Is it too early...

[DaCat]

... to plan for a return trip to Indy this season? I'll answer my own question: no.

With Peyton Ramsey on board we are sitting very well, I dare say, for a renaissance in the Cardiac Cat offense. Ramsey is the real deal, and is already battle-tested in Power 5 football, and more importantly, the B1G. Last year, he was 204-300 (68% completion rate), for 2,454 yards, 13 TDs and 5 INT. For comparison, Clayton Thorson had a season best completion percentage of 61.1%, and career average of 58.4%. Ramsey has improved his completion percentage every year, going from 65.4% to 66.0% to 68.0%. Welcome aboard, Mr. Ramsey!

 

[PurpleFaze]

You also need to consider who he was throwing to at Indiana versus our current WR core. Maybe we can get a transfer WR...

But yes, this is good news for the QB room

 

[corbi2961]

You also need to consider who he was throwing to at Indiana versus our current WR core. Maybe we can get a transfer WR...

But yes, this is good news for the QB room

Who the hell does Indiana have at WR? You also have to consider the defense and running game he had surrounding him at Indiana vs. NU. Next year’s NU roster will be the most talented Ramsey has ever played with.

 

[DaCat]

Who the hell does Indiana have at WR? You also have to consider the defense and running game he had surrounding him Indiana bs. NU. Next year’s NU roster will be the most talented Ramsey has ever played with.

Agreed. Even though we lose Joe Gazilla and Alex Miller on D, I think we will simply reload. The talent we have is ridiculous, if we can recover from the injuries.

 

[NJCat]

Who the hell does Indiana have at WR? .

They got Whop Philyor, that's who. He put up 76 yards receiving on just 2 catches against the vaunted NU pass defense last year.

NU got Whop'd.

 

[thewildcat2011]

Who the hell does Indiana have at WR? You also have to consider the defense and running game he had surrounding him Indiana bs. NU. Next year’s NU roster will be the most talented Ramsey has ever played with.

Corbi, I love ya, but IU had like 4 pass catchers that show up in most stats before we see Lees (NU's top receiver last year). Whop Philyor was a top 5 receiver in the league last year.

 

[PurpleFaze]

Who the hell does Indiana have at WR? You also have to consider the defense and running game he had surrounding him Indiana bs. NU. Next year’s NU roster will be the most talented Ramsey has ever played with.

Well last year Indiana I believe threw for over 300 yards per game. One of two Big 10 teams to do so. One of their WRs was top 4 in yardage at over 1000 yards on the season.

Do you think our WR group was strong or weak last year? I’d say it is one of the weakest if not the weakest areas on our team currently.

Indiana was 8-5 last year? They smoked us.

I’d feel better if the player I won’t name didn’t bolt for ND.

 

[DaCat]

I hope Coach Jake figures out a way to make to our receivers more productive. Already he's taken a step in the right direction with Peyton Ramsey, someone who can get the ball to the receivers. We have a decent group of receivers -- Lees, Washington, Jefferson, McGowan, RCB, James -- with some unknowns who seem to have high ceilings like Kirtz and GHP. Break out the Juggs tennis ball machine!

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

O

Corbi, I love ya, but IU had like 4 pass catchers that show up in most stats before we see Lees (NU's top receiver last year). Whop Philyor was a top 5 receiver in the league last year.

Oh yeah? Big Whoop (sic)

 

[corbi2961]

Corbi, I love ya, but IU had like 4 pass catchers that show up in most stats before we see Lees (NU's top receiver last year). Whop Philyor was a top 5 receiver in the league last year.

What comes first, the chicken or the egg? The root cause for last year was our QB play, not our WRs. Ramsey will have plenty of good targets to throw to next year and I predict we’ll have more wins next year than he ever had in any single season at Indiana.

 

[PurpleFaze]

What comes first, the chicken or the egg? The root cause for last year was our QB play, not our WRs. Ramsey will have plenty of good targets to throw to next year and I predict we’ll have more wins next year than he ever had in any single season at Indiana.

