NU @ UM Prediction Thread

[rmndcat]

It's the later part of November. NU plays Michigan and on the line are both the George Jewett Trophy and bowl eligibility for both teams. The defending national champions are at just .500. NU is at 4-8 and needs at least 5 wins to have hopes for a bowl bid under academic qualification.

Playing in the Big House is never easy and NU is likely overmatched, though they did show flashes of a higher level of play against Ohio State until the wheels came off with snapping errors in the 2nd Quarter.

Who will come away with the Jewett Trophy? Probably Michigan, but the Cats have a fighter's chance.

George Jewett Blue 27
George Jewett Purple 18

 

[AdamOnFirst]

If Lausch balls out like he did in the first half yesterday, the Cats have a chance.

Otherwise, the Michigan front is just an absurd collection of Sunday players and the defense overall remains very talented and well coached. The offense stinks, but I'm not sure if NU can stand up to the sheer brawn up front for 60 minutes if the offense is going 3 and out all game because the DTs are causing total chaos.

It's such a Fitzball thing to say, but I think TOP and snap count is critical in this one. If they can keep it somewhat even in time on the field, they have a shot against this team. If they just get smothered... it's gonna be ugly.

 

[phatcat]

N00M

 

[mesacat]

Blue 24
Purple 10

 

[stpaulcat]

Always Azure Blue 3
Formerly Black now Purple 6

 

[JoeWildcat]

I am going to be optimistic and hope the NU offense explodes for at least 13 points.

NU 16
UM 13

 

[DaCat]

NU 6 UM 5

 

[stpaulcat]

I am going to be optimistic and hope the NU offense explodes for at least 13 points.

NU 16
UM 13

"Explodes", I love it.

 

[stpaulcat]

Always Azure Blue 3
Formerly Black now Purple 6

But somehow, azure doesn't grab me, more like maize.

 

[CMcCat]

Josh Priebe 27
Ezomo Oratokhai 9

 

[Jaguar 88]

It's the later part of November. NU plays Michigan and on the line are both the George Jewett Trophy and bowl eligibility for both teams. The defending national champions are at just .500. NU is at 4-8 and needs at least 5 wins to have hopes for a bowl bid under academic qualification.

Playing in the Big House is never easy and NU is likely overmatched, though they did show flashes of a higher level of play against Ohio State until the wheels came off with snapping errors in the 2nd Quarter.

Who will come away with the Jewett Trophy? Probably Michigan, but the Cats have a fighter's chance.

George Jewett Blue 27
George Jewett Purple 18

NU is 4-6. If they can't pull off a minor upset in Ann Arbor they probably will be 4-8 and will stay home. I don't see them taking out the Illini the final weekend. The team is too inconsistent and seems to not have the horses up front on offense.

 

[stpaulcat]

NU is 4-6. If they can't pull off a minor upset in Ann Arbor they probably will be 4-8 and will stay home. I don't see them taking out the Illini the final weekend. The team is too inconsistent and seems to not have the horses up front on offense.

Well, that's the kind of pessimism that has gotten us in the situation we are currently in.

 

[Jaguar 88]

Well, that's the kind of pessimism that has gotten us in the situation we are currently in.

My pessimism is a result of the situation the program has gotten itself into. U of M is also looking to secure a bowl after November, and they have bigger, meaner guys that will want to accomplish that. Ilinois is just plain better than we are, plus I think they will want to put a smack down on us if they can. There is plenty of blame to go around I am sure as to the predicament that NU football is in right now, but I highly doubt that yours truly has anything to do with it!

 

[stpaulcat]

My pessimism is a result of the situation the program has gotten itself into. U of M is also looking to secure a bowl after November, and they have bigger, meaner guys that will want to accomplish that. Ilinois is just plain better than we are, plus I think they will want to put a smack down on us if they can. There is plenty of blame to go around I am sure as to the predicament that NU football is in right now, but I highly doubt that yours truly has anything to do with it!

You had nothing to do with this, and I share some of your sentiments, However, no team anywhere has won a game believing they could not win.

 

[Jaguar 88]

You had nothing to do with this, and I share some of your sentiments, However, no team anywhere has won a game believing they could not win.

Not saying the Cat's don't believe in themselves, but the Cats haven't been playing that great this season Michigan is embarrassed and needs a win. Illinois probably just wants revenge.

 

[NU Houston]

NU 13
UM 9

 

[rmndcat]

NU is 4-6. If they can't pull off a minor upset in Ann Arbor they probably will be 4-8 and will stay home. I don't see them taking out the Illini the final weekend. The team is too inconsistent and seems to not have the horses up front on offense.

I don't think anyone is under the illusion that getting bowl eligible won't require one or better two minor/medium upsets. The fact that Michigan is down this season makes it plausible, but by no means probable.

 

[zeek55]

NU is 4-6. If they can't pull off a minor upset in Ann Arbor they probably will be 4-8 and will stay home. I don't see them taking out the Illini the final weekend. The team is too inconsistent and seems to not have the horses up front on offense.

I think we all know the odds are below 50% that we win one of the last 2, but the games have to be played, and there's enough reason to believe that Michigan or Illinois can have a down game against us having an up game at the right time.

This isn't like going up against Ohio State last week where it was basically a guaranteed loss as soon as Ohio State started to move the ball quickly towards the end of the 2nd quarter.

But that Northwestern team that showed up and held serve with Ohio State for 20 minutes can theoretically take out a Michigan or Illinois that's not playing well.

That's the bet.

I'm hopeful that we can make something happen because it'd be great for this team to get a 5th win and all the extra practices and then the potential for a bowl game as the 5-7 APR selection.

 

[DaCat]

As the cliche goes, play one game at a time, grab the win at the Big House, and move on to the next one.

 

[rrdd2021]

NU 17 - UM 13

 

[FanatiCat]

Do we have a status on Theran Johnson and Xander Mueller?

 

[DaCat]

Johnson will play, Mueller not, according to the Monday presser.