Next years team

[BigNUFan51]

Anyway you slice it this year has been a huge disappointment. If we can only win between 6-8 games this year against a soft schedule what's it going to look like next year against a very difficult schedule

I'm assuming Thorson heads the NFL after this season. In addition we are going to be losing:

Jackson
Lancaster
Quiero
Dickerson
Godwin

What are your thoughts

 

[SciCat_rivals]

Anyway you slice it this year has been a huge disappointment. If we can only win between 6-8 games this year against a soft schedule what's it going to look like next year against a very difficult schedule

I'm assuming Thorson heads the NFL after this season. In addition we are going to be losing:

Jackson
Lancaster
Quiero
Dickerson
Godwin

What are your thoughts

Huge disappointment? I disagree.

 

[freewillie07]

Anyway you slice it this year has been a huge disappointment. If we can only win between 6-8 games this year against a soft schedule what's it going to look like next year against a very difficult schedule

I'm assuming Thorson heads the NFL after this season. In addition we are going to be losing:

Jackson
Lancaster
Quiero
Dickerson
Godwin

What are your thoughts

Thorson stays for his senior season.

Larkin and Moten are one of the top RB duos in the conference.

Samdup Miller slides inside to DT and Earnest Brown/Trevor Kent/Tommy Carnifax show their stuff at DE. Heck, maybe even XWash.

J.R. Pace and Jared McGee slide in seamlessly to starting safeties.

Cam Green has looked solid at superback this year.


I'm not worried. Losing Thorson early would be a problem, I admit, since Alviti is gone with him.

 

[corbi2961]

Anyway you slice it this year has been a huge disappointment. If we can only win between 6-8 games this year against a soft schedule what's it going to look like next year against a very difficult schedule

I'm assuming Thorson heads the NFL after this season. In addition we are going to be losing:

Jackson
Lancaster
Quiero
Dickerson
Godwin

What are your thoughts

First of all, Thorson is unlikely to go anywhere and therefore I think next year's team has a chance to be very good. Secondly, it's way too early to judge this year's team in any way.

 

[NJCat]

Thorson stays for his senior season.

Larkin and Moten are one of the top RB duos in the conference.

Samdup Miller slides inside to DT and Earnest Brown/Trevor Kent/Tommy Carnifax show their stuff at DE. Heck, maybe even XWash.

J.R. Pace and Jared McGee slide in seamlessly to starting safeties.

Cam Green has looked solid at superback this year.


I'm not worried. Losing Thorson early would be a problem, I admit, since Alviti is gone with him.

Good points.

Nate Hall and Paddy Wagon Fisher will be stars. Gallagher and Jango will vie for the final LB slot.

For better or worse, the OL will be very experienced: Hance, Butler and Doles will be Senior 3 year starters, Thomas probably comes in at Center, and Slater will have a full year of experience. New coach and the guys will be OK.

Conclusion: no major drop off in 2018.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I think it’s a fool’s errand to prognosticate teams like NU from year to year. There is just so much variability, and college games are often won or lost by the slimmest of margins, that it’s really hard to say what will transpire. I will always have hope that this team can play better and surprise us all. Next years cupboard is far from bare with an excellent LB corps, returning starters at CB, a very promising RB, breakout players at DE, and an experienced QB. There’s enough there to win. Can the Oline improve? Cannplaymakers emerge at WR? Can we stay healthy? These are the things that will determine our fortunes in 2018.

 

[corbi2961]

Thorson stays for his senior season.

Larkin and Moten are one of the top RB duos in the conference.

Samdup Miller slides inside to DT and Earnest Brown/Trevor Kent/Tommy Carnifax show their stuff at DE. Heck, maybe even XWash.

J.R. Pace and Jared McGee slide in seamlessly to starting safeties.

Cam Green has looked solid at superback this year.


I'm not worried. Losing Thorson early would be a problem, I admit, since Alviti is gone with him.

I can assure you that Sam Miller won't be moving to DT full time based on how he has played at DE.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

The basketball team will be dam,dam good! That's for sure!

 

[BigNUFan51]

First of all, Thorson is unlikely to go anywhere and therefore I think next year's team has a chance to be very good. Secondly, it's way too early to judge this year's team in any way.

I really think Thorson is gone. He's graduating this year and the NFL has three years of tape on him.

Has he had a great year? No, but not sure it matters.

 

[corbi2961]

I really think Thorson is gone. He's graduating this year and the NFL has three years of tape on him.

Has he had a great year? No, but not sure it matters.

That would be a foolish decision from an economic perspective. He will not be a first round pick based on his play so far this year.

 

[SciCat_rivals]

That would be a foolish decision from an economic perspective. He will not be a first round pick based on his play so far this year.

He/she sounds a bit like a shill who is trying to start an argument.

 

[Cat In The Cradle]

Anyway you slice it this year has been a huge disappointment. If we can only win between 6-8 games this year against a soft schedule what's it going to look like next year against a very difficult schedule

I'm assuming Thorson heads the NFL after this season. In addition we are going to be losing:

Jackson
Lancaster
Quiero
Dickerson
Godwin

What are your thoughts

Actually, the schedule has been far from soft thus far, earning the highest strength of schedule rating under Fitz outside of the two 10-win seasons (which, in turn, were skewed by highly ranked bowl opponents).

