Northwestern, Team 119, Close Games, and the FPI

[StarRaider]

Coach Fitz's face after Hurd runs for a buck fitty and two TD's.

Hurd Kam and Dobbs gonna go for about treefiddy.

 

[Jax_Vol]

When someone has a big lead against you, you have no choice but to throw.



I watched most or all of Ball State, Duke, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, and Iowa. I watched a portion of Stanford and Illinois.

I saw absolutely no evidence of what you claim vs Ball State. A very bad team took NU to the wire. Ball St had a half time lead and was within one score for most of the 2nd half.

I saw no domination vs UW. You really can't judge much from a frozen field game where both teams barely break 200 yds of total O.

Nebraska should have beaten NU. They gained more yardage but made more mistakes.

Sorry but NU didn't give up on the run vs Iowa or Mich. They took it away. NU had 26 and 25 rush attempts respectively... and avg'd under 2 ypc. Your pass O was under 50% completions AND under 150 yds in 8 of your 12 games.

Those games didn't "get away". NU was outclassed by much better teams.

The Outback 'Class & Azz' Bowl

 

[JustGary]

When someone has a big lead against you, you have no choice but to throw.



I watched most or all of Ball State, Duke, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, and Iowa. I watched a portion of Stanford and Illinois.

I saw absolutely no evidence of what you claim vs Ball State. A very bad team took NU to the wire. Ball St had a half time lead and was within one score for most of the 2nd half.

I saw no domination vs UW. You really can't judge much from a frozen field game where both teams barely break 200 yds of total O.

Nebraska should have beaten NU. They gained more yardage but made more mistakes.

Sorry but NU didn't give up on the run vs Iowa or Mich. They took it away. NU had 26 and 25 rush attempts respectively... and avg'd under 2 ypc. Your pass O was under 50% completions AND under 150 yds in 8 of your 12 games.

Those games didn't "get away". NU was outclassed by much better teams.

LOL, we all look at the games differently. I obviously have purple glasses on. I did attend all 12 games in person and then review them on tape. You could say they could have loss 3-4 of those games.

 

[sjt18]

LOL, we all look at the games differently. I obviously have purple glasses on. I did attend all 12 games in person and then review them on tape. You could say they could have loss 3-4 of those games.

Watched the Illinois game tonight. Another bad team that was competitive with NU... and probably should have won if not for a drop on a gimme INT.

Only someone with purple glasses so opaque that you can't see through them could see the Michigan and Iowa games as anything but beat downs.

 

[Paper_Towel]

LOL, we all look at the games differently. I obviously have purple glasses on. I did attend all 12 games in person and then review them on tape. You could say they could have loss 3-4 of those games.

Gary?

 

[JustGary]

Watched the Illinois game tonight. Another bad team that was competitive with NU... and probably should have won if not for a drop on a gimme INT.

Only someone with purple glasses so opaque that you can't see through them could see the Michigan and Iowa games as anything but beat downs.

I know you don't know me and you want to put me down as someone who knows nothing about football. That is your choice. I don't claim our team is the greatest team on earth. I know we can get blown out of a game (Iowa, Michigan). I also know we can go toe-to-toe and win (Stanford, Wisconsin). It is easy to criticize every game by every team. The committee looked at the games and ranked us #13. I don't think they did that because of our reputation. They analyzed and looked at the tapes and they know football. I assume they don't have purple glasses. We play ugly. It looks horrible. I hear a lot of "the other team should have won" but the fact is, they did not and in the end that is what counts.

I came over to help UT fans watch our team and not to say something stupid like "we are superior" or "we're gonna kick your ass". If the team doesn't play like I say, then I guess I am wrong. I enjoy the game of football and not the bull bravado played out by adult fans watching kids play. You can continue that if you wish.

 

[delfonic]

I came over to help UT fans watch our team and not to say something stupid like "we are superior" or "we're gonna kick your ass". If the team doesn't play like I say, then I guess I am wrong. I enjoy the game of football and not the bull bravado played out by adult fans watching kids play. You can continue that if you wish.

Just to be clear here I can play out bull bravado with or without your permission. That's how Tennessee fans roll.

Seriously, thanks for the meaningful evaluations and opinions. It is my most sincere hope a healthy Northwestern team loses by 8 touchdowns.

 

[sjt18]

I know you don't know me and you want to put me down as someone who knows nothing about football. That is your choice. I don't claim our team is the greatest team on earth. I know we can get blown out of a game (Iowa, Michigan). I also know we can go toe-to-toe and win (Stanford, Wisconsin). It is easy to criticize every game by every team. The committee looked at the games and ranked us #13. I don't think they did that because of our reputation. They analyzed and looked at the tapes and they know football. I assume they don't have purple glasses. We play ugly. It looks horrible. I hear a lot of "the other team should have won" but the fact is, they did not and in the end that is what counts.

