Anyone know if there's a plausible alternative to Austin Jackson? I'm not a baseball expert by any means, but it seems to me whatever benefit we get from his legs is offset by his (recent, admittedly) offensive ineptitude.
The word is that Kain Colter is the second QB off the bench, not Watkins. In the early going they're actually calling him "QB 1b" -- I think he might have the start against BC in week one. Colter is an athlete, could be a RB or WR if his dreadful passing doesn't improve, though that's what people said about Persa prior to his breakout last season.
The NU concept of "superback" is bizzarre. Dunsmore is more like a hulking un-tackleable slot than a TE, Nagel is basically a fullback, and Rooks is a blocking only TE. Kind of. Dunsmore is a beast.
Among the LBs rumor is that Ben Johnson has been passed at SAM, I think by Proby.
At safety, freshman Ibraheim Campbell looks to play alongside Peters. He's alleged to be fast, which is not something you hear a lot when discussing the Wildcats.
Special teams: watch out for Venric Mark in the return game. He's a tiny burner who took one to the house vs Wisconsin last year. He may be more involved in the run game too, but that's just a guess.
It's the offense that needs new blood. At the end of the third quarter Persa was something like 11 of 15 passing, meanwhile his RBs were averaging about, oh, 3 YPC. Wtf?? If he were allowed to chuck it 40 times NU puts this game away. This was disgraceful.
Before you read too much into Saturday's gaffe-fest at Minny, remember that last year NU lost to the Gophers and, unbelievably, Syracuse... before winning at Iowa and at home against Wisconsin. The fact that the Wildcats won ugly despite three red zone turnovers is a novel and auspicious development.
Other factors to keep in mind:
Fitzgerald has been stubborn as hell trying to find a non-Persa based run game, but will be forced to revert to his typical pass happy playcalling in tough games. Persa's numbers are going to be astounding at least a few games this year.
TE/SB Drake Dunsmore is as scary and essential as Ebert, and was out for the second half vs. Minny. He's cleared to play against Purdue, so woot.
NU shot itself in the foot with penalties the last two weeks but if the past is a guide that is unlikely to be a problem going forward. Fitzgerald's teams are usually some of the least penalized in the league.
I think the Knowledge is right on at 6-2, but those two losses will still be competitive.
Iowa: home versus Penn State and Michigan State, at Michigan and Northwestern
Michigan: home versus Iowa and Michigan State, at Penn State, Northwestern off
Michigan State: at Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern and Penn State
Northwestern: home versus Iowa and Michigan State, at Penn State, Michigan off (also OSU off)
Penn State: home versus Michigan, Michigan State, and Northwestern, at Iowa
PSU @ Iowa: Iowa by 14 or so. Claybourn makes haggis out of Bolden's innards.
MSU @Iowa: Iowa hangs on.
Iowa @ UM: Iowa's RB corps has by this point been reduced to a walk-on border collie named Squiffy. MM fears no scatback, Denard throws for 350 and UM rolls by 21.
Iowa @NU: Shootout. Iowa wins in OT.
MSU @UM: RR breaks out some new tricks. This one gets ugly. 56-24 UM.
UM @PSU: UM, this one's close.
MSU @ NU: Persa's been held back in the OOC, as Fitz sought in vain a functional running back. The quest will be abandoned, and Persa will launch 45 or 50 passes, completing 45 or 50 of them against that Spartan back 4 that reminds me of that Python sketch called "Upper Class Twit of The Year Contest" except of course on the class front. NU by 20.
MSU @ PSU: The Twits handle the Haggis; ugly.
NU @ PSU: NU by a TD. The two best LBs in this game wear purple.
Bonus: Pryor is injured for at least three games, OSU dropping two of these. Results:
NU is in the midst of its annual September mystifying rough patch, but unlike past years (Syracuse '09) they found a way to win despite a clunker performance. Ask Badgers or Hawkeyes how sucky that team turned out. Then there's this: (and remember that Persa played only the first half vs Illinois State)
beavers are primarily nocturnal. I have no clue how good their eyesight is, but I doubt that even on a moonlit night they'd be able to rely on shadows.
One thought I had is that they may go by terrain slope, in that they're usually near a river, so the land is usually sloping toward the river, and so the tree is usually bending in that direction. But when you walk the rivers around here, you see trees they've brought down that have fallen away from the river, which is a big fuckup if you're aim is to build a dam.
I should probably stop thinking about this, but I don't know why I can't.
But no harm done. I posted this because the Beatles thing is genuinely interesting to me, and there are lots of beavers where I live. And it's the off season.
I actually think NU beats at least one of Wisconsin/PSU (probably PSU) but chokes against MSU or Minny.
And you're spot on about NU dropping a total clunker out of conference just about every year. It's maddening, and with this year's schedule there's no excuse.