 

[Fanaticat98]

Anyway you slice it this year has been a huge disappointment.

Sort of. When you look back at the season to date, Wisky and PSU are top 5 teams so there was little chance of any recent NU team beating them. Duke was the only really depressing outlier. Unless you think we were a top 5-10 team who would be expected to beat a top 5 team, then realistically we would be 5-2 right now instead of 4-3; not too far off.

 

[BigNUFan51]

That would be a foolish decision from an economic perspective. He will not be a first round pick based on his play so far this year.

No guarantee he will be first round pick next year either if he stays. To say it would be a foolish decision is a little ridiculous.

 

[corbi2961]

No guarantee he will be first round pick next year either if he stays. To say it would be a foolish decision is a little ridiculous.

It would be a foolish decision.

 

[BigNUFan51]

Actually, the schedule has been far from soft thus far, earning the highest strength of schedule rating under Fitz outside of the two 10-win seasons (which, in turn, were skewed by highly ranked bowl opponents).

The Big Ten West is about as bad as you can ask for though.

 

[BigNUFan51]

It would be a foolish decision.

Please elaborate. He was a three year starter and will have his degree.

 

[Deeringfish]

He/she sounds a bit like a shill who is trying to start an argument.

Shrill or not i agree with this CT hasn't over come the limitations of this offense. He has at least a great RB at his side and yet we struggle.

 

[corbi2961]

Please elaborate. He was a three year starter and will have his degree.

He hasn't developed all the skills to be a successful pro QB. He still needs work on his accuracy/ball placement, pocket feel/mobility and ability to read defenses. Today's NFL is not a developmental league, particularly for QBs. He has a much better chance at long term success if he stays at NU and works on those skills.

 

[Fitz51]

Like every NU season, we’ll have no real idea no matter how much we discuss. Anywhere between 5-10 wins.

 

[Fitz51]

Please elaborate. He was a three year starter and will have his degree.

He’s not good. Of course, I said the same of a certain other recent NU QB

 

[xxxbobxxx]

No guarantee he will be first round pick next year either if he stays. To say it would be a foolish decision is a little ridiculous.

Wonder how this would impact the bet with Mike....

Anywho, ct wont be drafted at this point. Accuracy issues and pocket presence are pretty important in the nfl.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Shrill or not i agree with this CT hasn't over come the limitations of this offense. He has at least a great RB at his side and yet we struggle.

This. Jjtbc probably won't play on Sundays yet he has largely overcome a horrible OL to probably NU leading rusher and among top in B1G history. Makes me hope he is the RB version of Drew Brees (too small for the NFL according to the gcgs of the world...)

 

[pawildcat_rivals209725]

The Big Ten West is about as bad as you can ask for though.

Yeah, but the only West teams we have played so far are Wisconsin and Iowa, neither of whom are pushovers, and we get a ranked Michigan State team this week.

 

[julescat]

This 2017 NU team was very much overrated going into the year. No surprise to be no better than 4-3.

 

[EvanstonCat]

I really think Thorson is gone. He's graduating this year and the NFL has three years of tape on him.

Has he had a great year? No, but not sure it matters.

If he doesn't have some sort of miraculous turnaround this year, there is no way he is getting drafted. None. He has more INTs than TDs right now. He is so far away from getting drafted it's not even funny. No one leaves early if they don't project for the first day. He doesn't even project for the second at this point. He has the physical gifts, but if you can't show any semblance of NFL caliber production on the field, then might get you an invite to NFL camp and an almost inevitable cut.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Sort of. When you look back at the season to date, Wisky and PSU are top 5 teams so there was little chance of any recent NU team beating them. Duke was the only really depressing outlier. Unless you think we were a top 5-10 team who would be expected to beat a top 5 team, then realistically we would be 5-2 right now instead of 4-3; not too far off.

And considering that we were playing a walk on at CB, Duke was something of an aberration. At least I like to tell myself that.

Our Offense is fairly putrid this year though against solid defences. We can move the ball and score on the dregs, but anyone with a decent defense (even Duke) is basically capable of stopping us.

 

[mikewebb68]

Wonder how this would impact the bet with Mike....

Anywho, ct wont be drafted at this point. Accuracy issues and pocket presence are pretty important in the nfl.

I believe that, based on our prior emails, if he jumps to the NFL after this season and does not play for us next year for that reason, neither of us wins the bet, QTC,

 

[mikewebb68]

This. Jjtbc probably won't play on Sundays yet he has largely overcome a horrible OL to probably NU leading rusher and among top in B1G history. Makes me hope he is the RB version of Drew Brees (too small for the NFL according to the gcgs of the world...)

I don't believe that his size is the deciding factor (it appears that there are more undersized RBs in the NFL nowadays), but the fact that he is lacking a bit in speed on the top end. But I'm not an NFL scout, so I truly have no clue....