So you’re predicting we win at least 9 games this coming season?

I’d also say part of the reason our QB play was so bad last year was that our WRs weren’t exactly getting open and they also dropped more balls than they should have.

 

[corbi2961]

Well last year Indiana I believe threw for over 300 yards per game. One of two Big 10 teams to do so. One of their WRs was top 4 in yardage at over 1000 yards on the season.

Do you think our WR group was strong or weak last year? I’d say it is one of the weakest if not the weakest areas on our team currently.

Indiana was 8-5 last year? They smoked us.

I’d feel better if the player I won’t name didn’t bolt for ND.

I’ve answered that question before. Our WR group was not the problem last year and they are more than comparable to what Indiana puts on the field. Since when did Indiana become a football power that we envy? They’ve had one good year and beat us last year for the first time in about a decade because our QB play was pathetic. Next year’s NU team will be the most talented team Ramsey will ever have played with.

 

[corbi2961]

So you’re predicting we win at least 9 games this coming season?

I’d also say part of the reason our QB play was so bad last year was that our WRs weren’t exactly getting open and they also dropped more balls than they should have.

I see no reason why we can’t win the West again next year with QB play at the level of what Ramsey put up last year. I see nothing wrong with our WRs as a group. We lack the elite game breaker but the group as a whole is very solid. Not dissimilar from most position groups at NU. Lacking the elite talent but solid talent and depth across the board.

 

[DaCat]

So you’re predicting we win at least 9 games this coming season?

I’d also say part of the reason our QB play was so bad last year was that our WRs weren’t exactly getting open and they also dropped more balls than they should have.

I'm thinking that 10 wins is not out of the question.

 

[PurpleFaze]

I'm thinking that 10 wins is not out of the question.

Hope you’re right. I think we should make a bowl game, but 6-8 wins is probably the likely range. We definitely can’t afford many injuries.

And I’d say right now as of today our WR/TE group is the weakest area of the team. Maybe they will step up and be better than expected. Last year definitely wasn’t all the fault of the QB’s.

 

[CSCatFan1]

I see no reason why we can’t win the West again next year with QB play at the level of what Ramsey put up last year. I see nothing wrong with our WRs as a group. We lack the elite game breaker but the group as a whole is very solid. Not dissimilar from most position groups at NU. Lacking the elite talent but solid talent and depth across the board.

IMHO, the key to our offense will be Coach Anderson’s room. We’ve got to put together a cohesive starting five with some real depth. I think we made some progress towards the end of the season. We must give PR some time to throw, he won’t be very effective unless our OL can keep him clean. I’m looking forward to our two deep!

 

[DaCat]

Hope you’re right. I think we should make a bowl game, but 6-8 wins is probably the likely range. We definitely can’t afford many injuries.

Injuries obviously can wreck any season, but setting that aside, I think we are in great position to return to the top of the B1G West.

Our biggest problem was offense. Whether McCall was to blame or not, replacing him with Coach Jake should result in a fresh approach and a new offense that the early season opponents won't have much film on. We should get a nice bounce off the floor of the NCAA offensive rankings just for that reason alone.

Our worst offensive position last year was QB. We fixed that instantly with Peyton Ramsey. And if needed, hopefully HJ and Marty are both better with some experience under their belts.

WR - to be seen, but Lees was a bright spot, and others showed flashes like JJ Jefferson, Washington, etc.

RB - Bowser, Anderson, Hull, etc. need to stay injury-free but can be effective runners.

OL - We return 4 of 5 starters on OL, while having better talent behind them than I can ever remember. Guys like Skoronski, Stovall, Connor Foster, Payne He'Bert, Zach Franks, etc. will be all chomping at the bits to challenge for playing time.

Defense - just reload. We have a lot of talent and experience, we will be good again.

