NU Schedule: Who really scares you?

[gocatsgo2003]

The first five games of 2015 have been a really REALLY fun ride. I thought the D had a chance to be good... but their performance to date blows any expectation I had out of the water. Couple that with a young QB who's getting better every week and we might be in for an even better finish to the season.

With that in mind, I turned to our remaining schedule. Though it might be a bit early given that we've only seen one week of B1G football (and a whole lot can change over the course of the season, especially injuries), I kept coming back to single question: Who's really scary on the remaining schedule?

In order, we have:

@ Michigan -- playing some really tough defense, but no real signature win to date

Iowa -- came out the gates strong, but didn't exactly look overwhelming against Wisconsin

@ Nebraska -- looked positively dreadful against Illinois, especially QB Armstrong (who I've always thought is wildly overrated, but I digress)

(Bye -- I bet we win this one, but I mention it specifically because it's a well-timed break to get healthy in the middle of the conference season)

Penn State -- has struggles to beat the likes of Army, San Diego State, and Buffalo after being overwhelmed by Temple in the opener

Purdue -- they're Purdue, though played Sparty pretty strong

Wisconsin -- see Iowa comments

Illinois -- LOLinois

My answer: Nobody. Nobody is really scary on that schedule. I don't look at any one of those games and say to myself "yeah... we would be lucky to come out of that one with a W."

This could be fun. REALLY fun.

 

[shakes3858]

The first five games of 2015 have been a really REALLY fun ride. I thought the D had a chance to be good... but their performance to date blows any expectation I had out of the water. Couple that with a young QB who's getting better every week and we might be in for an even better finish to the season.

With that in mind, I turned to our remaining schedule. Though it might be a bit early given that we've only seen one week of B1G football (and a whole lot can change over the course of the season, especially injuries), I kept coming back to single question: Who's really scary on the remaining schedule?

In order, we have:

@ Michigan -- playing some really tough defense, but no real signature win to date

Iowa -- came out the gates strong, but didn't exactly look overwhelming against Wisconsin

@ Nebraska -- looked positively dreadful against Illinois, especially QB Armstrong (who I've always thought is wildly overrated, but I digress)

(Bye -- I bet we win this one, but I mention it specifically because it's a well-timed break to get healthy in the middle of the conference season)

Penn State -- has struggles to beat the likes of Army, San Diego State, and Buffalo after being overwhelmed by Temple in the opener

Purdue -- they're Purdue, though played Sparty pretty strong

Wisconsin -- see Iowa comments

Illinois -- LOLinois

My answer: Nobody. Nobody is really scary on that schedule. I don't look at any one of those games and say to myself "yeah... we would be lucky to come out of that one with a W."

This could be fun. REALLY fun.

There are 7 games left on the schedule. 7 teams scare me. How long have you been around NU football? We could beat the 1985 Bears or lose to LouV's kid's peewee team.

Michigan on the road scares the crap out of me. I think Utah is a really good team and yes, Michigan hasn't beaten anyone, but their DLine is tough, they have many really good RBs, their oline is coming together... that sounds like us. The exception is they have an experienced (not great) QB. Thorson has more upside than Ruddock, but can't say I'm putting Thorson over Ruddock today. This will also be Thorson's first time in a hostile environment. Duke wasn't exactly a scary place to play.

 

[beetlemania74]

I hate to use the word "scared", but the Michigan game to me looks to be the most difficult. Harbaugh's a very good coach who will always have his team prepared. They very well could have (should have?) beaten Utah, except for some bad passes by Ruddock. I know that's part of the game, but he twice overthrew an open WR for an easy TD. They will continue to improve each week under a new head coach, and they're going to be tough.

We can win every game left on our schedule. Will we? Unlikely, but it's possible. It's NU football, where the unexpected happens all the time. Enjoy the ride.

 

[iskaboo]

I agree with Shakes. Also, a team that may not scare me now may scare the **** out of me a couple of weeks from now. I don't think many would have thought at the start of the year that Michigan may be one of our toughest games.

 

[Jonny2TheP]

The first five games of 2015 have been a really REALLY fun ride. I thought the D had a chance to be good... but their performance to date blows any expectation I had out of the water. Couple that with a young QB who's getting better every week and we might be in for an even better finish to the season.