 

[BleedingPurple15]

I think there is a high probabilityThorson gets drafted in 4th through 7th round if he leaves after this year.

Also, NU always performs when expectations are low, and vice versa - so take that how you will.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

If he doesn't have some sort of miraculous turnaround this year, there is no way he is getting drafted. None. He has more INTs than TDs right now. He is so far away from getting drafted it's not even funny. No one leaves early if they don't project for the first day. He doesn't even project for the second at this point. He has the physical gifts, but if you can't show any semblance of NFL caliber production on the field, then might get you an invite to NFL camp and an almost inevitable cut.

Trevor Siemian says “hello!”

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

And considering that we were playing a walk on at CB, Duke was something of an aberration. At least I like to tell myself that.

Our Offense is fairly putrid this year though against solid defences. We can move the ball and score on the dregs, but anyone with a decent defense (even Duke) is basically capable of stopping us.

We never played a walk on at CB.

 

[Fanaticat98]

We never played a walk on at CB.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...sri-northwestern-spt-0909-20170908-story.html
"Walk-on grad student Moe Almasri might start for Northwestern against Duke"

Is he not a walkon or not a CB?

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...sri-northwestern-spt-0909-20170908-story.html
"Walk-on grad student Moe Almasri might start for Northwestern against Duke"

Is he not a walkon or not a CB?

He didn’t play CB. Queiro started there as expected, then Williams made a surprise comeback when Queiro had to shift back to safety when McGee got ejected for targeting.

 

[NURoseBowl]

Laugh all you like - and our old friend Shakes would be rolling his eyes at this - but I'm honestly very interested in seeing how Kuhbander's NU career unfolds. The chip shot miss on his first collegiate attempt notwithstanding, I'm intrigued by his potential. I liked what I saw of him in Kenosha, and the lift and carry on his kicks has been, to me, pleasantly reminiscent of a certain Jeff Budzien -- who, just off the top of my head, hit something like 42 of his last 45 FG attempts. It's a nice luxury to have a reliable weapon like that, and particularly important when you tend to play a lot of close games (as we seemingly always have).

 

[NUCat320]

Actually, the schedule has been far from soft thus far, earning the highest strength of schedule rating under Fitz outside of the two 10-win seasons (which, in turn, were skewed by highly ranked bowl opponents).

Interesting. May I assume your stat doesn't account for games yet to be played?

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

If he doesn't have some sort of miraculous turnaround this year, there is no way he is getting drafted. None. He has more INTs than TDs right now. He is so far away from getting drafted it's not even funny. No one leaves early if they don't project for the first day. He doesn't even project for the second at this point. He has the physical gifts, but if you can't show any semblance of NFL caliber production on the field, then might get you an invite to NFL camp and an almost inevitable cut.

You comment on no one leaving early for the draft is just wrong. Half the NFL draft are early enteries. If the statement relates to elite QB prospects, then it makes some sense, even though you do have the Brad Kaaya types every year.

Personally, I think he stays another year. First because he hasn't taken the same incremental jump this season as last season. Second, because I think it is a good draft year for QBS. Of course he has to consider if he can take another year of getting hit too many times when he drops back.

However, I have way more optimism on his prospects to play in the league than you do. The physical tools are there. The combination of size and arm strength are going to get him serious NFL looks. Surely, you read last week's post were CT was projected as a late first round pick going to Washington. I don't think that will happen this year, but I wouldn't be shocked at all to see it happen after a good senior year. Scouts care about how you project in the NFL way more than your production in college. Otherwise, JJTBC would be a first round pick.

 

[docrugby1]

Interesting. May I assume your stat doesn't account for games yet to be played?

Sagarin currently has NU's schedule difficulty as #8 but will come down in the second half of the season

 

[No Chores]

He didn’t play CB. Queiro started there as expected, then Williams made a surprise comeback when Queiro had to shift back to safety when McGee got ejected for targeting.

We never played a walk on at CB.

Not quite correct. Almasri never has started at CB to my knowledge, but he has seen in game action at that position on a few occasions. I witnessed this live in at least one game.

 

[corbi2961]

You comment on no one leaving early for the draft is just wrong. Half the NFL draft are early enteries. If the statement relates to elite QB prospects, then it makes some sense, even though you do have the Brad Kaaya types every year.

Personally, I think he stays another year. First because he hasn't taken the same incremental jump this season as last season. Second, because I think it is a good draft year for QBS. Of course he has to consider if he can take another year of getting hit too many times when he drops back.

However, I have way more optimism on his prospects to play in the league than you do. The physical tools are there. The combination of size and arm strength are going to get him serious NFL looks. Surely, you read last week's post were CT was projected as a late first round pick going to Washington. I don't think that will happen this year, but I wouldn't be shocked at all to see it happen after a good senior year. Scouts care about how you project in the NFL way more than your production in college. Otherwise, JJTBC would be a first round pick.

I agree with this. Candidly, his decision may come down to what happens with NU's OL. After going through three straight years of getting pounded, particularly early in the season, Thorson may want some assurances that something is going to change. I would.