Why the Wildcats will be better in 2022!

[NUDefense]

The Wildcats will be better in 2022 because:

OFFENSE:
1) OL - They will be one year more bulked up and experienced. Last year a lot of young guys got reps due to injuries. Return of Ethan W. is huge. Look for this unit to get the running game going.
2) RB - We have multiple great and good backs who are gonna rotate and get yards on the ground.
3) QB - Having Brendan Sullivan as starter / switch will result in incredible athleticism at the position. Hunter was No. 1/2 QB as a recruit in the nation due to his arm strength and athleticism, but Brendan Sullivan's athleticism is at a different level. Look for the chains to move with him in there. Ryan Hilinski was still adapting to the system last year and this year should be more comfortable and his game would have matured after last year's experience.
4) WR - Losing S.Robinson is huge but I think the overall unit would be more matured (There's M.Washington, B.Kirtz, Safe to expect 1 out of these 2 to do well - C.JohnsonII, R.Fluerima.....Safe to expect at least 1 out of these 4 to be productive - G.HooperPrice, W.Dennis, J.Gill, D.Gray). With the above 3 units doing better, we can expect less pressure on the WRs.

Overall Offense - IMPROVED

DEFENSE
1) DL - While the DL looked stronger on paper last year (especially the transfers), I feel the bottom line is that the DL was not good last year and the coaches understood the shortcomings and were in a better position to address the issue (run D) this year. I expect they have brought in the transfers keeping this in mind and with year 2 of the JON defense, I don't feel this unit will fare worse than last year's.
2) LB - Whole unit should improve and I think they can overcome the loss of C.Bergin.
3) DB - With a separate coach and overall unit maturity and some good talent, we should be similar or better than last year.

Overall Defense - IMPROVED.

 

[DaCat]

Let's hope.

 

[cedricmelons]

Defense can't be any worse than last year.

Wish I could say the same about the offense, but we have recently seen even worse than the 2021 season...

 

[NUCat320]

The Wildcats will be better in 2022 because:

OFFENSE:
1) OL - They will be one year more bulked up and experienced. Last year a lot of young guys got reps due to injuries. Return of Ethan W. is huge. Look for this unit to get the running game going.
2) RB - We have multiple great and good backs who are gonna rotate and get yards on the ground.
3) QB - Having Brendan Sullivan as starter / switch will result in incredible athleticism at the position. Hunter was No. 1/2 QB as a recruit in the nation due to his arm strength and athleticism, but Brendan Sullivan's athleticism is at a different level. Look for the chains to move with him in there. Ryan Hilinski was still adapting to the system last year and this year should be more comfortable and his game would have matured after last year's experience.
4) WR - Losing S.Robinson is huge but I think the overall unit would be more matured (There's M.Washington, B.Kirtz, Safe to expect 1 out of these 2 to do well - C.JohnsonII, R.Fluerima.....Safe to expect at least 1 out of these 4 to be productive - G.HooperPrice, W.Dennis, J.Gill, D.Gray). With the above 3 units doing better, we can expect less pressure on the WRs.

Overall Offense - IMPROVED

DEFENSE
1) DL - While the DL looked stronger on paper last year (especially the transfers), I feel the bottom line is that the DL was not good last year and the coaches understood the shortcomings and were in a better position to address the issue (run D) this year. I expect they have brought in the transfers keeping this in mind and with year 2 of the JON defense, I don't feel this unit will fare worse than last year's.
2) LB - Whole unit should improve and I think they can overcome the loss of C.Bergin.
3) DB - With a separate coach and overall unit maturity and some good talent, we should be similar or better than last year.

Overall Defense - IMPROVED.

Are you
a) a fan of Northwestern University defense ,
b) a past player or coach of Northwestern University football defense,
c) a current player or coach involved with Northwestern defense, or
d) simply here to defend Northwestern University football?

I am not planning my fall Saturdays around NU football, though there exists a chance that I might attend the Miami thriller in September!