With that in mind, I turned to our remaining schedule. Though it might be a bit early given that we've only seen one week of B1G football (and a whole lot can change over the course of the season, especially injuries), I kept coming back to single question: Who's really scary on the remaining schedule?

In order, we have:

@ Michigan -- playing some really tough defense, but no real signature win to date

Iowa -- came out the gates strong, but didn't exactly look overwhelming against Wisconsin

@ Nebraska -- looked positively dreadful against Illinois, especially QB Armstrong (who I've always thought is wildly overrated, but I digress)

(Bye -- I bet we win this one, but I mention it specifically because it's a well-timed break to get healthy in the middle of the conference season)

Penn State -- has struggles to beat the likes of Army, San Diego State, and Buffalo after being overwhelmed by Temple in the opener

Purdue -- they're Purdue, though played Sparty pretty strong

Wisconsin -- see Iowa comments

Illinois -- LOLinois

My answer: Nobody. Nobody is really scary on that schedule. I don't look at any one of those games and say to myself "yeah... we would be lucky to come out of that one with a W."

This could be fun. REALLY fun.

I think it all depends on how you define "scary", and for each person that is different. To me, scary is all determined on how likely we are to lose the game. And as good as we have been, there is only one game on the schedule that I feel really good about and that's Purdue. I feel pretty good about PSU and Illinois, but those are a little more scary to me than Purdue. I expect to win them, but who knows where we'll be in November with injuries, etc.?

The other games...well, this game this week is the hardest game left on the schedule in my opinion. Michigan is getting better with each week (okay, maybe they took a little step back this past weekend), and there is no doubt they are gaining a lot of confidence. They're like us in a lot of ways, and then you throw on that we are taking a RS freshman QB into his first real hostile environment, and it's going to be tough. Winnable? Absolutely, but quite scary to me.

Iowa at home- Medium scare level. I truly think we are better than them, but the thing that scares me most is how much they dominated us last year. Yes, it was last year, but they embarrassed us like no one else came even close to doing. I was in the stadium that day, and it was over pretty much right away. Of course we are a different team now, we are much healthier, they're a different team too, etc. I know, I get it, I'm not an idiot (well, that last part is debatable). But we were so dominated that it just makes it scary to me.

Nebraska has looked pretty lousy to me, but it's still Nebraska in Lincoln. Not an easy environment to play in at all. And that Nebraska team does have talent, so it's not like they can't jump up and play a good game and beat most teams on a good day. Again, very winnable, but I can't say I'm feeling great confidence there.

And at Wisconsin...similar to the Nebraska comment, and then throw in the fact that Madison has been a house of horrors to us in recent trips, and yeah, it's scary.

Do we have Alabama in Tuscaloosa left on our schedule or LSU? No- not even close really. But still a lot of games that can be lost for the most part. Count me as "scared" about most of them as I sit typing this today. And that's not a knock on us, cause I think we've been great. It's just that coming out and playing well for 12 games in a row is very difficult, and we are going to have win some games when we come out and play like we did against Ball State (or something similar) if this is going to be a REALLY special season.

 

[DaCat]

The right answer to the question "Which upcoming game worries/scares you the most?" is "The next one" but that would be no fun. Fitz tells his players to have fun, so why can't the fans? I rank them in the order of who I think will be the most difficult for this team to beat:

1. @Michigan
2. @Wisconsin
3. Iowa
4. @Neb
5. LOLinois (Soldier Field)
6. Purdue

If we get by Michigan, then we can really make a serious run for all the marbles, not just the B1G championship. Of course even if we do lose to Michigan and run the table, we'll be in the B1G championship game. Getting that 1995 feeling...

 

[villox]

The right answer to the question "Which upcoming game worries/scares you the most?" is "The next one" but that would be no fun. Fitz tells his players to have fun, so why can't the fans? I rank them in the order of who I think will be the most difficult for this team to beat:

1. @Michigan
2. @Wisconsin
3. Iowa
4. @Neb
5. LOLinois (Soldier Field)
6. Purdue

If we get by Michigan, then we can really make a serious run for all the marbles, not just the B1G championship. Of course even if we do lose to Michigan and run the table, we'll be in the B1G championship game. Getting that 1995 feeling...

We also play Penn State. I'd put them between Iowa and Nebraska.

