Numbers that need to change for NU in 2015

[lou v]

WildcatReport reviews some numbers that need to change for Northwestern this season.

Story: Telling numbers

 

[phatcat]

there should also be one numbered "200", which could either be the number of dropped passes or the number of starts missed due to injury

 

[Alaskawildkat]

Philip Straus did a nice job putting together that piece. In a strange way it makes me optimistic for this season as the upside potential is certainly there and if we could win as many games as we did last year being the 100th or worse team in the nation in a majority of the listed categories, and likewise the 10th or worse team in the Big 10 in those same categories then all we have to do is get 10% better to get that one more win to make it back to a bowl. Improve 20% and we are talking about a middle or upper tier bowl. Improve by 50% and as the secondary has already told us, "the sky is the limit."

 

[NJCat83588]

Philip Straus did a nice job putting together that piece. In a strange way it makes me optimistic for this season as the upside potential is certainly there and if we could win as many games as we did last year being the 100th or worse team in the nation in a majority of the listed categories, and likewise the 10th or worse team in the Big 10 in those same categories then all we have to do is get 10% better to get that one more win to make it back to a bowl. Improve 20% and we are talking about a middle or upper tier bowl. Improve by 50% and as the secondary has already told us, "the sky is the limit."

I dunno, at least 3 don't seem likely to change: 34, 4.5 and 10, the first two because of the inexperience on offense you cite, the third because of the extreme risk aversion on special teams. I'm more optimistic about 37.24 and 17. Unless the first 3 change significantly, I doubt 8 will decrease very much.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

WildcatReport reviews some numbers that need to change for Northwestern this season.

Story: Telling numbers

The most important number is injuries,Lou! We need to keep the kids healthy this year!

 

[beetlemania74]

But, you know, stats are for losers, right? Seriously, the numbers don't lie, and these numbers are very concerning. A team that doesn't make big plays on offense, doesn't return punts, doesn't punt the ball well, and doesn't get a good pass rush on the QB is a team that is likely to fail. We saw it time and time again last season - slowly lose the field position battle, no momentum on offense, and the defense gets worn down. That formula has to change, or it's going to be another mediocre (at best) season.

Start with the special teams. As I've said many times here, there's no real excuse IMO to not at least fair catch punts. Too many times, our guys run away from the ball and let it roll another 10-15 yards downfield. I'm sure that's per Fitz's direction. Don't be afraid to come up and fair catch the ball in traffic. It's what NFL teams do, and many successful college teams do it as well. It's part of winning the field position battle. You've got to do it, Fitz. And on the other side, we need a punter who can get the ball down the field. Our punting groups have been miserable the last couple of years, and it has a negative effect on the game. Northwestern is supposed to be a smart, disciplined team, but consistently poor performance by our punting groups is not a sign of an intelligent team or coaching staff.

Regarding the lack of big plays on offense, I have more faith that McCall can turn things around. Whether it's playing the true freshmen at WR or simply having a QB who can do more out of the pocket, I think things will improve in this area (of course, it would be hard for them to get worse).