MnB Q&A with Inside NU

Submitted by Eye of the Tiger on

Thought this was pretty interesting. A few choice quotes:

1. Against Rudock, the Wildcats won't change their game plan: they'll hope to get pressure with their front four while allowing short yardage passes underneath and tackling consistently. Northwestern has been very good about not allowing people get behind the defense, and once the pass goes short, tackling has generally been solid.

2. [Quarterback] Thorson's biggest issues have been turnovers and short pass accuracy. But he's improving, and any Northwestern fan has to be optimistic for his future in the program. I would expect something like this from Thorson against a very good Michigan defense: 14-for-24, 155 yards, one touchdown, one interception.

3. I'm taking Northwestern, 16-13. There's something special about this team. They have a certain mental toughness that has been missing the past two seasons. At halftime, it's 10-7 in favor of Northwestern. Heading into the fourth, it's 13-10 and the Wolverines tie it up at 13 about midway through the quarter before Jack Mitchell (who's great in clutch situations and not quite as great in other situations) comes through with the game-winner. The Wildcats' luck finally changes on the back of another solid defensive performance.

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dipshit moron

October 8th, 2015 at 8:33 PM ^

quite sure that has been his prediction for every nw game he has watched in his young life. why is it so hard to just say, " the team i like and follow" i think they are going to win this week. why do people try to predict the exact future as if they have some special insight?

Joined: 07/04/2008

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not TOM BRADY

October 8th, 2015 at 8:48 PM ^

I just don't think a freshman QB in his first true road test is going to play well enough for them to score on us. This is also classic NW. They will look really good against okay teams in the non conference then just fall apart in big ten play.

Joined: 06/02/2012

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Perkis-Size Me

October 8th, 2015 at 8:48 PM ^

Northwestern is going to stack the box and dare Rudock to beat them with his arm, much like what every opposing defense has done against us the past few years. Unless Rudock can start hitting the deep ball, this game has the feel of 10-7 or 13-10 written all over it that could go to either team.



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kehnonymous

October 9th, 2015 at 12:05 PM ^

If Rudock hits the deep ball consistently, it's a blow out. 

If Kate Upton answers my booty call text message, then I'll be getting with her tonight.

As of right now, neither thing has transpired and in Rudock's case we have a burgeoning body of evidence that it won't happen.  I'd love to be wrong, but until otherwise proven... yeah.

Joined: 11/25/2011

MGoPoints: 33049

UMForLife

October 8th, 2015 at 8:57 PM ^

If they think they can beat M by allowing a Dink and Dunk offense, they are not that smart. Patriots offense is what M can do very well. If M is allowed to do that, NW can say goodbye to this game and it won't even be close. They have not seen a rush attack like this one yet. I am not sure why Stanford did not rush much. It is not like the game was out of reach. M will be rushing a lot. Smith in BEAST MODE will get enough yardage to keep the chain moving.

I have a hard time seeing a freshman QB to get a lot of yardage at the Big House.

Joined: 11/04/2013

MGoPoints: 63393

ReegsShannon

October 8th, 2015 at 10:07 PM ^

by the NU blogger:

 

"When the offensive line play holds up well, running backs have success. It's when Northwestern's defense wins the battle-- which has been the case most of the season-- when the Wildcats are especially adept at stopping the run. When the interior of the offensive line gets at least one person to the second level to engage in blocking Walker, running against Northwestern can be successful. When the defensive linemen occupy blockers and allow Walker to play downhill, however, it's very difficult to run because that's when Walker is at his best."

 

When the defensive line gets beat, people get yards. And when they don't, people don't get yards!

Joined: 02/01/2014

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SHub'68

October 8th, 2015 at 10:36 PM ^

when Smith runs for 6+ yards per carry, it's very difficult to keep Michigan from running the ball well.  And when Special Teams are special - when we pin them deep on punts and tackle the return man inside the ten, they will not get good return yards.  They will also have a lot of trouble making first downs when we get three-and-outs.

Joined: 09/29/2010

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CoverZero

October 8th, 2015 at 10:13 PM ^

Rudock is gonna have a Game vs. the spongy NU pass D.  He will put up 300 and 3 and Michigan will ROLL by 3 scores. 

You heard it here first.  Mark it down.

Joined: 08/30/2014

MGoPoints: 14571

trustBlue

October 9th, 2015 at 1:05 AM ^

Both teams sound remarkably similar.  Seems like NU fans have every reason to expect their defense to feast on our offense as much as we expect our defense to feast on theirs. 

The good news is that it sounds like UM may be able to eke out some yards on the ground, which is where I expect we'll spend most of our time.  I doubt Harbaugh will want to risk asking Rudock to challenge NU's DBs, as one bad turnover could be decisive.

NU also likes to run, but I think they will likely find that to be tough sledding all around.

I'll take a small edge in the running game + home field + Harbaugh for the win.

Joined: 04/14/2014

MGoPoints: 8211

charblue.

October 9th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^

So why would that happen tomorrow? And if you can't run, you can't go deep because your guys can't get separation and there's no time to throw, what are you left to do? Play the short passing game to link first downs and long drives. Even if you were good at that, how long do you think it lasts before the defense starts taking that away?

Look, it's about matchups and making plays. I just don't see their young quarterback outperforming Michigan's defense. And likewise, though I respect the Wildcat defense, how good will it be if it's on the field all afternoon.

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11420

Hill Street Blue

October 9th, 2015 at 2:16 AM ^

short passes are our speciality.  The M offense may be sluggish against a tough NU defense, but it will still score.  Perhaps this is the game where Peppers and the special teamers put some points on the board?

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