 

[hdhntr1]

The first five games of 2015 have been a really REALLY fun ride. I thought the D had a chance to be good... but their performance to date blows any expectation I had out of the water. Couple that with a young QB who's getting better every week and we might be in for an even better finish to the season.

With that in mind, I turned to our remaining schedule. Though it might be a bit early given that we've only seen one week of B1G football (and a whole lot can change over the course of the season, especially injuries), I kept coming back to single question: Who's really scary on the remaining schedule?

In order, we have:

@ Michigan -- playing some really tough defense, but no real signature win to date

Iowa -- came out the gates strong, but didn't exactly look overwhelming against Wisconsin

@ Nebraska -- looked positively dreadful against Illinois, especially QB Armstrong (who I've always thought is wildly overrated, but I digress)

(Bye -- I bet we win this one, but I mention it specifically because it's a well-timed break to get healthy in the middle of the conference season)

Penn State -- has struggles to beat the likes of Army, San Diego State, and Buffalo after being overwhelmed by Temple in the opener

Purdue -- they're Purdue, though played Sparty pretty strong

Wisconsin -- see Iowa comments

Illinois -- LOLinois

My answer: Nobody. Nobody is really scary on that schedule. I don't look at any one of those games and say to myself "yeah... we would be lucky to come out of that one with a W."

This could be fun. REALLY fun.

Michigan is a tough one, especially at their house. They are the #2 scoring D behind us. That one scares me. IA has an O that is pretty balanced and they just knocked of the top seed in Wis (which has the # 4 scoring D so that might explain why they did not look impressive) But at least that game is at home. Finally Wisconsin again with the #4 scoring D and at their house were we have not played well. Otherwise, I agree.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Right now, Michigan looms as the toughest--and only-- test ("only" in the sense that the next game is the only game that matters).

I expect Iowa, Nebraska, and Wiscy to evolve by the time we face them. Nebraska was dreadful vs. Illinois, but I expect them to right the ship by the time we come calling. Wisconsin is always tough at Camp Randall.

That said, I have never been sold on Stave nor Armstrong, and frankly I think it will take a very good QB to beat us. This leaves Iowa as a bit of a wildcard, as I think Beathard has some real skills. As for the rest, I think we can handle them if we play our game.

 

[SmellyCat]

They all scare me of course, because I'm an NU fan. Even Purdue.

What actually scares me that we haven't talked about much is that NU has NOT played away from home very much this year - just the Duke game, and there were plenty of struggles in that one (albeit against a good D). I really don't know how good this team can be on the road. It helps that they're generally loose, but it's easier to be loose when you're dominating games. What happens when the game is really tight in a hostile environment? The jury's still out.

In order, these games scare me the most:
1) Michigan
2) Wisconsin
3) Nebraska
4) Iowa
5) Penn St.
6) Purdue
7) Illinois

 

[stpaulcat]

I think it all depends on how you define "scary", and for each person that is different. To me, scary is all determined on how likely we are to lose the game. And as good as we have been, there is only one game on the schedule that I feel really good about and that's Purdue. I feel pretty good about PSU and Illinois, but those are a little more scary to me than Purdue. I expect to win them, but who knows where we'll be in November with injuries, etc.?

The other games...well, this game this week is the hardest game left on the schedule in my opinion. Michigan is getting better with each week (okay, maybe they took a little step back this past weekend), and there is no doubt they are gaining a lot of confidence. They're like us in a lot of ways, and then you throw on that we are taking a RS freshman QB into his first real hostile environment, and it's going to be tough. Winnable? Absolutely, but quite scary to me.

Iowa at home- Medium scare level. I truly think we are better than them, but the thing that scares me most is how much they dominated us last year. Yes, it was last year, but they embarrassed us like no one else came even close to doing. I was in the stadium that day, and it was over pretty much right away. Of course we are a different team now, we are much healthier, they're a different team too, etc. I know, I get it, I'm not an idiot (well, that last part is debatable). But we were so dominated that it just makes it scary to me.

Nebraska has looked pretty lousy to me, but it's still Nebraska in Lincoln. Not an easy environment to play in at all. And that Nebraska team does have talent, so it's not like they can't jump up and play a good game and beat most teams on a good day. Again, very winnable, but I can't say I'm feeling great confidence there.

