Next years team

[catsattackfor3]

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

Next years schedule is pretty much the same in my opinion sans the one non conference game so it will come down to how well NU improves and the improvement or lack thereof of the opponents in the B1G
.
Crossovers:
Michigan instead of Penn State = wash at minimum maybe a step down in talent vs. this years Penn State team

Rutgers instead of Maryland = wash at minimum maybe Rutgers' roster will be less talented than Marylands

Michigan State again

Non cons all at home:
Duke again but at home should increase the chance for a W
Akron instead of Bowling Green = a wash,
Notre Dame instead of Nevada = more difficult but will be a crazy environment at Ryan Field

 

[Hungry Jack]

Most scouts say this year's QB draft class is a very lean one. If CT has a chance to be the tallest midget, it might impel him to declare. But it's hard for me to envision him going any higher than day 3. He has a lot to work on, but maybe doing it with an NFL staff would be best for him.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

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.

Christ. Apologies my phrasing wasn’t exact enough for you.

Almasri played corner toward the end of the Nevada game when injuries hit, but didn’t start the Duke game (which was the context for my comment). Should have said “started” instead of “played.”

 

[loyolacat]

I

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.

Thomas came in at center when North got hurt Saturday and was in on the touchdown drive...made some good blocks

 

[No Chores]

Christ. Apologies my phrasing wasn’t exact enough for you.

Almasri played corner toward the end of the Nevada game when injuries hit, but didn’t start the Duke game (which was the context for my comment). Should have said “started” instead of “played.”

You certainly needn't refer to me as "Christ"! I was just trying to keep you accurate and honest. Almasri also played corner in the late stages of the BGSU game, and there might have been others.

 

[NURoseBowl]

Next years schedule is pretty much the same in my opinion sans the one non conference game so it will come down to how well NU improves and the improvement or lack thereof of the opponents in the B1G
.
Crossovers:
Michigan instead of Penn State = wash at minimum maybe a step down in talent vs. this years Penn State team

Rutgers instead of Maryland = wash at minimum maybe Rutgers' roster will be less talented than Marylands

Michigan State again

Non cons all at home:
Duke again but at home should increase the chance for a W
Akron instead of Bowling Green = a wash,
Notre Dame instead of Nevada = more difficult but will be a crazy environment at Ryan Field

And on this note, does anyone know the point at which it's no longer possible for ND to back out of this game? Hope I'm wrong, of course, but since the day this game was announced, I've had this nagging feeling that Notre Dame would find (or at least try to find) a way to slink out of playing it. Some of us here are more familiar with the scheduling process, and I'll be relieved to know if/when it's no longer possible for them to back out. I know (or have heard) that there was a large buyout built into the contract, but if ND really wanted out of this game, I'm pretty sure they have the resources for that. What I'm really wondering is, when is it no longer even allowable for them to back out?

 

[hdhntr1]

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

The games we have coming up, yes. But the teams in the West that we have faced so far are for the most part top of the West.

 

[catsattackfor3]

And on this note, does anyone know the point at which it's no longer possible for ND to back out of this game? Hope I'm wrong, of course, but since the day this game was announced, I've had this nagging feeling that Notre Dame would find (or at least try to find) a way to slink out of playing it. Some of us here are more familiar with the scheduling process, and I'll be relieved to know if/when it's no longer possible for them to back out. I know (or have heard) that there was a large buyout built into the contract, but if ND really wanted out of this game, I'm pretty sure they have the resources for that. What I'm really wondering is, when is it no longer even allowable for them to back out?

They will not back out and there is no reason for them to do so. ND only has 4 true road games next year and they will honor their commitment. I always thought the game would be played just never thought it would actually happen at Ryan Field, thought for sure somewhere along the line ND would demand it to be played at Soldier Field

 

[Cat In The Cradle]

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

I believe it excludes games not played, although I'm not completely certain. My source, for what it's worth, is in the attached link. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/northwestern/
The methodology is revealed if you wave your cursor over the 'SOS' column header. The corresponding figures in the 'SRS' column suggest data from only games played, so I'm extrapolating the same criteria applicable to the 'SOS' column.