 

[phatcat]

Are you
a) a fan of Northwestern University defense ,
b) a past player or coach of Northwestern University football defense,
c) a current player or coach involved with Northwestern defense, or
d) simply here to defend Northwestern University football?

I am not planning my fall Saturdays around NU football, though there exists a chance that I might attend the Miami thriller in September!

OP feels like yet another iteration of wrestler. Although s/he uses far fewer exclamation points.

The only "improvement" in which I'm confident is kicker. The other units are sus

 

[stpaulcat]

Are you
a) a fan of Northwestern University defense ,
b) a past player or coach of Northwestern University football defense,
c) a current player or coach involved with Northwestern defense, or
d) simply here to defend Northwestern University football?

I am not planning my fall Saturdays around NU football, though there exists a chance that I might attend the Miami thriller in September!

"This post brought to you by The Northwestern University Athletic Department, Football Marketing division."

It is plausible and hopefully will play out.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

The Wildcats will be better in 2022 because:

OFFENSE:
1) OL - They will be one year more bulked up and experienced. Last year a lot of young guys got reps due to injuries. Return of Ethan W. is huge. Look for this unit to get the running game going.
2) RB - We have multiple great and good backs who are gonna rotate and get yards on the ground.
3) QB - Having Brendan Sullivan as starter / switch will result in incredible athleticism at the position. Hunter was No. 1/2 QB as a recruit in the nation due to his arm strength and athleticism, but Brendan Sullivan's athleticism is at a different level. Look for the chains to move with him in there. Ryan Hilinski was still adapting to the system last year and this year should be more comfortable and his game would have matured after last year's experience.
4) WR - Losing S.Robinson is huge but I think the overall unit would be more matured (There's M.Washington, B.Kirtz, Safe to expect 1 out of these 2 to do well - C.JohnsonII, R.Fluerima.....Safe to expect at least 1 out of these 4 to be productive - G.HooperPrice, W.Dennis, J.Gill, D.Gray). With the above 3 units doing better, we can expect less pressure on the WRs.

Overall Offense - IMPROVED

DEFENSE
1) DL - While the DL looked stronger on paper last year (especially the transfers), I feel the bottom line is that the DL was not good last year and the coaches understood the shortcomings and were in a better position to address the issue (run D) this year. I expect they have brought in the transfers keeping this in mind and with year 2 of the JON defense, I don't feel this unit will fare worse than last year's.
2) LB - Whole unit should improve and I think they can overcome the loss of C.Bergin.
3) DB - With a separate coach and overall unit maturity and some good talent, we should be similar or better than last year.

Overall Defense - IMPROVED.

“Better” feels more plausibly like 5 wins than 9. True, technically yes. Comforting, not really.

 

[Figrating]

 

[wicker]

Things will be better
Both D and O to improve
In two oh two two

You heard it here first.
OP gives thoughtful breakdown
Proof is in pudding

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Plain statistics: the last half decade, and really longer than that, most of Fitz' tenure, have demonstrated that trying to forecast NU's record for an upcoming season is extremely difficult, and seemingly increasingly so. There was no good reason for them to have recovered from 2019 in 2020 with a division win, and zero reason to anticipate last year's result. Hell, 4-5 weeks in the 2018 season there was zero rational reason to project the Cats being in Indy. THe examples go on and on.

Thus, the safest expectation is to hedge heavily towards the long term trend, which is somewhere in the middle. Any additional calculations projecting NU based on normal factors like players, returning players, etc., should be done based on adjusting from this starting point.

tl;dr, if you just guess like 7 wins every year you're probably going to average being the most right.

 

[phatcat]

I have to go to a conference in Vegas, and am willing to take the under on the Cats but have no idea how it works. Where do you go? Any casino? and if so, is there some obvious sports betting area? Once I leave and go back home, do I have to go all the way back to the casino to collect when we end up under? Also I have numerous foreign currencies from previous overseas trips, will they accept/exchange it? Good way to get rid of it.