And at Wisconsin...similar to the Nebraska comment, and then throw in the fact that Madison has been a house of horrors to us in recent trips, and yeah, it's scary.

Do we have Alabama in Tuscaloosa left on our schedule or LSU? No- not even close really. But still a lot of games that can be lost for the most part. Count me as "scared" about most of them as I sit typing this today. And that's not a knock on us, cause I think we've been great. It's just that coming out and playing well for 12 games in a row is very difficult, and we are going to have win some games when we come out and play like we did against Ball State (or something similar) if this is going to be a REALLY special season.

If we do beat Michigan which I think we can--I have this built up historical illusion that they are invincible, although they have not been so much for us--I will be a lot less scared about Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin. It would be nice to beat the Harbaugh.

 

[Deeringfish]

The right answer to the question "Which upcoming game worries/scares you the most?" is "The next one" but that would be no fun. Fitz tells his players to have fun, so why can't the fans? I rank them in the order of who I think will be the most difficult for this team to beat:

1. @Michigan
2. @Wisconsin
3. Iowa
4. @Neb
5. LOLinois (Soldier Field)
6. Purdue

If we get by Michigan, then we can really make a serious run for all the marbles, not just the B1G championship. Of course even if we do lose to Michigan and run the table, we'll be in the B1G championship game. Getting that 1995 feeling...

I affirm your list DaCat with one different thought. The Michigan game is probably the least important game. 1) they are outside of the division, 2) win all the rest of the games and a loss in the Big House is the most forgivable to the voters as long as we don't simply roll over. 3) lose this week and win the rest and we are in the B1G Championship game (may have to beat Michigan the second time around.)

In some ways, I'm more "scared" of losing to Illinois.

 

[KramerCat91]

No team on the schedule scares me. NU is better than its remaining opponents although I don't expect that we will run the table. Because Wisconsin has lost already, going into Madison isn't so scary in that we can afford a loss and still win the division assuming head-to-head with Wisconsin won't decide the outcome.

The bowl game scares me because our opponent could be really good.

 

[Deeringfish]

No team on the schedule scares me. NU is better than its remaining opponents although I don't expect that we will run the table. Because Wisconsin has lost already, going into Madison isn't so scary in that we can afford a loss and still win the division assuming head-to-head with Wisconsin won't decide the outcome.

The bowl game scares me because our opponent could be really good.

The B1G champion game is a little scary

 

[Cat In The Cradle]

Playing Iowa at home gives me comfort. I anticipate no reason to leave a state of sobriety for that game. That, and its lack of any "signature win" - I like that term as you applied it to Michigan and which equally applies to Iowa - speaks to a classic, hard hat and lunch bucket style conference win for Northwestern.

Now Wisconsin and Nebraska, and Michigan for that matter, all have new coaches. Let's zero in on this consideration for a moment. There are advantages to playing teams under new leadership in the mid-season: the post honeymoon but pre-conformity period. That's why I'm confident about our games in Ann Arbor and Lincoln. If there is any good time to play away games against these programs, it's how we already have them lined up on the schedule.

Wisconsin and Illinois, I don't know. They may have their proverbial shit together by the time we play against them. In fact, I cannot chuckle about I-LOL-nois. After watching the reply of the Nebraska v. Illini game, I was really impressed with how Wes Lunt was slinging it around the field, as well as how motivated the team seemed under the new coach. If we were - hold your breath for 30 seconds - u.n.d.e.f.e.a.t.e.d coming into Soldier Field, this game has the potential to be the 2015 version of Wake Forest or Miami of Ohio. Parenthetically, I think Armstrong is the quintessential dual quarterback - he can run and throw with the best of them but Nebraska doesn't call as many running plays with him as McCall would that otherwise maximizes speed and quickness or complements his throwing ability. What a waste of talent.