I came over to help UT fans watch our team and not to say something stupid like "we are superior" or "we're gonna kick your ass". If the team doesn't play like I say, then I guess I am wrong. I enjoy the game of football and not the bull bravado played out by adult fans watching kids play. You can continue that if you wish.

Who questioned your football knowledge? Fans including me struggle to be objective about their own team.

I enjoy football. Frankly, if I wasn't somewhat of a purist then I'd struggle to watch NU. They're kind of boring.

I'm not saying that NU can't win. I will say that they shouldn't. UT has better players. They're bigger, faster, stronger, more physical, and quicker. I'm not boasting. I am making an objective claim. It would be welcomed, not rejected, if you jousted a little if you don't believe that to be true.

There are some parallels to be drawn by looking at past opponents. But there are some gaps and particularly when we try to match NU up to UT. You have not faced a good running QB this year. I haven't seen anyone except maybe Nebraska that even asks their QB to be part of their rushing attack. Dobbs is the #14 rusher in the SEC. UT has 3 guys in the top 14.

Your guys aren't particularly fast or quick compared to the teams UT has played. It will be difficult for them to stop UT's run schemes.

On D, I would just ask you to do this when you have some idle time. Watch a couple of games and focus on Lowry. Then watch a couple of UT games and focus on Barnett.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

I know you don't know me and you want to put me down as someone who knows nothing about football. That is your choice. I don't claim our team is the greatest team on earth. I know we can get blown out of a game (Iowa, Michigan). I also know we can go toe-to-toe and win (Stanford, Wisconsin). It is easy to criticize every game by every team. The committee looked at the games and ranked us #13. I don't think they did that because of our reputation. They analyzed and looked at the tapes and they know football. I assume they don't have purple glasses. We play ugly. It looks horrible. I hear a lot of "the other team should have won" but the fact is, they did not and in the end that is what counts.

I came over to help UT fans watch our team and not to say something stupid like "we are superior" or "we're gonna kick your ass". If the team doesn't play like I say, then I guess I am wrong. I enjoy the game of football and not the bull bravado played out by adult fans watching kids play. You can continue that if you wish.

FTR, most of us wish SJT would bugger off as well. Just put him on ignore and go about your business. It makes this place much more enjoyable

 

[sjt18]

FTR, most of us wish SJT would bugger off as well. Just put him on ignore and go about your business. It makes this place much more enjoyable

Yeah. I guess "most of" you who cannot bear to have your ideas challenged probably do. Hopefully Gary isn't like that.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Yeah. I guess "most of" you who cannot bear to have your ideas challenged probably do. Hopefully Gary isn't like that.

Nah, most people don't necessarily mind having their ideas challenged. But when they're having their ideas challenged endlessly by an insufferable blowhard, it can be grating.

 

[sjt18]

Nah, most people don't necessarily mind having their ideas challenged. But when they're having their ideas challenged endlessly by an insufferable blowhard, it can be grating.

Yeah. It is so much better to act like you are the resident "conscience" of the board who speaks for "most of us"... while pompously declaring someone else an "insufferable blowhard".

Oh, and in response to a rival fan nonetheless. Great fan you are.

 

[Orange_Crush]

Nah, most people don't necessarily mind having their ideas challenged. But when they're having their ideas challenged endlessly by an insufferable blowhard, it can be grating.

I normally disagree with a lot of sjt's conclusions, but have always appreciated that he backs his opinions with facts and rational thought. Personally, I've never once thought of him as either insufferable, or a blowhard.

To each their own, and the world goes 'round...

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Yeah. It is so much better to act like you are the resident "conscience" of the board who speaks for "most of us"... while pompously declaring someone else an "insufferable blowhard".

Oh, and in response to a rival fan nonetheless. Great fan you are.

Well excuse me for trying to make a fan from an OOC bowl opponent feel welcome instead of drowning them in rhetoric about how much more I know their team than they do.

You are right that about the conscience of the board thing (besides the completely unnecessary quotation marks, of course lol) though. I should have said "many" instead of "most."

 

[chicagocatfan24]

Who questioned your football knowledge? Fans including me struggle to be objective about their own team.

I enjoy football. Frankly, if I wasn't somewhat of a purist then I'd struggle to watch NU. They're kind of boring.

