Can we start the turnaround vs. MSU?

[DaCat]

There's plenty to be gloom and doom about. NU is off to a 1-3 start. Three-game losing streak. A Jekyll-Hyde offense that is virtually unstoppable in the first quarter but then disappears the rest of the game. Injuries and apparent poor coaching results in a crappy OL. Career-ending medical condition for Jeremy Larkin - who saw that coming? And a likely serious knee injury to Nate Hall.

Coach Pat Fitzgerald has us right where he wants us.

Here are some positives that we can build on and give hope for a turnaround.

1. Thorson seems to be nearly 100% healthy.
2. Breakout year for Blake Gallagher.
3. Breakout year for Flynn Nagel.
4. Gaziano continues to be elite B1G pass rusher.
5. Rashawn Slater continues to be solid.
6. JR Pace improves every game.
7. Greg Newsome can become lockdown corner (concerned about his injury).
8. First quarter offense is unstoppable.
9. Vault is finally playing again after injuries.
10. Cam Green is very good.

Let's turn this season around, men!

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

There's plenty to be gloom and doom about. NU is off to a 1-3 start. Three-game losing streak. A Jekyll-Hyde offense that is virtually unstoppable in the first quarter but then disappears the rest of the game. Injuries and apparent poor coaching results in a crappy OL. Career-ending medical condition for Jeremy Larkin - who saw that coming? And a likely serious knee injury to Nate Hall.

Coach Pat Fitzgerald has us right where he wants us.

Here are some positives that we can build on and give hope for a turnaround.

1. Thorson seems to be nearly 100% healthy.
2. Breakout year for Blake Gallagher.
3. Breakout year for Flynn Nagel.
4. Gaziano continues to be elite B1G pass rusher.
5. Rashawn Slater continues to be solid.
6. JR Pace improves every game.
7. Greg Newsome can become lockdown corner (concerned about his injury).
8. First quarter offense is unstoppable.
9. Vault is finally playing again after injuries.
10. Cam Green is very good.

Let's turn this season around, men!

Vault may be the key. But we need to get our offensive line to play better.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Even bad teams come up with unicorn games. More importantly, we have a track record of improving as the season unfolds. I have not written off this season by any stretch. Just go 1-0 this week and we will all feel a lot better (except Willy).

 

[zeek55]

Win the next 3 games and a significant measure of optimism will be restored going into the ND/Wisconsin games.

We'd still control our destiny in the division and there'd be plenty for fans to be excited about in November.

Michigan State is really where it starts, if we play at the same level as we did against Michigan, we should be able to get a winning streak going.

 

[Fitz51]

6-6 and a really low bowl would is high-end scenario at this point. Win Rutgers, Illinois, Nebraska, and two more.

 

[DaCat]

6-6 and a really low bowl would is high-end scenario at this point. Win Rutgers, Illinois, Nebraska, and two more.

I don't disagree with you, yet I think a high end scenario of 8-4 is still possible. This is not a bad team, in spite of the sucky OL play at times and the disappearing offense trick that McCall likes to pull.

 

[FloridAlum]

6-6 and a really low bowl would is high-end scenario at this point. Win Rutgers, Illinois, Nebraska, and two more.

6-6 and a really low bowl would is high-end scenario at this point. Win Rutgers, Illinois, Nebraska, and two more.

I think that one of them has to be Minnesota

 

[DaCat]

I think that one of them has to be Minnesota

Agree. We have to absolutely beat Minny. Sink the rowboat!

 

[freewillie07]

I'll just say that this has probably been the most bizarre road to 1-1 in the Big Ten that any of us could have imagined. And I have no idea how the rest of the year will play out.

 

[Fitz51]

And I have no idea how the rest of the year will play out.

That is every single season.

 

[mikewebb68]

6-6 and a really low bowl would is high-end scenario at this point. Win Rutgers, Illinois, Nebraska, and two more.

Would be shocked if we did not beat Minnesota. They are worse than Illinois.

 

[mikewebb68]

There's plenty to be gloom and doom about. NU is off to a 1-3 start. Three-game losing streak. A Jekyll-Hyde offense that is virtually unstoppable in the first quarter but then disappears the rest of the game. Injuries and apparent poor coaching results in a crappy OL. Career-ending medical condition for Jeremy Larkin - who saw that coming? And a likely serious knee injury to Nate Hall.

Coach Pat Fitzgerald has us right where he wants us.

Here are some positives that we can build on and give hope for a turnaround.

1. Thorson seems to be nearly 100% healthy.
2. Breakout year for Blake Gallagher.
3. Breakout year for Flynn Nagel.
4. Gaziano continues to be elite B1G pass rusher.
5. Rashawn Slater continues to be solid.
6. JR Pace improves every game.
7. Greg Newsome can become lockdown corner (concerned about his injury).
8. First quarter offense is unstoppable.
9. Vault is finally playing again after injuries.
10. Cam Green is very good.