The offense should be the best in the Big Ten, and that even feels weird for me to type. The weak link in last year's squad was at RB, but I think Arby Fields will step up. With that much experience on the OL and a running threat in Persa, he doesn't have to be Barry Sanders to get some yards.
I do worry about the defense though. You're right about our LBs but I fear that we're going to see how much McManis meant to our pass D. Maybin is OK but there's no way we're going to stop anyone with a pulse.
With the all the reads and misdirection in RR's game I'd say we should be recruiting from the improv world, rather than from among stand-ups. This guy is entering his 20th junior year at Dr. Phillips HS in Orlando, and I'd be shocked if we don't end up offering:
He's an inch taller than Rock, and imo has better lateral movement.
However, in the aftermath of the Dorsey signing there may be some reluctance among the coaching staff due to rumored character issues.
Recent Comments
When at Penn State they played
to a man they were flayed,
As by Ramsay or Roose
at the Dreadfort.
To the line Hoke did ride
27 times out of pride,
and got one yard each time
for his effort.
Anyone know if there's a plausible alternative to Austin Jackson? I'm not a baseball expert by any means, but it seems to me whatever benefit we get from his legs is offset by his (recent, admittedly) offensive ineptitude.
to be united with Chi Chi Ariguzo and Jeremy "Fried Ice Cream" Ebert.
The word is that Kain Colter is the second QB off the bench, not Watkins. In the early going they're actually calling him "QB 1b" -- I think he might have the start against BC in week one. Colter is an athlete, could be a RB or WR if his dreadful passing doesn't improve, though that's what people said about Persa prior to his breakout last season.
The NU concept of "superback" is bizzarre. Dunsmore is more like a hulking un-tackleable slot than a TE, Nagel is basically a fullback, and Rooks is a blocking only TE. Kind of. Dunsmore is a beast.
Among the LBs rumor is that Ben Johnson has been passed at SAM, I think by Proby.
At safety, freshman Ibraheim Campbell looks to play alongside Peters. He's alleged to be fast, which is not something you hear a lot when discussing the Wildcats.
Special teams: watch out for Venric Mark in the return game. He's a tiny burner who took one to the house vs Wisconsin last year. He may be more involved in the run game too, but that's just a guess.
The Rilo Kiley song, as great as it is, belongs to a past era. This year the tone should be less depressed, more blood thirsty. Ideas:
Okkervil River, "For Real":
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JDd4KezAFv8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Muse, "Stockholm Syndrome":
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XPYLIy3FWpk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Dirtbombs, "Underdog":
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1Ej7RY0taJA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Edit: I haven't been active in a long time, and somehow I forgot how to embed. Apologies.
http://bringyourchampionstheyreourmeat.blogspot.com/
It's not updated frequently, but it's frequently genius.
...because I've seen it all over the godamn place recently...
but you mean REGRESSING, not digressing.
Bonus: if you say "plus territory" to mean "in your opponents' side of the fifty" you should die.
It's the offense that needs new blood. At the end of the third quarter Persa was something like 11 of 15 passing, meanwhile his RBs were averaging about, oh, 3 YPC. Wtf?? If he were allowed to chuck it 40 times NU puts this game away. This was disgraceful.
I narc on my friends when they jay walk. It keeps them from becoming child molesters.
Michigan.
Before you read too much into Saturday's gaffe-fest at Minny, remember that last year NU lost to the Gophers and, unbelievably, Syracuse... before winning at Iowa and at home against Wisconsin. The fact that the Wildcats won ugly despite three red zone turnovers is a novel and auspicious development.
Other factors to keep in mind:
Fitzgerald has been stubborn as hell trying to find a non-Persa based run game, but will be forced to revert to his typical pass happy playcalling in tough games. Persa's numbers are going to be astounding at least a few games this year.
TE/SB Drake Dunsmore is as scary and essential as Ebert, and was out for the second half vs. Minny. He's cleared to play against Purdue, so woot.
NU shot itself in the foot with penalties the last two weeks but if the past is a guide that is unlikely to be a problem going forward. Fitzgerald's teams are usually some of the least penalized in the league.
I think the Knowledge is right on at 6-2, but those two losses will still be competitive.
Shouldn't the middle brother be wearing a CMU helmet?
Michigan wins, gets a defensive TD.
PSU @ Iowa: Iowa by 14 or so. Claybourn makes haggis out of Bolden's innards.
MSU @Iowa: Iowa hangs on.
Iowa @ UM: Iowa's RB corps has by this point been reduced to a walk-on border collie named Squiffy. MM fears no scatback, Denard throws for 350 and UM rolls by 21.
Iowa @NU: Shootout. Iowa wins in OT.
MSU @UM: RR breaks out some new tricks. This one gets ugly. 56-24 UM.
UM @PSU: UM, this one's close.