Another digression about our immediate opponent: the defensive cohesiveness that many credit to the Harbaugh regime has as much to do with Harbaugh (an offensive-minded coach judging from his Stanford years) as the existing talent pool and the quality of opponents the program has played. Let's evaluate the offensive capabilities of Michigan's opponents thus far: Oregon State only mustered a TD against mighty Weber State the week before tallying the same outcome versus Michigan, and Maryland scored even less two weeks ago; UNLV has reached double digits only twice this year against weak teams; the BYU game - admittedly, the shutout was impressive but was it merely an anomaly cancelled out by Michigan's opening game loss against Utah? In short, there is no way . . . if there was a way, maybe Harbaugh should be teaching business management classes at Kellog and endowing the American business community with blue chip CEOs . . . that Harbaugh has had any measurable impact on defensive play of Michigan as many learned folks give him credit for. Appoint him as the Commissar to bankrupt Detroit if he is really that good.

 

[DaCat]

We also play Penn State. I'd put them between Iowa and Nebraska.

Good catch villox. PSU doesn't scare me (now that Sandusky is behind bars) as Fitz seems to have Franklin's number beginning from the Vandy days. I would actually put them behind LOLinois at #6 and bump the Boilerchickens down to 7. LOL will be pumped up to play at Soldier Field and now that the Beckman advantage is gone, could be tougher.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

The first five games of 2015 have been a really REALLY fun ride. I thought the D had a chance to be good... but their performance to date blows any expectation I had out of the water. Couple that with a young QB who's getting better every week and we might be in for an even better finish to the season.

With that in mind, I turned to our remaining schedule. Though it might be a bit early given that we've only seen one week of B1G football (and a whole lot can change over the course of the season, especially injuries), I kept coming back to single question: Who's really scary on the remaining schedule?

In order, we have:

@ Michigan -- playing some really tough defense, but no real signature win to date

Iowa -- came out the gates strong, but didn't exactly look overwhelming against Wisconsin

@ Nebraska -- looked positively dreadful against Illinois, especially QB Armstrong (who I've always thought is wildly overrated, but I digress)

(Bye -- I bet we win this one, but I mention it specifically because it's a well-timed break to get healthy in the middle of the conference season)

Penn State -- has struggles to beat the likes of Army, San Diego State, and Buffalo after being overwhelmed by Temple in the opener

Purdue -- they're Purdue, though played Sparty pretty strong

Wisconsin -- see Iowa comments

Illinois -- LOLinois

My answer: Nobody. Nobody is really scary on that schedule. I don't look at any one of those games and say to myself "yeah... we would be lucky to come out of that one with a W."

This could be fun. REALLY fun.

None of these teams scare me. I think we can beat all of them and do so convincingly so if we play our best. But I also think we can lose to any of them.

I will say this. If we have zero turnovers the rest of the year, we will win the National Title. I think we can beat ANYBODY if we hang onto the ball.

 

[KramerCat91]

The B1G champion game is a little scary

So far Ohio State and Michigan State haven't looked that great so the B10 championship game doesn't scare me. My definition of "scare me" is "we don't have a chance."

 

[hawkit3113]

Iowa better scare you.

 

[Cat In The Cradle]

Iowa better scare you.

. . . only when I'm driving on I-80.

 

[Seattle_Cat]

The first five games of 2015 have been a really REALLY fun ride. I thought the D had a chance to be good... but their performance to date blows any expectation I had out of the water. Couple that with a young QB who's getting better every week and we might be in for an even better finish to the season.

With that in mind, I turned to our remaining schedule. Though it might be a bit early given that we've only seen one week of B1G football (and a whole lot can change over the course of the season, especially injuries), I kept coming back to single question: Who's really scary on the remaining schedule?

In order, we have:

@ Michigan -- playing some really tough defense, but no real signature win to date

Iowa -- came out the gates strong, but didn't exactly look overwhelming against Wisconsin

@ Nebraska -- looked positively dreadful against Illinois, especially QB Armstrong (who I've always thought is wildly overrated, but I digress)

(Bye -- I bet we win this one, but I mention it specifically because it's a well-timed break to get healthy in the middle of the conference season)

Penn State -- has struggles to beat the likes of Army, San Diego State, and Buffalo after being overwhelmed by Temple in the opener

Purdue -- they're Purdue, though played Sparty pretty strong

Wisconsin -- see Iowa comments

Illinois -- LOLinois

My answer: Nobody. Nobody is really scary on that schedule. I don't look at any one of those games and say to myself "yeah... we would be lucky to come out of that one with a W."

This could be fun. REALLY fun.

Michigan! They are a good team and the refs are always on their side at the Big House.