I'm not saying that NU can't win. I will say that they shouldn't. UT has better players. They're bigger, faster, stronger, more physical, and quicker. I'm not boasting. I am making an objective claim. It would be welcomed, not rejected, if you jousted a little if you don't believe that to be true.

There are some parallels to be drawn by looking at past opponents. But there are some gaps and particularly when we try to match NU up to UT. You have not faced a good running QB this year. I haven't seen anyone except maybe Nebraska that even asks their QB to be part of their rushing attack. Dobbs is the #14 rusher in the SEC. UT has 3 guys in the top 14.

Your guys aren't particularly fast or quick compared to the teams UT has played. It will be difficult for them to stop UT's run schemes.

On D, I would just ask you to do this when you have some idle time. Watch a couple of games and focus on Lowry. Then watch a couple of UT games and focus on Barnett.[/QUOTE

Sirk for Duke had over 600 yards rushing. NU shut him down.

 

[sjt18]

Well excuse me for trying to make a fan from an OOC bowl opponent feel welcome instead of drowning them in rhetoric about how much more I know their team than they do.

You are right that about the conscience of the board thing (besides the completely unnecessary quotation marks, of course lol) though. I should have said "many" instead of "most."

No one, including Chicago to his credit, asked you to butt in.

I've looked at his team. I've looked at UT. He's a fan of NU who is drawing conclusions while acknowledging that he had not even watched UT play. That kind of puts me, or anyone else who has taken the time to watch both teams, at an advantage when making a comparison.

And again, if that offends your sensitivities then feel free just to mind your own business.

 

[sjt18]

Sirk for Duke had over 600 yards rushing. NU shut him down.

Not trying to be a smart aleck... I'd hate to hurt Darth's feelings again.... but Sirk? You think he makes a good comparison to Hurd, Kamara, or even Dobbs?

Dobbs as a QB with sacks taken from his rush total had almost as many yards and a better ypc avg. Kamara as UT's 2nd back had about the same yardage and over 2 more ypc on avg.

Six other opponents held Sirk to less yardage than NU did. Army held him to 49.


Maybe NU figures it out and comes up with such a good scheme that they stop all three of UT's rushers. Maybe Dobbs is just so horrible throwing the ball that NU can ignore the pass. But based on what UT's O has done and against who... and on pure athleticism... and on having watched the two teams play several games... I do not believe NU can stop UT's O.

 

[chicagocatfan24]

Not trying to be a smart aleck... I'd hate to hurt Darth's feelings again.... but Sirk? You think he makes a good comparison to Hurd, Kamara, or even Dobbs?

Dobbs as a QB with sacks taken from his rush total had almost as many yards and a better ypc avg. Kamara as UT's 2nd back had about the same yardage and over 2 more ypc on avg.

Six other opponents held Sirk to less yardage than NU did. Army held him to 49.


Maybe NU figures it out and comes up with such a good scheme that they stop all three of UT's rushers. Maybe Dobbs is just so horrible throwing the ball that NU can ignore the pass. But based on what UT's O has done and against who... and on pure athleticism... and on having watched the two teams play several games... I do not believe NU can stop UT's O.

You said nu hadn't faced a rushing QB this year. I said they have. Have you seen Duke play this year? He's every bit a duel threat

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

No one, including Chicago to his credit, asked you to butt in.

I've looked at his team. I've looked at UT. He's a fan of NU who is drawing conclusions while acknowledging that he had not even watched UT play. That kind of puts me, or anyone else who has taken the time to watch both teams, at an advantage when making a comparison.

And again, if that offends your sensitivities then feel free just to mind your own business.

Again, I apologize. I didn't know I had to get permission to butt in.

And who said anything about being offended or hurt feelings? I just think you're annoying and don't know nearly as much about football as you act like you do. That's it. Don't make it more than it is or act like this is new to you. I'm sure you encounter plenty of that offline as well, or you wouldn't be posting novellas on here every week.

Edit: as for Sirk, he's not a bad comparison for Dobbs athletically if you've seen him play. Dobbs is a bit more elusive though and has a better backfield to take pressure off of him. Sirk has the better offensive coaching though (apologies to our staff but Cutcliffe is great with QBs).

 

[sjt18]

You said nu hadn't faced a rushing QB this year. I said they have. Have you seen Duke play this year? He's every bit a duel threat

Fair point. Do you think he's on par with Dobbs? Have you watched any replays of UT yet?

I have seen Duke play some. I personally would not put Sirk in the same class as Dobbs and he definitely doesn't have a supporting cast as good as Dobbs.

 

[sjt18]

Again, I apologize. I didn't know I had to get permission to butt in.

If you want to contribute something of substance then help yourself. If you act juvenile by casting stones and calling names then please don't.