 

[torque-cat]

Does this signal the likely end of the Hunter Johnson dream? Seems unlikely we could’ve landed a battle tested excellent big ten QB if he wasn’t told that he has the inside lane to start. He only has 1 season left and most such guys go to places they know they’ll play. I’m sure he knows we have a 5 Star QB from Clemson on our roster and I’m sure he’s inquired about his likelihood to start.

 

[corbi2961]

IMHO, the key to our offense will be Coach Anderson’s room. We’ve got to put together a cohesive starting five with some real depth. I think we made some progress towards the end of the season. We must give PR some time to throw, he won’t be very effective unless our OL can keep him clean. I’m looking forward to our two deep!

Absolutely, it all starts up front. A good OL can cover up for a lot of sins. With Anderson at the helm I am optimistic for the first time in a long while.

 

[TheC]

Transfer QB will assuredly lead NU to glory. I think I've fallen for that one before. Let's wait and see if this guy even wins the starting job.

 

[corbi2961]

Does this signal the likely end of the Hunter Johnson dream? Seems unlikely we could’ve landed a battle tested excellent big ten QB if he wasn’t told that he has the inside lane to start. He only has 1 season left and most such guys go to places they know they’ll play. I’m sure he knows we have a 5 Star QB from Clemson on our roster and I’m sure he’s inquired about his likelihood to start.

Not at all. A lot can happen over the course of a season. Even if Ramsey comes in and accomplishes all that we hope, HJ would still have one season left to prove it on the field.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Does this signal the likely end of the Hunter Johnson dream? Seems unlikely we could’ve landed a battle tested excellent big ten QB if he wasn’t told that he has the inside lane to start. He only has 1 season left and most such guys go to places they know they’ll play. I’m sure he knows we have a 5 Star QB from Clemson on our roster and I’m sure he’s inquired about his likelihood to start.

No, Fitz isn’t guaranteeing anyone a starting role. The message to Hunter and Peyton is the best man will start and we are one snap away from the next man being in there. Be ready.

 

[NJCat]

Transfer QB will assuredly lead NU to glory. I think I've fallen for that one before.

Two words:

Zak Kustoc.

Worked out pretty well.

 

[DaCat]

Does this signal the likely end of the Hunter Johnson dream? Seems unlikely we could’ve landed a battle tested excellent big ten QB if he wasn’t told that he has the inside lane to start. He only has 1 season left and most such guys go to places they know they’ll play. I’m sure he knows we have a 5 Star QB from Clemson on our roster and I’m sure he’s inquired about his likelihood to start.

If Peyton Ramsey watched any film on the Cats from last season, and if he is any kind of competitor, I bet he is drooling.

 

[DaCat]

Two words:

Zak Kustoc.

Worked out pretty well.

Absolutely. Ramsey already has 3 B1G seasons under his belt. I liken his situation more like Russell Wilson heading to Wiskey for one season of glory.

 

[Rebel_]

You also need to consider who he was throwing to at Indiana versus our current WR core. Maybe we can get a transfer WR...

But yes, this is good news for the QB room

You also need to consider who he was throwing to at Indiana versus our current WR core. Maybe we can get a transfer WR...

But yes, this is good news for the QB room

I believe that our WR pool, new OC, QB competition, and improved schemes will prove you wrong, very wrong. Go 'Cats!!!

 

[Hungry Jack]

No. Er, yes. Too early.

But we will be considerably better.

 

[mikero3]

Who the hell does Indiana have at WR? You also have to consider the defense and running game he had surrounding him at Indiana vs. NU. Next year’s NU roster will be the most talented Ramsey has ever played with.

Oh Lord... Offensively IU have had more speed and talent at receiver than NU for a long time. They have had very good backs too. Indiana also have had a much better scheme and a better OL. Their defense has been a disaster in many years and was a reason they lost so many games.

The good news is we no longer have a predictable, stale, simpleton at OC that you loved, have more depth at QB and will be better with a little better depth at OL.

Definitely a good day for NU no matter what.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

... to plan for a return trip to Indy this season? I'll answer my own question: no.