 

[hdhntr1]

If we do beat Michigan which I think we can--I have this built up historical illusion that they are invincible, although they have not been so much for us--I will be a lot less scared about Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin. It would be nice to beat the Harbaugh.

Agreed. Michigan looks the toughest because of their D and it is at their house. IA next as it looks like it could be between us and them for the West title, Wisconsin will be tough up there. Nebraska looks beatable but it is at their house and long enough till we get there that they might get their act together. But if we get by MICH, confidence will be high. Even though we have more depth than in the past, still need to stay healthy. In any event, cannot go 7-0 if we do not first go 6-0 so this weekends game is most important for now.

 

[hawkit3113]

. . . only when I'm driving on I-80.

 

[willycat]

Playing Iowa at home gives me comfort. I anticipate no reason to leave a state of sobriety for that game. That, and its lack of any "signature win" - I like that term as you applied it to Michigan and which equally applies to Iowa - speaks to a classic, hard hat and lunch bucket style conference win for Northwestern.

Now Wisconsin and Nebraska, and Michigan for that matter, all have new coaches. Let's zero in on this consideration for a moment. There are advantages to playing teams under new leadership in the mid-season: the post honeymoon but pre-conformity period. That's why I'm confident about our games in Ann Arbor and Lincoln. If there is any good time to play away games against these programs, it's how we already have them lined up on the schedule.

Wisconsin and Illinois, I don't know. They may have their proverbial shit together by the time we play against them. In fact, I cannot chuckle about I-LOL-nois. After watching the reply of the Nebraska v. Illini game, I was really impressed with how Wes Lunt was slinging it around the field, as well as how motivated the team seemed under the new coach. If we were - hold your breath for 30 seconds - u.n.d.e.f.e.a.t.e.d coming into Soldier Field, this game has the potential to be the 2015 version of Wake Forest or Miami of Ohio. Parenthetically, I think Armstrong is the quintessential dual quarterback - he can run and throw with the best of them but Nebraska doesn't call as many running plays with him as McCall would that otherwise maximizes speed and quickness or complements his throwing ability. What a waste of talent.

Another digression about our immediate opponent: the defensive cohesiveness that many credit to the Harbaugh regime has as much to do with Harbaugh (an offensive-minded coach judging from his Stanford years) as the existing talent pool and the quality of opponents the program has played. Let's evaluate the offensive capabilities of Michigan's opponents thus far: Oregon State only mustered a TD against mighty Weber State the week before tallying the same outcome versus Michigan, and Maryland scored even less two weeks ago; UNLV has reached double digits only twice this year against weak teams; the BYU game - admittedly, the shutout was impressive but was it merely an anomaly cancelled out by Michigan's opening game loss against Utah? In short, there is no way . . . if there was a way, maybe Harbaugh should be teaching business management classes at Kellog and endowing the American business community with blue chip CEOs . . . that Harbaugh has had any measurable impact on defensive play of Michigan as many learned folks give him credit for. Appoint him as the Commissar to bankrupt Detroit if he is really that good.

The game NU must win is vs. Io-a at home, as I think the rest are very winnable. Lunt is not good and Illinois is still bad and UNL called one to many running plays for Armstrong. Usually going to Madison and Lincoln are scary but not so much this season. Win Saturday and next week and NU is in the drivers seat for the west title.

 

[hdhntr1]

Playing Iowa at home gives me comfort. I anticipate no reason to leave a state of sobriety for that game. That, and its lack of any "signature win" - I like that term as you applied it to Michigan and which equally applies to Iowa - speaks to a classic, hard hat and lunch bucket style conference win for Northwestern.

Now Wisconsin and Nebraska, and Michigan for that matter, all have new coaches. Let's zero in on this consideration for a moment. There are advantages to playing teams under new leadership in the mid-season: the post honeymoon but pre-conformity period. That's why I'm confident about our games in Ann Arbor and Lincoln. If there is any good time to play away games against these programs, it's how we already have them lined up on the schedule.

