Any Northwestern fans lurking around the boards?

#1
VolFan4Life87

VolFan4Life87

Negatron
Joined
Sep 8, 2012
Messages
5,899
Likes
4,116
#1
Just curious - I know usually around this time some fans of our upcoming bowl game opponent will trickle in on the boards for discussion. Any here?
 
#6
#6
I asked before and the whole thread got deleted, but can we please stop calling them Purple Vandy? Northwestern is a fantastic institution and it's childish and classless to refer to them as "Purple Vandy".

Of course, we failed at stopping whatever that stupid Alasami thing for Bama is, so I'm probably pushing for a worthless cause.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 16 people
#7
#7
151607398.0.jpg



I'm not feeling the enthusiasm from mister exclamation point. And "G" & "O" need to spend the off season in the weight room...they probably should have red shirted.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 29 people
#8
#8
orangeluvr said:
Let our team do the talking on the field. Cyber fights are just pissing contests.
Click to expand...

I didn't see anyone looking for a fight. I saw someone hoping to discuss football. Some opponents posters have actually brought some interesting views to the board before.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 18 people
#10
#10
VonVol said:
I didn't see anyone looking for a fight. I saw someone hoping to discuss football. Some opponents posters have actually brought some interesting views to the board before.
Click to expand...

More often than not discussions deteriorate into nasty discourses, so for those who enjoy a lively argument have fun ! The issue will be settled on the field.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#11
#11
orangeluvr said:
More often than not discussions deteriorate into nasty discourses, so for those who enjoy a lively argument have fun ! The issue will be settled on the field.
Click to expand...

I'm fairly certain most are aware where the actual gameplay takes place, save for a select few. But I would still like to hear what NU fans think of their team and/or ours.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#12
#12
volfanbill said:
I asked before and the whole thread got deleted, but can we please stop calling them Purple Vandy? Northwestern is a fantastic institution and it's childish and classless to refer to them as "Purple Vandy".

Of course, we failed at stopping whatever that stupid Alasami thing for Bama is, so I'm probably pushing for a worthless cause.
Click to expand...

Only one person calls Alabama Alasalami, and everyone else thinks it's absolutely stupid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 31 people
#14
#14
I would be interested to see if there are any NU fans on the board. I would like to read their opinion on the game and their thoughts on that article that was posted on SB the other day.

So if there are any NU fans come on and post. No harm. Just hoping for some good football talk. :hi:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#15
#15
I've been posting a lot on here. Basically how I see the game shaking out:

NU, unless something drastic changes, will not move the ball well. Their best bet for a victory is winning a game 21- whatever or less.

Their defense is very good, Anthony Walker was just named 2nd team All American by SI, and CB Nick Van Hoose got an honorable mention. Dobbs isn't going to light them up passing whatsoever. If UT gets their ground game going, which they very well might, that'll be how they win.

I'm predicting a score of 21-13ish UT. But those 21 points will be hard to come by. This defense is so, so much better than Iowa's of last year. If NU can get a pick 6 or shut down UT's run game to an extent, they very well could win, and if UT's players are guaranteeing a blowout like their fans are, NU will win as well. They play very sound, very disciplined defensively. No, they don't have the athletes UT does but they rely on smarts (not because their NU students) to win.

Everyone points to the Cats' two blowouts. They did get blown out, yes, but they also shut down Heisman finalist Christian McAffery. Stanford fans came over and said they were gonna outspeed us to death as well. That didn't happen, we were the faster team.
Speed obviously gives UT an advantage, but if they don't play disciplined offensively, NU will take full advantage of that.

Just my two cents. I think it's going to be a close game
 
  • Like
Reactions: 44 people
#16
#16
volfanbill said:
I asked before and the whole thread got deleted, but can we please stop calling them Purple Vandy? Northwestern is a fantastic institution and it's childish and classless to refer to them as "Purple Vandy".

Of course, we failed at stopping whatever that stupid Alasami thing for Bama is, so I'm probably pushing for a worthless cause.
Click to expand...

Guy, it's sports. It ain't supposed to be real life. It has nothing to do with how wonderful an institution it is.

It's like you're wanting this to be the ACC or something where the guys tie sweaters around their neck and drink white wine while tailgating. Then we walk into the stadium where there are 20,000 other people just like us who are watching Wake and BC. You know, places where 8-4 would cause us to drink TWO glasses of white wine while the sweater is tied around our necks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5 people
#18
#18
chicagocatfan24 said:
I've been posting a lot on here. Basically how I see the game shaking out:

NU, unless something drastic changes, will not move the ball well. Their best bet for a victory is winning a game 21- whatever or less.

Their defense is very good, Anthony Walker was just named 2nd team All American by SI, and CB Nick Van Hoose got an honorable mention. Dobbs isn't going to light them up passing whatsoever. If UT gets their ground game going, which they very well might, that'll be how they win.