With Peyton Ramsey on board we are sitting very well, I dare say, for a renaissance in the Cardiac Cat offense. Ramsey is the real deal, and is already battle-tested in Power 5 football, and more importantly, the B1G. Last year, he was 204-300 (68% completion rate), for 2,454 yards, 13 TDs and 5 INT. For comparison, Clayton Thorson had a season best completion percentage of 61.1%, and career average of 58.4%. Ramsey has improved his completion percentage every year, going from 65.4% to 66.0% to 68.0%. Welcome aboard, Mr. Ramsey!

Yes.

 

[mikero3]

... to plan for a return trip to Indy this season? I'll answer my own question: no.

With Peyton Ramsey on board we are sitting very well, I dare say, for a renaissance in the Cardiac Cat offense. Ramsey is the real deal, and is already battle-tested in Power 5 football, and more importantly, the B1G. Last year, he was 204-300 (68% completion rate), for 2,454 yards, 13 TDs and 5 INT. For comparison, Clayton Thorson had a season best completion percentage of 61.1%, and career average of 58.4%. Ramsey has improved his completion percentage every year, going from 65.4% to 66.0% to 68.0%. Welcome aboard, Mr. Ramsey!

YES much much too early! WE were horrible in several areas last year.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Does this signal the likely end of the Hunter Johnson dream? Seems unlikely we could’ve landed a battle tested excellent big ten QB if he wasn’t told that he has the inside lane to start. He only has 1 season left and most such guys go to places they know they’ll play. I’m sure he knows we have a 5 Star QB from Clemson on our roster and I’m sure he’s inquired about his likelihood to start.

No.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

I see no reason why we can’t win the West again next year with QB play at the level of what Ramsey put up last year. I see nothing wrong with our WRs as a group. We lack the elite game breaker but the group as a whole is very solid. Not dissimilar from most position groups at NU. Lacking the elite talent but solid talent and depth across the board.

We would kill to have Westbrook, Hendershot, and Whop.

 

[DaCat]

Yes.

Whatever.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

All I can say, is this WR v QB discussion sure beats most of the things we were wringing our hands about on this board last season.

 

[DaCat]

YES much much too early! WE were horrible in several areas last year.

We definitely had a lot of issues last year, but I feel they snowballed when the offense played so poorly, beginning with the QB position. Plugging a QB like Peyton Ramsey into that picture will make a world of difference.

 

[corbi2961]

Oh Lord... Offensively IU have had more speed and talent at receiver than NU for a long time. They have had very good backs too. Indiana also have had a much better scheme and a better OL. Their defense has been a disaster in many years and was a reason they lost so many games.

The good news is we no longer have a predictable, stale, simpleton at OC that you loved, have more depth at QB and will be better with a little better depth at OL.

Definitely a good day for NU no matter what.

LOL, what else is new from the ultra NU fan who thinks everything about NU sucks! Good to know some things never change. Are you going to be happy when NU wins 10 games and the Big ten West next year or are you only happy when you are miserable?

 

[freewillie07]

LOL, what else is new from the ultra NU fan who thinks everything about NU sucks! Good to know some things never change. Are you going to be happy when NU wins 10 games and the Big ten West next year or are you only happy when you are miserable?

Just because someone points out that IU’s receivers and offense were better than NU’s — something that’s supported by statistics and the “eye test,” respective QBs notwithstanding — does not mean that they are “only happy when miserable.” Jeez.

 

[corbi2961]

Just because someone points out that IU’s receivers and offense were better than NU’s — something that’s supported by statistics and the “eye test,” respective QBs notwithstanding — does not mean that they are “only happy when miserable.” Jeez.

The problem is that it’s not just about this. All the guy do is *****, complain and criticize everything about NU and that goes back almost 20 years since i’ve been posting on this board.

 

[REX KERNY]

Corbi chill!

 

[corbi2961]

Corbi chill!

I am very chill. So much so I don’t want anybody ruining the mood with a bunch of negativity.