The great thing about living five to eight time zones ahead of most of the rest of you is that I can read all of the threads written immediately after the game, while I am asleep, and reflect on them the next morning.
With that said, I think - as others have pointed out - that we now have a good chance to go 10-2 and play in a top-notch bowl game. I don't remember anyone predicting such a result when the season began ... A lot of us were worried about how badly we would lose to Stanford.
Yes, the offense has played pretty poorly at times this season, and I have questioned McCall's play calling on more than occasion. Thorson may not have progressed very well at QB, but the fact remains that we do not have anyone who is better. The receivers never seem to get separation, and on the rare occasion that they do, there's a decent chance they will drop the ball. And, Hank still insists on rushing only three in certain situations.
But, despite all that, our team is 9-2 with a very winnable final regular season game. Our defense is one of the best in the nation.
I cannot say whether McCall, Springer or anyone else should be sacked; I really do not know enough bout football to make that decision. What I do know is that I see no major upheaval forthcoming in a program that will have won at least 9 games against low expectations, and could possible win 11 and be ranked in the Top 10 following bowl season.
All I hope is that the defense can play as well next year despite the loss of Lowry, Van Hoose, Henry and others, and the the offense, led by JJ and with a more experienced Thorson, can improve. If that happens, we could contend for the Big Ten title next year.
With that said, I think - as others have pointed out - that we now have a good chance to go 10-2 and play in a top-notch bowl game. I don't remember anyone predicting such a result when the season began ... A lot of us were worried about how badly we would lose to Stanford.
Yes, the offense has played pretty poorly at times this season, and I have questioned McCall's play calling on more than occasion. Thorson may not have progressed very well at QB, but the fact remains that we do not have anyone who is better. The receivers never seem to get separation, and on the rare occasion that they do, there's a decent chance they will drop the ball. And, Hank still insists on rushing only three in certain situations.
But, despite all that, our team is 9-2 with a very winnable final regular season game. Our defense is one of the best in the nation.
I cannot say whether McCall, Springer or anyone else should be sacked; I really do not know enough bout football to make that decision. What I do know is that I see no major upheaval forthcoming in a program that will have won at least 9 games against low expectations, and could possible win 11 and be ranked in the Top 10 following bowl season.
All I hope is that the defense can play as well next year despite the loss of Lowry, Van Hoose, Henry and others, and the the offense, led by JJ and with a more experienced Thorson, can improve. If that happens, we could contend for the Big Ten title next year.