Wisconsin and Illinois, I don't know. They may have their proverbial shit together by the time we play against them. In fact, I cannot chuckle about I-LOL-nois. After watching the reply of the Nebraska v. Illini game, I was really impressed with how Wes Lunt was slinging it around the field, as well as how motivated the team seemed under the new coach. If we were - hold your breath for 30 seconds - u.n.d.e.f.e.a.t.e.d coming into Soldier Field, this game has the potential to be the 2015 version of Wake Forest or Miami of Ohio. Parenthetically, I think Armstrong is the quintessential dual quarterback - he can run and throw with the best of them but Nebraska doesn't call as many running plays with him as McCall would that otherwise maximizes speed and quickness or complements his throwing ability. What a waste of talent.

Another digression about our immediate opponent: the defensive cohesiveness that many credit to the Harbaugh regime has as much to do with Harbaugh (an offensive-minded coach judging from his Stanford years) as the existing talent pool and the quality of opponents the program has played. Let's evaluate the offensive capabilities of Michigan's opponents thus far: Oregon State only mustered a TD against mighty Weber State the week before tallying the same outcome versus Michigan, and Maryland scored even less two weeks ago; UNLV has reached double digits only twice this year against weak teams; the BYU game - admittedly, the shutout was impressive but was it merely an anomaly cancelled out by Michigan's opening game loss against Utah? In short, there is no way . . . if there was a way, maybe Harbaugh should be teaching business management classes at Kellog and endowing the American business community with blue chip CEOs . . . that Harbaugh has had any measurable impact on defensive play of Michigan as many learned folks give him credit for. Appoint him as the Commissar to bankrupt Detroit if he is really that good.

No but it would seem he has a pretty descent D Coordinator. It isn't Harbaugh per say but the coaching staff he has assembled and the talent that they have to work with and finally getting them on the same page and not needing them to overcome O mistakes. A team built pretty much like NU. Solid D and an O that is a work in progress but with better talent and a SR QB with a fair amount of experience

 

[NJCat83588]

No but it would seem he has a pretty descent D Coordinator. It isn't Harbaugh per say but the coaching staff he has assembled and the talent that they have to work with and finally getting them on the same page and not needing them to overcome O mistak

I don't know where the story line started that Michigan doesn't have talent. This is a team loaded with talent. Jabriel Peppers was the #1 recruit in America for gosh sakes. Pretty much everyone stayed when Hoke left, and these guys are experienced and deep. Pat pointed it out today in his press conference, the 2-deep is full of 4 and 5 year guys. Shows what impact coaching has, these are for the most part the same players who at least on offense underperformed the last couple of years.

 

[Fitz51]

There are 7 games left on the schedule. 7 teams scare me. How long have you been around NU football? We could beat the 1985 Bears or lose to LouV's kid's peewee team.

100% this.

 

[hdhntr1]

I don't know where the story line started that Michigan doesn't have talent. This is a team loaded with talent. Jabriel Peppers was the #1 recruit in America for gosh sakes. Pretty much everyone stayed when Hoke left, and these guys are experienced and deep. Pat pointed it out today in his press conference, the 2-deep is full of 4 and 5 year guys. Shows what impact coaching has, these are for the most part the same players who at least on offense underperformed the last couple of years.

I felt that RR would have been able to get somewhere if he had stayed and been able to develop the players he recruited. But he left and MI went in a different direction and Hoke had the wrong players for his system. Got them in the system then he was gone. But now they are upper classmen. He would have probably had success this year. That said, this group is similar to what Harbaugh needs and now they are upper classmen so Harbaugh has the people he needs to make a splash. I think Hoke would have done OK this year as well but never got the chance..

 

[EvanstonCat]

So far Ohio State and Michigan State haven't looked that great so the B10 championship game doesn't scare me. My definition of "scare me" is "we don't have a chance."

Then with this D, nothing scares me. No one in or outside the B1G.

This said, I think Michigan will be a real test. Ioa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska are all going to be challenges as well. PSU has a decent defense, and that's all you need for a couple turnovers or ST plays to win the game. LOLlinois scares me only because if we lose, I think I may have to shoot myself. Purdue doesn't scare me, though they gave MSU all they could handle. None of these games are gimmes. But, nothing really scares me. Get past Michigan, and I think we could run the table.

 

[phatcat]

Only one: Northwestern. How many times have we seen our team get our hopes up, to varying degrees, then sh1t the bed?

 

[Aging Booster]

I agree with most of the others; every team left on our schedule frightens me a bit. I loved Fitz's comments two years ago - it is very hard to win a Big Ten game.