 

[IGNORE2]

I have to go to a conference in Vegas, and am willing to take the under on the Cats but have no idea how it works. Where do you go? Any casino? and if so, is there some obvious sports betting area? Once I leave and go back home, do I have to go all the way back to the casino to collect when we end up under? Also I have numerous foreign currencies from previous overseas trips, will they accept/exchange it? Good way to get rid of it.

Sports book if you find one covering NUFB futures. Best bets are ceasar or wynn

 

[FeralFelidae]

Plain statistics: the last half decade, and really longer than that, most of Fitz' tenure, have demonstrated that trying to forecast NU's record for an upcoming season is extremely difficult, and seemingly increasingly so. There was no good reason for them to have recovered from 2019 in 2020 with a division win, and zero reason to anticipate last year's result. Hell, 4-5 weeks in the 2018 season there was zero rational reason to project the Cats being in Indy. THe examples go on and on.

These wild swings are indicative of an unstable system.

 

[stpaulcat]

Things will be better
Both D and O to improve
In two oh two two

You heard it here first.
OP gives thoughtful breakdown
Proof is in pudding

Pudding? Isn't that what we had last year?

 

[phatcat]

Sports book if you find one covering NUFB futures. Best bets are ceasar or wynn

Thanks - how do you collect remotely, then? I am not a fan of Vegas, and I certainly wouldn't make a special trip there just to collect a few hundred.

 

[NUCat320]

Thanks - how do you collect remotely, then? I am not a fan of Vegas, and I certainly wouldn't make a special trip there just to collect a few hundred.

If you were in the right state, you’d be told exactly how every four minutes or so, AND WITH BONUSES IF ANY TEAM COMPLETES A PASS!

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Thanks - how do you collect remotely, then? I am not a fan of Vegas, and I certainly wouldn't make a special trip there just to collect a few hundred.

You unusually cannot

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

You unusually cannot

Pretty sure you can mail it and collect. At least you used to be able to do it.

 

[IGNORE2]

Thanks - how do you collect remotely, then? I am not a fan of Vegas, and I certainly wouldn't make a special trip there just to collect a few hundred.

I prefer to just go back - tickets good for a year or two. But in theory, you can send by certified mail w self addressed stamped return envelope. Probably more instructions but they are readily available either on the back of your ticket or their website.

 

[phatcat]

I prefer to just go back - tickets good for a year or two. But in theory, you can send by certified mail w self addressed stamped return envelope. Probably more instructions but they are readily available either on the back of your ticket or their website.

Thanks - that helps. I can't imagine going back. Vegas and Florida are two places I avoid when possible. I don't like heat or glitz. I've moved a lot (10 states) but tend to be along the I-80/76 corridor. Suits me fine. Currently Idaho, next likely/final stop, Wisconsin

 

[IGNORE2]

Thanks - that helps. I can't imagine going back. Vegas and Florida are two places I avoid when possible. I don't like heat or glitz. I've moved a lot (10 states) but tend to be along the I-80/76 corridor. Suits me fine. Currently Idaho, next likely/final stop, Wisconsin

Brrrrrrr - no wonder you chose NU Stanford and Duke were way to hot.

Personally, I’m hoping for a final destination in the South Pacific someday.

 

[stpaulcat]

Brrrrrrr - no wonder you chose NU Stanford and Duke were way to hot.

Personally, I’m hoping for a final destination in the South Pacific someday.

I hear Iwo Jima is nice this time of year. It might be sooner than you think. You can dive from the USS Suribachi.

 

[StreamCat]

I hear Iwo Jima is nice this time of year. It might be sooner than you think. You can dive from the USS Suribachi.

My uncle didn’t care for Iwo Jima. The residents weren’t very welcoming.

 

[stpaulcat]

My uncle didn’t care for Iwo Jima. The residents weren’t very welcoming.

That was exactly my point.

 

[WaveJumper]

My uncle didn’t care for Iwo Jima. The residents weren’t very welcoming.

Much respect for your uncle! When I was in, I met many WW II vets. They were, to say the least, extremely impressive.

