Prediction Thread: NU @ Duke
- Thread starter rmndcat
- Start date
Clayton passes for ~200 yards in first half to loosen up the defense, JJTB runs for over 100 yards in the second half once their D is on their heels.
NU secondary does its best with a depleted CB group, but struggles at times to get the D off the field as 3rd and longs get converted due to soft coverage and limited pass rush.
Down by 4 in the 4th, NU (Thorson) wins a shoot-out on the last drive of the game and we spend next week talking about the return of the Cardiac Cats.
Cats - 34
Devils - 31
**not what I want, just what I feel is coming...
NU secondary does its best with a depleted CB group, but struggles at times to get the D off the field as 3rd and longs get converted due to soft coverage and limited pass rush.
Down by 4 in the 4th, NU (Thorson) wins a shoot-out on the last drive of the game and we spend next week talking about the return of the Cardiac Cats.
Cats - 34
Devils - 31
**not what I want, just what I feel is coming...
Cats - 28
Duke - 24
The score does not get crazy high as NU becomes successful with the run as Duke spreads out due to worry about the pass.
Duke quarterback tries to make the same throws against depleted NU secondary that worked against FCS team and throws a couple of interceptions. That is the difference in the game.
Duke - 24
The score does not get crazy high as NU becomes successful with the run as Duke spreads out due to worry about the pass.
Duke quarterback tries to make the same throws against depleted NU secondary that worked against FCS team and throws a couple of interceptions. That is the difference in the game.
CFN predicts a Northwestern victory 27-23. Sagarin's computer picks the Cats by about 3 1/2 or a fraction more.
http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/09/northwestern-vs-duke-fearless-prediction-game-preview
http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/09/northwestern-vs-duke-fearless-prediction-game-preview
Cats 44
The Other Guys 31
Receivers for both teams have a productive day, but the 'Cats offense really clicks in all phases.
The Other Guys 31
Receivers for both teams have a productive day, but the 'Cats offense really clicks in all phases.
Never took the ACT. They didn't even conduct it at my HS. Wonder if the ACT's market share skews scores.
2015: Duke beats NC Central by 55; loses to NU by 9.
2016: Duke beats NC Central by 43; loses to NU by 11.
2017: Duke beats NC Central by 53; loses to NU by 10.
Evanstonians 38
Durhamians 28
2016: Duke beats NC Central by 43; loses to NU by 11.
2017: Duke beats NC Central by 53; loses to NU by 10.
Evanstonians 38
Durhamians 28
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It was JJ's meatloaf and my grandma's brisket. Sadly, both are passed now. Will watch game Saturday on empty.
No reason to think we'll get pressure off the edge, or that whoever plays corner opposite Hartage will lock anybody down. Could happen. Just no reason to believe that right now. Are we going to see a lot of zone coverage with shading to help out opposite Hartage? A classic bend but hope not to break strategy?
I like Duke's QB, and he has some capable RBs and WRs. I also like Cutcliffe. And I am thinking back to the last 2 games with the Blue Devils. If memory serves me, we had several game changing plays in the kicking game (Vault's TD and Long's fumble recovery), several crucial turnovers (Lowry's INT and Igwebuike's and Walker's strips) and a few unexpected big plays on offense (Long's long TD run) that made all the difference in winning those games. Not gonna get those every game. I can see Duke going for 30+. Doubt we hold them to less than 20. 24-30 strikes me as about right. Success passing the ball against light pressure will open the running game for Duke.
Biggest concern is whether the NU OL can do enough to allow our skill guys to do their thing...more often than not.
Last week's prediction from GOUNUII was 31-13 Cats. Not bad.
I'm sticking with the Cats against my more objective judgment. We've been a good road team and the better program for a while now. Cats get a late TD to win 27-24
GOUNUII.
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Cats 41
Doogs 14
Dukes first game did nothing to challenge them but revealed all their schemes.
NU's OL figures a few things out.
Moe Almasri becomes the next NU folk hero.
All the grad transfers make noteworthy contributions.
The commentators note that while some teams use Community colleges as feeder schools. NU uses graduate transfers from established programs.
We feel like champions and Palindrome can't stop saying the score.
Doogs 14
Dukes first game did nothing to challenge them but revealed all their schemes.
NU's OL figures a few things out.
Moe Almasri becomes the next NU folk hero.
All the grad transfers make noteworthy contributions.
The commentators note that while some teams use Community colleges as feeder schools. NU uses graduate transfers from established programs.
We feel like champions and Palindrome can't stop saying the score.
I guess we'll have to wait and see. I like what i saw in the second half from our defense. Nevada was difficult to prepare for and a lot of the big plays we gave up were a function of miscommunication. Those things will get cleaned up and I think Duke will be a lot more predictable in the way they'll attack us. Jones is a good QB but not as good as Thorson is right now. Their backs and WRs don't scare me.
I'll take the double -
Northwestern 34
Duke 17
After watching the NEV game again, I think our OL will continue to improve and will be pretty good. Defensive secondary will have to overcome injuries, but Walsh is showing good leadership at linebacker and our DL will improve every game, with the Miller brothers, Gaz, and Earnest Brown IV becoming impact players next to Lanny and Jordan T.
Northwestern 34
Duke 17
After watching the NEV game again, I think our OL will continue to improve and will be pretty good. Defensive secondary will have to overcome injuries, but Walsh is showing good leadership at linebacker and our DL will improve every game, with the Miller brothers, Gaz, and Earnest Brown IV becoming impact players next to Lanny and Jordan T.
There's a gear trailer that sells Blue Devil catheter bags. You can also put beer in them and use in reverse.
...and the Negative Nellies that are now saying that Duke is going to beat us because they are so much better than we are switch to saying how our win did not prove anything because Duke was so bad... or we just had some lucky plays... or we relied on big plays... or we relied too much on our defense... or we relied too much on our offense... or we relied too much on our special teams... etc... etc... etc.
IDK if Duke's run defense necessarily improved this season, as they had some attrition up front, and they lost three starters (of 5) and their top backup from last season in the secondary. I think our defense is also better than last week showed. JJ or Thor could have huge days.
Cats 35-20
Cats 35-20