 

[NURoseBowl]

They will not back out and there is no reason for them to do so. ND only has 4 true road games next year and they will honor their commitment. I always thought the game would be played just never thought it would actually happen at Ryan Field, thought for sure somewhere along the line ND would demand it to be played at Soldier Field

And that's been part of my concern, catsattack. I'll just breathe easier when I know stuff like that is no longer even possible.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Why

And that's been part of my concern, catsattack. I'll just breathe easier when I know stuff like that is no longer even possible.

Why would they want to back out? The stadium size hasn't changes any since they agreed to the game.

 

[mickbula]

Clayton Thorson a first or second round pick? YES SIR! You better believe it! Have you read the scouting reports for CT? The fact that CT plays for NU is quite a benefit for him. The scouts seem to write off any questions of whether CT will be a NFL star with the fact that HE PLAYS FOR NORTHWESTERN! Yes- it sounds crazy but any of CT's deficiencies are rebutted with the theme that NU has no OL, all bad recievers, and poor running backs. This bodes quite well for CT getting drafted rather high. They think he has no blame for the questions of his status as a first/second rounder. I think CT will and can be a starting nfl qb. I think the scouts are right on the money for a lot of their evaluations of CT. Let's hope many more studly qbs in hs see how CT can make the nfl even though he went to NU and had to study to pass his classes!

 

[willycat]

The games we have coming up, yes. But the teams in the West that we have faced so far are for the most part top of the West.

Io-a?

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

What I'm really wondering is, when is it no longer even allowable for them to back out?

I would think the date that NU issues its season tickets would be one firm date of no return.

 

[chariots]

And on this note, does anyone know the point at which it's no longer possible for ND to back out of this game? Hope I'm wrong, of course, but since the day this game was announced, I've had this nagging feeling that Notre Dame would find (or at least try to find) a way to slink out of playing it. Some of us here are more familiar with the scheduling process, and I'll be relieved to know if/when it's no longer possible for them to back out. I know (or have heard) that there was a large buyout built into the contract, but if ND really wanted out of this game, I'm pretty sure they have the resources for that. What I'm really wondering is, when is it no longer even allowable for them to back out?

I can't answer the question of whether its allowable. I do know that Notre Dame released their schedule through 2019 on their official website.

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/030217aad.html

 

[pawildcat_rivals209725]

Io-a?

Iowa's three BIG losses have been by a touchdown or less, and that includes games with ranked Penn State and Michigan State. They've beaten an Iowa State team that is 5-2 and ranked. The Hawkeyes are nothing great this year, but that's not a bad team.

 

[AnnArborCatfan]

I'm actually excited for next year too. 12 frosh seeing a lot of playing time. Only 10 of the 44 players comprising the two deep aresnioers. Lotsof returning talent plus the 2018 commits≥ Should be fun to watch!

 

[NURoseBowl]

I can't answer the question of whether its allowable. I do know that Notre Dame released their schedule through 2019 on their official website.

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/030217aad.html

Thanks, chariots. And I'll emphasize that I'm not basing this on anything other than a nagging feeling that I haven't been able to shake. I think we're all looking forward to that game actually happening.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Christ. Apologies my phrasing wasn’t exact enough for you.

Almasri played corner toward the end of the Nevada game when injuries hit, but didn’t start the Duke game (which was the context for my comment). Should have said “started” instead of “played.”

Typical

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Clayton Thorson a first or second round pick? YES SIR! You better believe it! Have you read the scouting reports for CT? The fact that CT plays for NU is quite a benefit for him. The scouts seem to write off any questions of whether CT will be a NFL star with the fact that HE PLAYS FOR NORTHWESTERN! Yes- it sounds crazy but any of CT's deficiencies are rebutted with the theme that NU has no OL, all bad recievers, and poor running backs. This bodes quite well for CT getting drafted rather high. They think he has no blame for the questions of his status as a first/second rounder. I think CT will and can be a starting nfl qb. I think the scouts are right on the money for a lot of their evaluations of CT. Let's hope many more studly qbs in hs see how CT can make the nfl even though he went to NU and had to study to pass his classes!

Please pass that bong my way.