The epicenter of Northwestern sports on the web, Lake the Posts, was kind enough to stop by and educate us on his beloved Wildcats. LTP isn't optimistic heading into the weekend and I realize the last time a guest blogger stopped by to heap praise at the Buckeyes, we suffered through the stink-fest that was Purdue, but it can't happen twice, right?
First off, why six? Well, in the near century we've been playing the Buckeyes (1913 was the first game), we've only won six times against Ohio State at home. Six.
1. For Most of the Year LTP and Cats Fans are on the "respect" Crusade.
We're coming off ruining yet another homecoming at Minnesota, and despite elevating the program to where 6-6 is disappointing, we are very pragmatic when it comes to Ohio State. Our standard Wildcataganda! line to prove our point of competitive program is a two-bullet answer:
- After Ohio State and Michigan, NU has the most Big Ten championships since 1995.
- Only four teams have winning records against NU since 1995 - Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Purdue.
Then reality sets in and we face Ohio State. You are the lone team in the Big Ten that strikes fear of embarassment in NU fans. Cats fans actually believe we have a chance to win every single game we play. Except Ohio State. Last year was the first time I can remember NOT having the "oh my god, I hope we don't lose by 40" mentality. And you crushed us. No disrespect to the current NU staff and team, but as fans, we fear you.
2. We're Bummed About the Ohio Factor in this Game
Poor Tyrell Sutton. Our relentless Ohio born running back is out for the season and you'll remember last year he was out for the Ohio State game as well. As you can imagine, NU Ohio born players love to show their old state school what they missed. Now, freshman DE beast, Vince Browne is out for the regular season and he is a gamechanger. Guess we'll be relying on true freshman Jeremy Ebert to have the stick-it-to Ohio State factor.
3. The QB Debate
No one believes that both won't play. Fitz is saying he will start CJ if, and I stress "if" he is healthy. Kafka will surely see snaps. Most of us fear a platoon situation where we might as well just put a sign up for the Ohio State staff that says "run" (kafka) or "pass" (CJ). I truly believe to see some wrinkles that we haven't seen to throw Ohio State off, but none of us believe that Kafka will be able to simply beat your DEs around the end or cutback at will like he did against Minnesota. CJ has not improved from week-to-week and has NU fans continually hoping he'll avoid the big mistake. I just hope we don't outsmart ourselves with too much trickery. However, man for man you are quicker, more athletic and more talented, as always, so we have to create opportunities to win.
4. Quick Start Key
NU's achilles heel this season has been the 1st quarter. Our defense has been downright dominant in second halves of games and we've only given up 24 points all season in the fourth. The key will be similar to Minnesota and striking first. You could see the confidence build as we played our best quarter in the Pat Fitzgerald era. I wouldn't be surprised to see us take the ball first if we win the flip.
5. A New Look Defense
If there was ever a year where an assistant coach should win national coach of the year, this is it. Mike Hankwitz, whom Buckeye fans remember as the Wisconsin DC, is in year one at NU and has us ranked high in numerous defensive categories including scoring defense, sacks and TFLs. The "overnight" change has been dramatic and has given NU fans confidence that we won't be suffering the three year rebuild as this senior-dominated offense departs. Granted, Ohio State is actually ranked higher than NU in several of defensive areas, but the aggressive, attacking, hard-hitting style of play has us smiling.
6. Clinging to Pointless Stats
One of the few Tressel era hiccups is their performance after bye weeks. Combine that with the Big Ten's dismal bye week success rate this year and we're hoping a pointless statistic will magically have some type of impact on the game (Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Northwestern and Iowa have all lost after their bye weeks).
Comments
Well, you have nothing to fear from us this year. Any more than 20-point win for OSU and we'd be as shellshocked as you would be.
Do you mean 20 points as in we win by 20, or we actually score 20? Cause I'd be happy with the latter.
Yeah At this point, an offensive touchdown at all by OSU will be enough to send Buckeye fans in Columbus into 2002-esque riot mode.
But if the magical football fairy has a ticket to the game and sprinkles some "execution" dust on the OSU sidelines Beanie will rush for 600 yards, Pryor will complete 100% of his passes with 300 yards and rush for another 400, Saine and Rasta Wells will return all punts and kicks for TDs, the OL will realize "getting out of the way" is not part of a lineman's arsenal of moves, the DL will push NW into total negative offensive yards... oh, and AJ Trapasso punts the ball into Lake Michigan.
Ohio State puts the fear of god into NU? Was that a misprint? They know that AJ Hawk and Co. graduated right?!
Alright, this question goes out to any and all C-bus native warriors: A local alumni informed me that should I make my way from NY to OH, specifically C-bus, on Nov. 22, for this game against Michigan Community College, that if I were to post up at the Library, the bar not the learning place, that I would be able to find scalpers o-plenty to purchase tickets to my first game @ the 'Shoe. Any relevance to that statement?
You can always find tickets, your best bet is the VC though.
I'm planning on driving down from the rochester area myself for that game.
If you really want to go, buy upgraded student tickets, put some cash in a students pocket, and sit in the student sections. Nothing is like a michigan game from the student section, i should know, i went to 3 while i was an undergrad.
(run the math on that..)
Yeah that sounds good. I'd much rather sit with the students than with some old ass ppl telling me to sit down. well FUCK THAT....if I go my ass isnt touching the seat once. Plus I'd rather overpay a student that needs the $$$ than an opportunistic scalper. I would be heading from Albany so the train ride should be like 5-6 hrs. I think
I've been enjoying LTP for the greater majority of the season. NU is really doing some big things this season. A few more positive recruiting classes, and the Cats will add to the credibility of the big ten.
[...] has a mixture of hangovers and rain/cold for the early kickoff. Lake the Post was kind enough to stop by and tell us the Wildcats have only beaten the Buckeyes six times at home since they started play in [...]
ill take any kind of win this week. one point win, two point win, whatever. these low expectations are getting out of hound.
[...] Wildcats makes the rest of us look bad — ventured over to 11W and tried to assure fans that the Buckeyes put the fear of God in Northwestern fans. In general, the very thought of playing the Buckeyes has most Northwestern fans thinking that a [...]