 

[StreamCat]

That was exactly my point.

I know. 😄
I just thought I’d emphasize it with a little anecdote.

 

[StreamCat]

Much respect for your uncle! When I was in, I met many WW II vets. They were, to say the least, extremely impressive.

My father became a Marine shortly after the war. His duty, while interesting, never involved any danger. My uncle, who was wounded twice in the Pacific, always called my dad The Veteran. My dad got such a kick out of that.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

My father became a Marine shortly after the war. His duty, while interesting, never involved any danger. My uncle, who was wounded twice in the Pacific, always called my dad The Veteran. My dad got such a kick out of that.

Increasingly off topic, but some of the stuff Marines did in the pacific was bonkers. So you’re telling me we’re going to wade through 3-4 feet of water on a rocky, sharp reaf, literally in the middle of the ocean, 1000 yards from a tiny strip of land, while machine guns shoot at us? Just completely nuts.

 

[stpaulcat]

Increasingly off topic, but some of the stuff Marines did in the pacific was bonkers. So you’re telling me we’re going to wade through 3-4 feet of water on a rocky, sharp reaf, literally in the middle of the ocean, 1000 yards from a tiny strip of land, while machine guns shoot at us? Just completely nuts.

It's not off topic at all. Follow the thread. War may be nuts, but they did it, and here we are at the beginning of WWIII. You think that was nuts, just wait. You may be in for a surprise.

 

[WaveJumper]

Increasingly off topic, but some of the stuff Marines did in the pacific was bonkers. So you’re telling me we’re going to wade through 3-4 feet of water on a rocky, sharp reaf, literally in the middle of the ocean, 1000 yards from a tiny strip of land, while machine guns shoot at us? Just completely nuts.

I also got to know Marines who fought at Tarawa. The ones who fought both at Iwo Jima and Tarawa thought Tarawa was much worse. When I reach in my pocket I find cotton, when they reach in their pocket they find brass.

 

[epicbret]

Increasingly off topic, but some of the stuff Marines did in the pacific was bonkers. So you’re telling me we’re going to wade through 3-4 feet of water on a rocky, sharp reaf, literally in the middle of the ocean, 1000 yards from a tiny strip of land, while machine guns shoot at us? Just completely nuts.

You left out half the time they were being landed in boats not suited for landing in reefs and cays. So they sunk...

 

[AdamOnFirst]

I also got to know Marines who fought at Tarawa. The ones who fought both at Iwo Jima and Tarawa thought Tarawa was much worse. When I reach in my pocket I find cotton, when they reach in their pocket they find brass.

I was pretty much talking about Tarawa, which is just beyond surreal.

 

[WaveJumper]

Yes, I know. At the time, it was the first time American movie audiences were shown the real staggering carnage of Tarawa. People were shocked.

 

[Gladeskat]

Many of those amphibious landings were friendly fire fiascos as well. Lots of unexploded US artillery shells were pulled out of American bodies in the Pacific. That was one of my dad's tasks in WWII. His war stories were rare and brief when he told them.

 

[DaCat]

There was no good reason for them to have recovered from 2019 in 2020 with a division win

Yes there was. As soon as we landed Peyton Ramsey as a transfer, I and some others here were hopeful that he would take us back to Indy, and he did. The main reason we were bad in 2019 was no one could replace Thorson after he graduated. Ramsey took care of that in 2020.

2022 is different because 1) JON rather than Hank leading the defense, 2) no returning Irish law firm, 3) no apparent impact QB like Peyton Ramsey (yet), 4) no Greg Newsome type of talent.

If we can miraculously turn the worst defense in the B1G to even a serviceable, middle-of-the pack defense, that would be a good start. The offense has to get its act together to help out the defense. I think our OL will be much improved, but needs to stay healthy. Hilinski has to make a big jump, he was not a good QB last year. In fact, looking back he was our 3rd string QB to start the season behind Hunter and Marty, and when he got his chance, he was underwhelming. Our RB room is solid, and could be really good - Porter, Hull, Clair, Tyus. WR room could be slightly improved even after lost Robinson. Again I think the swing factor for the season will be QB play.