In discussions, it gets heated. You took an unnecessary shot at me when it was none of your business.

who said anything about being offended or hurt feelings? I just think you're annoying and don't know nearly as much about football as you act like you do.

Which of course justifies you butting in, lecturing me, and calling names... right?

Yeah... I wondered when that "I know more about football than you" crap would make it into your lecture.

Don't make it more than it is or act like this is new to you. I'm sure you encounter plenty of that offline as well, or you wouldn't be posting novellas on here every week.

Exaggerate much? I enjoy jousting back and forth with people here. Some people can handle it and have fun with it too. Some people, like you apparently, are too sensitive to have someone give an opinion they disagree with and then say WHY.

Edit: as for Sirk, he's not a bad comparison for Dobbs athletically if you've seen him play. Dobbs is a bit more elusive though and has a better backfield to take pressure off of him. Sirk has the better offensive coaching though (apologies to our staff but Cutcliffe is great with QBs).

I think Dobbs is a better runner. He's not only elusive but runs with great vision and is difficult to tackle. Agree that Hurd and Kamara are light years ahead of Sirk's running mates.

Cut is a better offensive coach than anyone currently on UT's staff. I wish we had him back. I'm not entirely sure he shouldn't have been hired after Kiffin.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

If you want to contribute something of substance then help yourself. If you act juvenile by casting stones and calling names then please don't.

In discussions, it gets heated. You took an unnecessary shot at me when it was none of your business.

Which of course justifies you butting in, lecturing me, and calling names... right?

Yeah... I wondered when that "I know more about football than you" crap would make it into your lecture.

Exaggerate much? I enjoy jousting back and forth with people here. Some people can handle it and have fun with it too. Some people, like you apparently, are too sensitive to have someone give an opinion they disagree with and then say WHY.

I think Dobbs is a better runner. He's not only elusive but runs with great vision and is difficult to tackle. Agree that Hurd and Kamara are light years ahead of Sirk's running mates.

Cut is a better offensive coach than anyone currently on UT's staff. I wish we had him back. I'm not entirely sure he shouldn't have been hired after Kiffin.

1. Yeah it probably was an unnecessary shot. No ragrets.

2. I didn't say I know more about football than you and I don't assume that I know more about football than anyone on this board. I just said that I don't think you know as much about football as you act like. I guess there's a subtle difference between those two things that I shouldn't have expected you'd be able to pick up on.

3. I love a good debate and back and forth as much as the next guy. I lived for Debate club back in the day. It's just you I don't like

4. I'm not disagreeing that Dobbs is a better runner, but Sirk is no push over. I think his skill set is comparable to Dobbs and NU having faced can be seen as a fairly analogous matchup, though the playmakers he's surrounded by aren't on the level of UT's.

Also agree about Cut, miss that guy.

 

[jakez4ut]

I wish we had him back. I'm not entirely sure he shouldn't have been hired after Kiffin.

they asked, he said no.

 

[sjt18]

1. Yeah it probably was an unnecessary shot. No ragrets.

OK. So an invitation, right?

2. I didn't say I know more about football than you and I don't assume that I know more about football than anyone on this board. I just said that I don't think you know as much about football as you act like. I guess there's a subtle difference between those two things that I shouldn't have expected you'd be able to pick up on.

First, if you aren't claiming to know more then how would you know enough to judge whether I "act" like I know more than I do? And then... How exactly does one "act" like they know more than they do? Where have I claimed to know more than I do? I have cited facts to support my opinions... but where have I claimed to be an "expert" at something I'm not?

3. I love a good debate and back and forth as much as the next guy. I lived for Debate club back in the day. It's just you I don't like

Then again.... feel free to mind your own business.:hi:

4. I'm not disagreeing that Dobbs is a better runner, but Sirk is no push over. I think his skill set is comparable to Dobbs and NU having faced can be seen as a fairly analogous matchup, though the playmakers he's surrounded by aren't on the level of UT's.

Also agree about Cut, miss that guy.

It is certainly the best comparison they have. His best performance was against VT which is the ACC's number 11 rush D. Dobbs had 158 yds vs UF (w/out sacks) and 57 vs Bama w/out sacks for about a 5 ypc avg. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that Dobbs ran less against weaker D's or else he probably would have rushed for over 1000 yds.

While it is their best comparison, I still don't think it is a very good one.

PS- I would love for them to scheme to stop Dobbs' running. Hurd and Kamara will have a field day.

 

[sjt18]

they asked, he said no.

I wasn't privy to any inside info beyond what is said here but wasn't the rumor that he wanted to bring his staff including Roper with him but UT didn't want the staff?