier Washington may be 3rd string now. I think this will be the best NU D since 1995.

If we can get teams into third and longs the strengths of our defense will really shine. The key will be getting stops and TFLs on 1st and 2nd downs.
 
I see some similarities with this years team to the 1995 team...So I kind of like a team without the fanfare and high expectations this year. I'd like to think this team will surprise people, including the oddsmakers.

I have great hopes and great fears. Wildcat football can do that. Beat Notre Dame and Wisconsin last year, and lose to the Illini and get crushed by Iowa? But I agree that on paper, this team looks really hopeful. Possibly very good. When you look at the quality and depth of players, it seems like we are deeper and as talented as ever. Let's hope they come out hungry. And play 4 quarters. They could surprise Stanford and the nation! May the mighty Thorson conquer the Cardinal!
 
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I have great hopes and great fears. Wildcat football can do that. Beat Notre Dame and Wisconsin last year, and lose to the Illini and get crushed by Iowa? But I agree that on paper, this team look really hopeful. Possibly very good. When you look at the quality and depth of players, it seems like we are deeper and as talented as ever. Let's hope they come out hungry. And play 4 quarters. They could surprise Stanford and the nation! May the mighty Thorson conquer the Cardinal!

The best reason to hope is the apparent overall health of the team. We'll see the 2-deep early this week, but the only known losses for the season are McEvilly, Taylor and Short. Kuhar and Frazier will likely be out for week 1. CJ may be limited. But this could be the healthiest the team has been going into week 1 in a couple of years.
 
I see some similarities with this years team to the 1995 team. Minus the special teams play, I think our offense going in to this year despite some very valid questions could easily be better than in 1995. Yes Thorson has not played, but he's a smart kid who is an excellent athlete and he can run. Our backs are better than in 95 because while Autry is still my favorite NU back of all time, this years team features any number of quality runners. Jackson will be better and with all the speed I think we could be dynamic. O-Line is a concern, but I don't think the receivers will be. No Bates and another favorite (Musso) but while there are legit concerns for this group, I really think they will play well this year.
The defense, while more than likely not as good on the D-Line as 95 will have a decent line, but thin of course. This line though could surprise people if it gels. The linebackers move well and Smith is a beast for his size. The secondary I believe is the best that I have seen in the past 35 years at NU. I realize we had some good ones in 95 but I don't believe either of those corners would start over Harris and VanHoose is a beast and very smart. The safeties are good and Godwin is going to be very fun to watch.
So I kind of like a team without the fanfare and high expectations this year. I'd like to think this team will surprise people, including the oddsmakers.
I am not ready to put this team in the same classification as 1995. Notwithtanding any talk of better "vertical leaps" or "40 times", relative to the rest of the league, I cannot even remotely see a comparison - yet.

To be fair to this squad, it is incorrect to say "Autry 95 is better than "bevy of '15 backs", IF you include their 95 performance. We found out that, yes, Autry, and the line, and Bates, and the DB's etc, were wonderful, but didn't know it prior to the year. Autry, Bates, Schnur, for that matter Fitz, were relatively unproven going into 95.

Nevertheless, I think this year's offense would be dominated by 95 defense, which was simply stifling, and the 95 offense, as usual, would be efficient enough to score some on our '15 defense.

We had arguably the best ST's in the league as well.

NU was ranked #3 prior to the bowls for a reason. they were a great team. I am hopeful for this year's team but not ready to compare the two.
 
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