MSU @ NU: Persa's been held back in the OOC, as Fitz sought in vain a functional running back. The quest will be abandoned, and Persa will launch 45 or 50 passes, completing 45 or 50 of them against that Spartan back 4 that reminds me of that Python sketch called "Upper Class Twit of The Year Contest" except of course on the class front. NU by 20.
MSU @ PSU: The Twits handle the Haggis; ugly.
NU @ PSU: NU by a TD. The two best LBs in this game wear purple.
Bonus: Pryor is injured for at least three games, OSU dropping two of these. Results:
Michigan: 8-0
NU: 7-1
after that
who cares?
Michigan
223-0
NU is in the midst of its annual September mystifying rough patch, but unlike past years (Syracuse '09) they found a way to win despite a clunker performance. Ask Badgers or Hawkeyes how sucky that team turned out. Then there's this: (and remember that Persa played only the first half vs Illinois State)
3 sacks for RVB.
Crist knocked out in the 2nd.
Dileo returns a punt 20+ yards.
3 sacks for RVB.
Crist knocked out in the 2nd.
Dileo returns a punt 20+ yards.
have you read Philip Rothlisberger's Loyd Carr's Complaint? Pretty Good, a little crusty, definitely cleaner than his human stain.
Ian Goldfarb
Jibreel Schwarz
Antonio Whitefishsalad (what could have been???)
PS: mmmmmmmmm whitefish salad.
Tshimanga Rosenbiakabutukastein
Though as a Wildcatz fan I'd love just once to be laughed with rather than at.
Eagerly awaiting NIT bubble week,
Wildcatzblue
you're really bad at English. I understand that the MGoBlog community can get a tad triggerhappy when it comes to grammatical or spelling errors, but:
(you're on the left)
Dogs need simple, two or three syllable names. Just imagine:
"Hey boy! Hey boy! Hey httpmgoblogcommgoboardotmichigandognames! Drop it!
The '73 coup that brought down Allende was an act of war.
How do I know this?
emphathis added.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/search/cas/?query=mw4mw
NB: who said you couldn't penetrate the NYC market?
but I don't know who's doing PR for this guy:
/1000 words that prove that there is bad publicity.
beavers are primarily nocturnal. I have no clue how good their eyesight is, but I doubt that even on a moonlit night they'd be able to rely on shadows.
One thought I had is that they may go by terrain slope, in that they're usually near a river, so the land is usually sloping toward the river, and so the tree is usually bending in that direction. But when you walk the rivers around here, you see trees they've brought down that have fallen away from the river, which is a big fuckup if you're aim is to build a dam.
I should probably stop thinking about this, but I don't know why I can't.
I don't know why you can't play baseball in the rain.
I still enjoy the sport, but man up.
But no harm done. I posted this because the Beatles thing is genuinely interesting to me, and there are lots of beavers where I live. And it's the off season.
Sounds too gritty to me. Too few steps between him and toast.
I love the quote, and I'm pretty sure WW was joking. In fact, why not make
this your avatar?
is there any other kind? Of bureaucrat, I mean. Hookers come in all flavors.
You pick up 10 senators and their clout w/r/t research grants.
Sadly, there's no way UVA and MD are in play (for state political reasons) unless the ACC becomes obviously destabilized by SEC expansion.
Kafka.
I'm sure you meant Conelius.
Vandy - oops you already caught that one.
I actually think NU beats at least one of Wisconsin/PSU (probably PSU) but chokes against MSU or Minny.
And you're spot on about NU dropping a total clunker out of conference just about every year. It's maddening, and with this year's schedule there's no excuse.
The offense should be the best in the Big Ten, and that even feels weird for me to type. The weak link in last year's squad was at RB, but I think Arby Fields will step up. With that much experience on the OL and a running threat in Persa, he doesn't have to be Barry Sanders to get some yards.
I do worry about the defense though. You're right about our LBs but I fear that we're going to see how much McManis meant to our pass D. Maybin is OK but there's no way we're going to stop anyone with a pulse.
Thanks for a great article, Jamiemac!
Become familiar with your mute button. The vuvzela is a cheap untuned plastic horn played incessantly by every damn person in a South African stadium.
The sound: http://www.boogieblast.co.za/sound/PICT0114.WAV
An article: http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/28/world/fg-soccer-trumpet28
Which is great mostly because it contains the line:
At which point 93% of Buckeye Nation hits ctrl+w.
Is there an XBox in your kitchen? If so, why?
Makeup sex with a passionate British lady: priceless.
With the all the reads and misdirection in RR's game I'd say we should be recruiting from the improv world, rather than from among stand-ups. This guy is entering his 20th junior year at Dr. Phillips HS in Orlando, and I'd be shocked if we don't end up offering:
He's an inch taller than Rock, and imo has better lateral movement.
However, in the aftermath of the Dorsey signing there may be some reluctance among the coaching staff due to rumored character issues.
SPEAK UP!
If you must use 'Blue Nation'.
About which: please don't.
If you can goad him into one this evening I encourage you to do so.