I'm predicting a score of 21-13ish UT. But those 21 points will be hard to come by. This defense is so, so much better than Iowa's of last year. If NU can get a pick 6 or shut down UT's run game to an extent, they very well could win, and if UT's players are guaranteeing a blowout like their fans are, NU will win as well. They play very sound, very disciplined defensively. No, they don't have the athletes UT does but they rely on smarts (not because their NU students) to win.

Everyone points to the Cats' two blowouts. They did get blown out, yes, but they also shut down Heisman finalist Christian McAffery. Stanford fans came over and said they were gonna outspeed us to death as well. That didn't happen, we were the faster team.
Speed obviously gives UT an advantage, but if they don't play disciplined offensively, NU will take full advantage of that.

Just my two cents. I think it's going to be a close game
Click to expand...

How are they with mobile QB's? I don't see Dobbs lighting them up through the air either. Since he really doesn't do that very often regardless of opponent. But he can definitely change a game with his legs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#19
#19
VonVol said:
How are they with mobile QB's? I don't see Dobbs lighting them up through the air either. Since he really doesn't do that very often regardless of opponent. But he can definitely change a game with his legs.
Click to expand...

Sirk from Duke had 650 rush yards and 6 TDs this year and NU held him in check outside the first drive for the most part. That dude wasn't a very good QB but was built like a house and tried to run like a fullback. Not necessarily "fast" but a really good athlete.

Tommy Armstrong from UNL was the purest duel threat they faced, they picked him off a few times (he stinks IMO) but he only had 12 rushes for 35 yards as well.

Kevin Hogan from Stanford is duel-threatish, probably the most similar build to Dobbs, had 400+ yards rushing, but is a pass first QB. They completely shut him down in both facets of the game.

Of those three Hogan was obviously the best passer by far and away, he'll be a draft pick. Sirk a combo of the two, and Armstorng the best runner. None of them did much against NU. Dobbs will be their best test of a runner yet IMO
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 8 people
#20
#20
chicagocatfan24 said:
Sirk from Duke had 650 rush yards and 6 TDs this year and NU held him in check outside for the most part. That dude wasn't a very good QB but was built like a house and tried to run like a fullback. Not necessarily "fast" but a really good athlete.

Tommy Armstrong from UNL was the purest duel threat they faced, they picked him off a few times (he stinks IMO) but he only had 12 rushes for 35 yards as well.

Kevin Hogan from Stanford is duel-threatish, probably the most similar build to Dobbs, had 400+ yards rushing, but is a pass first QB. They completely shut him down in both facets of the game.

Of those three Hogan was obviously the best passer by far and away, he'll be a draft pick. Sirk a combo of the two, and Armstorng the best runner. None of them did much against NU. Dobbs will be their best test of a runner yet IMO
Click to expand...

Good info. Thanks for posting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#21
#21
chicagocatfan24 said:
Sirk from Duke had 650 rush yards and 6 TDs this year and NU held him in check outside the first drive for the most part. That dude wasn't a very good QB but was built like a house and tried to run like a fullback. Not necessarily "fast" but a really good athlete.

Tommy Armstrong from UNL was the purest duel threat they faced, they picked him off a few times (he stinks IMO) but he only had 12 rushes for 35 yards as well.

Kevin Hogan from Stanford is duel-threatish, probably the most similar build to Dobbs, had 400+ yards rushing, but is a pass first QB. They completely shut him down in both facets of the game.

Of those three Hogan was obviously the best passer by far and away, he'll be a draft pick. Sirk a combo of the two, and Armstorng the best runner. None of them did much against NU. Dobbs will be their best test of a runner yet IMO
Click to expand...

I didn't catch the Iowa or UM games. What led to the big scores there? Turnovers? Those obviously really stick out when looking at the schedule. They didn't give up many points aside from those two games.
 
#22
#22
chicagocatfan24 said:
I've been posting a lot on here. Basically how I see the game shaking out:

NU, unless something drastic changes, will not move the ball well. Their best bet for a victory is winning a game 21- whatever or less.

Their defense is very good, Anthony Walker was just named 2nd team All American by SI, and CB Nick Van Hoose got an honorable mention. Dobbs isn't going to light them up passing whatsoever. If UT gets their ground game going, which they very well might, that'll be how they win.

I'm predicting a score of 21-13ish UT. But those 21 points will be hard to come by. This defense is so, so much better than Iowa's of last year. If NU can get a pick 6 or shut down UT's run game to an extent, they very well could win, and if UT's players are guaranteeing a blowout like their fans are, NU will win as well. They play very sound, very disciplined defensively. No, they don't have the athletes UT does but they rely on smarts (not because their NU students) to win.