 

[CatChatAR]

The Wildcats will be better in 2022 because:

OFFENSE:
1) OL - They will be one year more bulked up and experienced. Last year a lot of young guys got reps due to injuries. Return of Ethan W. is huge. Look for this unit to get the running game going.
2) RB - We have multiple great and good backs who are gonna rotate and get yards on the ground.
3) QB - Having Brendan Sullivan as starter / switch will result in incredible athleticism at the position. Hunter was No. 1/2 QB as a recruit in the nation due to his arm strength and athleticism, but Brendan Sullivan's athleticism is at a different level. Look for the chains to move with him in there. Ryan Hilinski was still adapting to the system last year and this year should be more comfortable and his game would have matured after last year's experience.
4) WR - Losing S.Robinson is huge but I think the overall unit would be more matured (There's M.Washington, B.Kirtz, Safe to expect 1 out of these 2 to do well - C.JohnsonII, R.Fluerima.....Safe to expect at least 1 out of these 4 to be productive - G.HooperPrice, W.Dennis, J.Gill, D.Gray). With the above 3 units doing better, we can expect less pressure on the WRs.

Overall Offense - IMPROVED

DEFENSE
1) DL - While the DL looked stronger on paper last year (especially the transfers), I feel the bottom line is that the DL was not good last year and the coaches understood the shortcomings and were in a better position to address the issue (run D) this year. I expect they have brought in the transfers keeping this in mind and with year 2 of the JON defense, I don't feel this unit will fare worse than last year's.
2) LB - Whole unit should improve and I think they can overcome the loss of C.Bergin.
3) DB - With a separate coach and overall unit maturity and some good talent, we should be similar or better than last year.

Overall Defense - IMPROVED.

Ok, I'm really down for this to be SPOT ON. Can we talk LBs by name...who do you think is the upgrade here? Has anyone heard anything?

 

[TheC]

Yes there was. As soon as we landed Peyton Ramsey as a transfer, I and some others here were hopeful that he would take us back to Indy, and he did. The main reason we were bad in 2019 was no one could replace Thorson after he graduated. Ramsey took care of that in 2020.

2022 is different because 1) JON rather than Hank leading the defense, 2) no returning Irish law firm, 3) no apparent impact QB like Peyton Ramsey (yet), 4) no Greg Newsome type of talent.

If we can miraculously turn the worst defense in the B1G to even a serviceable, middle-of-the pack defense, that would be a good start. The offense has to get its act together to help out the defense. I think our OL will be much improved, but needs to stay healthy. Hilinski has to make a big jump, he was not a good QB last year. In fact, looking back he was our 3rd string QB to start the season behind Hunter and Marty, and when he got his chance, he was underwhelming. Our RB room is solid, and could be really good - Porter, Hull, Clair, Tyus. WR room could be slightly improved even after lost Robinson. Again I think the swing factor for the season will be QB play.

Yeah... this team is not heading back to Indy, but that's ok. That doesn't need to be the goal. I'd like for us to be in contention for a bowl game. I think that would be a successful season.

 

[stpaulcat]

Ok, I'm really down for this to be SPOT ON. Can we talk LBs by name...who do you think is the upgrade here? Has anyone heard anything?

Heard anything. Can we get back to you late in the day on August 21th?

 

[stpaulcat]

Yeah... this team is not heading back to Indy, but that's ok. That doesn't need to be the goal. I'd like for us to be in contention for a bowl game. I think that would be a successful season.

I wouldn't call it successful, more like tolerable. Relatively speaking, though, successful compared to last season.

 

[CatChatAR]

I wouldn't call it successful, more like tolerable. Relatively speaking, though, successful compared to last season.

I would take some close games where we we look good for stretches. Seriously, competitive games would do it for me. It is hard to watch the beatdowns that took place last season and think, we are just down by 14, there is a lot time left...