Let's turn this season around, men!

DiNardo summarized it eloquently today on BTN; if we play like we did vs. Michigan, we win. If not , we lose

 

[Williesfan]

There's plenty to be gloom and doom about. NU is off to a 1-3 start. Three-game losing streak. A Jekyll-Hyde offense that is virtually unstoppable in the first quarter but then disappears the rest of the game. Injuries and apparent poor coaching results in a crappy OL. Career-ending medical condition for Jeremy Larkin - who saw that coming? And a likely serious knee injury to Nate Hall.

Coach Pat Fitzgerald has us right where he wants us.

Here are some positives that we can build on and give hope for a turnaround.

1. Thorson seems to be nearly 100% healthy.
2. Breakout year for Blake Gallagher.
3. Breakout year for Flynn Nagel.
4. Gaziano continues to be elite B1G pass rusher.
5. Rashawn Slater continues to be solid.
6. JR Pace improves every game.
7. Greg Newsome can become lockdown corner (concerned about his injury).
8. First quarter offense is unstoppable.
9. Vault is finally playing again after injuries.
10. Cam Green is very good.

Let's turn this season around, men!

Agree with a lot of what you said. I would like to add the following.

Gaz while is a strong pass rusher has difficulty recognizing when to and sealing the edge.

Newsome has left at least two games due to injury. He may be one of these guys who is perpetually injured.

Concerned about the limitations of Solo.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

Agree. We have to absolutely beat Minny. Sink the rowboat!

 

[TheC]

Due to way we have played this year, however, watching this game will be stressful. If we come out hot and play well to start the game, there will be this little voice in the back of our heads telling us..... we've seen this before and we can't sustain it.

On the other hand, if MSU opens up a lead early, do we really have confidence we'll get better as the game goes on? Knowing NU, of course, that is exactly what will happen. The unexpected.

 

[Deeringfish]

Due to way we have played this year, however, watching this game will be stressful. If we come out hot and play well to start the game, there will be this little voice in the back of our heads telling us..... we've seen this before and we can't sustain it.

On the other hand, if MSU opens up a lead early, do we really have confidence we'll get better as the game goes on? Knowing NU, of course, that is exactly what will happen. The unexpected.

That is kind of how the last few seasons have been in miniature. The slow starts make it hard to feel all that great until the very end.

 

[ChicagoB1GCats]

I think that it all comes down to the Offensive Line. While McCall's play calling is often questionable and lacks creativity, it is worth noting how difficult it is to call plays for a Quarterback who has 2 seconds to throw the ball. In 2016 Austin Carr had most of his success on flag routes and deep crosses. If the O-Line can give Thorson more time I think guys like Nagel and Skowronek can get open.

 

[zeek55]

Turnaround beginning?

 

[CSCatFan1]

There's plenty to be gloom and doom about. NU is off to a 1-3 start. Three-game losing streak. A Jekyll-Hyde offense that is virtually unstoppable in the first quarter but then disappears the rest of the game. Injuries and apparent poor coaching results in a crappy OL. Career-ending medical condition for Jeremy Larkin - who saw that coming? And a likely serious knee injury to Nate Hall.

Coach Pat Fitzgerald has us right where he wants us.

Here are some positives that we can build on and give hope for a turnaround.

1. Thorson seems to be nearly 100% healthy.
2. Breakout year for Blake Gallagher.
3. Breakout year for Flynn Nagel.
4. Gaziano continues to be elite B1G pass rusher.
5. Rashawn Slater continues to be solid.
6. JR Pace improves every game.
7. Greg Newsome can become lockdown corner (concerned about his injury).
8. First quarter offense is unstoppable.
9. Vault is finally playing again after injuries.
10. Cam Green is very good.

Let's turn this season around, men!

NostraDACatmus

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

Yes

 

[DaCat]

We are 1-0 this week! I have to admit I was getting bad vibes in the 3rd quarter but the Cats withstood Sparty.

 

[pawildcat_rivals209725]

Would be shocked if we did not beat Minnesota. They are worse than Illinois.

Watching them against Iowa today I would certainly say they do not look worse than Illinois, at least not today.

 

[mikewebb68]

Watching them against Iowa today I would certainly say they do not look worse than Illinois, at least not today.

I was actually impressed more today by the Illini on the road (yeah, lol Rutgers, but I believe that the Illini had not won on the road in two calendar years, and had lost 13 in a row in thBIG, and they rolled up 300+ yards rushing!) than I was by Minny at home in a rivalry game. The game was never truly close; two terribad turnovers by Iowa (including one absolutely stupefying pick before halftime) made the score somewhat respectable. And Minny's defense can't stop anyone...