Everyone points to the Cats' two blowouts. They did get blown out, yes, but they also shut down Heisman finalist Christian McAffery. Stanford fans came over and said they were gonna outspeed us to death as well. That didn't happen, we were the faster team.
Speed obviously gives UT an advantage, but if they don't play disciplined offensively, NU will take full advantage of that.

Just my two cents. I think it's going to be a close game
Click to expand...

I've watched several of the 2015 Northwestern games on youtube this week. They dominated the Stanford game and some what controlled the Duke game to the extent it never felt like they were going to lose. The Michigan game was a beat down from the get go. Michigan returned the opening kickoff and never looked back.

I have noticed a few things:

1. Anthony Walker is a tackling machine and good linebacker overall, but does sometime get out of position.
2. NU's defense is much better and faster than Iowa's last year so unfortunately it's not going to look like they are in slow motion.
3. They basically run the same offense that we do, but with less talented players, but the running back is very good and the QB probably runs a solid 4.6 40 time and has had several long runs over the year (kind of like a bigger/faster version of Conner Shaw with slightly less passing skills). The offensive line does a good job in the run game, but the passing game is lacking. Better than Vandy or Missouri, but still lacking. Every game the QB seemed to make 2-3 difficult throws look fairly easy so if the secondary gets out of position he does sometimes make big throws.
4. The kicker doesn't normally kick it very deep into the end zone so Evan Berry should have an opportunity every kickoff which hopefully isn't many.
5. I do not expect them to score more than 20 on our defense.

My predictions:

Evan Berry returns a KO for a TD and breaks the record. The game is close at halftime with Tennessee winning 31-20.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#23
#23
Iowa the NU offense was a 3 and out machine in the second half. It was only 14-10 at halftime cuz of an Iowa pick 6. Second half the defense was on the field non stop and they eventually got worn out and badly.

UM there was a pick 6, return touchdown and late touchdown when Fitz pulled out the first team. That game was ridiculously ugly in all facets. Defense didn't play as poorly as the score indicates, but they still played bad.
 
#24
#24
chicagocatfan24 said:
I've been posting a lot on here. Basically how I see the game shaking out:

NU, unless something drastic changes, will not move the ball well. Their best bet for a victory is winning a game 21- whatever or less.

Their defense is very good, Anthony Walker was just named 2nd team All American by SI, and CB Nick Van Hoose got an honorable mention. Dobbs isn't going to light them up passing whatsoever. If UT gets their ground game going, which they very well might, that'll be how they win.

I'm predicting a score of 21-13ish UT. But those 21 points will be hard to come by. This defense is so, so much better than Iowa's of last year. If NU can get a pick 6 or shut down UT's run game to an extent, they very well could win, and if UT's players are guaranteeing a blowout like their fans are, NU will win as well. They play very sound, very disciplined defensively. No, they don't have the athletes UT does but they rely on smarts (not because their NU students) to win.

Everyone points to the Cats' two blowouts. They did get blown out, yes, but they also shut down Heisman finalist Christian McAffery. Stanford fans came over and said they were gonna outspeed us to death as well. That didn't happen, we were the faster team.
Speed obviously gives UT an advantage, but if they don't play disciplined offensively, NU will take full advantage of that.

Just my two cents. I think it's going to be a close game
Click to expand...

NU would do well to QB spy with regularity. There are design run plays for Dobbs but most of his big run plays have occurred when the pocket collapses or receivers are covered up, leaving a running lane open for him. Make him beat you with his arm and come out with a nickel package to try and cover the swing passes to Kamara (he's super quick). Finally, pray that the DL can stop Hurd because if you've got smaller quick guys in the secondary and Hurd makes it to the second level, it will be difficult to bring him down before he grabs extra yardage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#25
#25
VolFan4Life87 said:
NU would do well to QB spy with regularity. There are design run plays for Dobbs but most of his big run plays have occurred when the pocket collapses or receivers are covered up, leaving a running lane open for him. Make him beat you with his arm and come out with a nickel package to try and cover the swing passes to Kamara (he's super quick). Finally, pray that the DL can stop Hurd because if you've got smaller quick guys in the secondary and Hurd makes it to the second level, it will be difficult to bring him down before he grabs extra yardage.
Click to expand...

I'm by far and away most worried about Hurd. Walker, NU's MLB was 1st team all B1G and SI just named him 2nd team all american. He's great, but his Achilles heel is running right at him. Sideline to sideline he's great.

Lowry, NU's best d-end, is going to have to bring his A game. He's not a great pass rusher, just adequate, but he's excellent against the run. 6'6'', 290. He's going to have to be the one that shuts down Hurd IMO. He crashes down the line great on run plays. I don't know anything about Kamara so I won't comment.

Whole key for NU is to get UT into 3rd and longs and make Hurd throw. I know he's not a bad passer, but he's not a great one either and NU has to force turnovers. That's their best shot at winning
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top