Simple key to today's game...

[The_Waterboy]

This key item to securing victory is crucial to any football team besting their opposition on any given Saturday; and is especially applicable for NU's grapple against the Stanford Timberlings commencing at 11:00 AM when Fitz and McCall roll-out a newbie QB for his first true taste of real Power-5 conference game-time speed and action -

For the 'Cats' O: Positive yards on 1st down
For the 'Cats' D: Holding the Tree-Huggers to 4 yards or less on 1st down.

If Clayton Thorson can maintain his composure and consistently deliver positive yardage on 1st down, then the 'Cats have a their best chance to maintain possession and sustain multiple 1st down drives in their bid to secure the "W". Without it, the 'Cat O will be DOA in short order. It's a very tough hump to jump for a newbie QB, but I trust in the coaching staff's decision to go with the untested Thorson as their QB of choice. If the O-line can keep Clayton upright and relatively grass stain-free, I like the 'Cats' chances at pulling-off the upset of the #21 Tree-Huggers.

 

[shakes3858]

Ok... And what should NU do in order to ensure positive yards on 1st down? What will/should Stanford do to stop us? What should NU do to keep Stanford from running for 4 on 1st?

 

[The_Waterboy]

Shakes, you're showing how much you don't know about the field play aspects of the game of football...

High quality line play is essential. Control the LOS, and that team can control the pace and action of the game - on both O and D.

I haven't seen this year's version of O and D line so I will not speculate on their overall effectiveness. But you can take it to the bank, if there are regular, consistent "holes" or deficiencies in line play, then the whole structure of the action breaks down. Football is still a T-E-A-M game and without all parts working effectively and in unison, that's where the trouble begins.

Check the yardage stats for the running game especially. If JJ can get his motor running, then that's indicative of effective O-line play. If NU can control the Tree-Huggers' very good rushing attack, then Doc's troops will force the Stanford offensive brain trust put the game in the hands of their QB - making them one-dimensional. Do that and NU has the advantage.

 

[Deeringfish]

This key item to securing victory is crucial to any football team besting their opposition on any given Saturday; and is especially applicable for NU's grapple against the Stanford Timberlings commencing at 11:00 AM when Fitz and McCall roll-out a newbie QB for his first true taste of real Power-5 conference game-time speed and action -

For the 'Cats' O: Positive yards on 1st down
For the 'Cats' D: Holding the Tree-Huggers to 4 yards or less on 1st down.

If Clayton Thorson can maintain his composure and consistently deliver positive yardage on 1st down, then the 'Cats have a their best chance to maintain possession and sustain multiple 1st down drives in their bid to secure the "W". Without it, the 'Cat O will be DOA in short order. It's a very tough hump to jump for a newbie QB, but I trust in the coaching staff's decision to go with the untested Thorson as their QB of choice. If the O-line can keep Clayton upright and relatively grass stain-free, I like the 'Cats' chances at pulling-off the upset of the #21 Tree-Huggers.

If the running game can click at all we should do well with our deep stable of RBs. Fumbles will kill us.

 

[AtlantaCat]

Ok... And what should NU do in order to ensure positive yards on 1st down? What will/should Stanford do to stop us? What should NU do to keep Stanford from running for 4 on 1st?

Line play will determine the game. Period.