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State of the Program

T

torque-cat

Redshirt
Dec 11, 2018
1,234
0
0
2 Big Ten West Titles in 3 Years
5 winning seasons in the past 6
Dominant record in the big ten over the past 6 seasons (something like 35-10)
Chance at 4th top 25 finish in past 6 seasons
Consistently top APR rankings and graduation rates in the country
Zero covid cases the entire season (talk about commitment, discipline, teamwork and some good fortune)
Consistently among the least penalized teams in America

Big Ten football with Ivy league type academics
Chicago in the backyard
Elite facilities
Increasing success getting guys into NFL careers
Highest retention rate of any program (I suspect)
Greatest continuity in coaching of nearly any program (I suspect)
Huge success getting younger brothers to commit (speaking to player experience and family trust)

Top 25 football program, top 10 academic school and arguably the #1 player experience across the board under Fitz. We can always ask for more, but in reality I believe we have the best program in America when considering all of the above and we should appreciate it while we have it. We are losing arguably the best DC in America and the best AD. These types of perfect alignments don't happen often--enjoy it while it lasts--even while hoping for more.
 
TheC

TheC

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
19,242
1,337
62
torque-cat said:
2 Big Ten West Titles in 3 Years
5 winning seasons in the past 6
Dominant record in the big ten over the past 6 seasons (something like 35-10)
Chance at 4th top 25 finish in past 6 seasons
Consistently top APR rankings and graduation rates in the country
Zero covid cases the entire season (talk about commitment, discipline, teamwork and some good fortune)
Consistently among the least penalized teams in America

Big Ten football with Ivy league type academics
Chicago in the backyard
Elite facilities
Increasing success getting guys into NFL careers
Highest retention rate of any program (I suspect)
Greatest continuity in coaching of nearly any program (I suspect)
Huge success getting younger brothers to commit (speaking to player experience and family trust)

Top 25 football program, top 10 academic school and arguably the #1 player experience across the board under Fitz. We can always ask for more, but in reality I believe we have the best program in America when considering all of the above and we should appreciate it while we have it. We are losing arguably the best DC in America and the best AD. These types of perfect alignments don't happen often--enjoy it while it lasts--even while hoping for more.
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This is fantastic. The only thing I'd caution is that there is one thing missing and I suspect it matters to recruits... a rabid fan base. We don't play in front of 80,000+ fans clad in purple and white. While we will never get to that point, I sure hope the gameday experience in Evanston can become a little more exciting.
 
E

eastbaycat99

Sophomore
Mar 7, 2009
2,524
184
48
When Stanford visited Evanston in 2015, they were, pretty indisputably, the top school as far as the combination of football prowess and academics. I think NU has passed them, and with the woes of the PAC 12 that have arisen, I think they will be in the rear view mirror. In reality, I think the school that NU is in the dual academic/football recognition race with is ND.
 
P

philconnors12345

All-American
Nov 20, 2017
8,735
5,805
0
eastbaycat99 said:
When Stanford visited Evanston in 2015, they were, pretty indisputably, the top school as far as the combination of football prowess and academics. I think NU has passed them, and with the woes of the PAC 12 that have arisen, I think they will be in the rear view mirror. In reality, I think the school that NU is in the dual academic/football recognition race with is ND.
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Stanford is lower than where they were but they had a run where they win several conference titles. It would be nice to see Northwestern do that.
 
H

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
38,070
4,052
67
Plenty of accolades and assets for NU football. Coach Fitz and his staff, Mr. Jim, the university trustees, and the players deserve the credit for these accomplishments. As a grad minted in 1989, I never could have envisioned a day where NU had risen from the ashes of the Dark Ages. Just a reminder that nothing in life is permanent.

As for the team of the field, it's competitive, but, like the vast majority of programs, we are looking up a steep wall at a select group of programs that compete annually in the CFP. It is remarkable how top heavy college football is in terms of elite talent.

This oligarchy won't last forever (see my point in first paragraph), but the situation is daunting for a school that wants to break into the inner sanctum. Like pro football and basketball, you need a transcendent player, like a Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Vince Young, etc. All of these guys put good teams on their backs and made them NC contenders.

Though OSU shredded our run defense in the second half, it was remarkable how our defense held that team in check. If we had Indiana's offense with Penix and a few other playmakers, we very likely win that game. OSU was vulnerable on defense (the CFP is going to be a rude one for the Bucks, methinks).

So, it is pretty obvious what upgrades we would need to see in order to make this leap. We have a LOT to offer college athletes. Just have to land some of those difference makers!
 
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Z

zeek55

Junior
Nov 21, 2010
3,651
277
83
eastbaycat99 said:
When Stanford visited Evanston in 2015, they were, pretty indisputably, the top school as far as the combination of football prowess and academics. I think NU has passed them, and with the woes of the PAC 12 that have arisen, I think they will be in the rear view mirror. In reality, I think the school that NU is in the dual academic/football recognition race with is ND.
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It'll be interesting to see if recent struggles with some of our peers helps us in recruiting.

Just looking at how bad Duke/Vanderbilt/Syracuse are this year for example; seems like all 3 of those programs completely cratered this year. Would have to think our relative success on the field should help us really separate for the top football recruits also seeking top academics.

Stanford's always going to be tough to battle due to the strength their academic brand has and it's West Coast location.
 
F

Fanaticat98

Senior
May 29, 2001
9,080
692
113
eastbaycat99 said:
When Stanford visited Evanston in 2015, they were, pretty indisputably, the top school as far as the combination of football prowess and academics. I think NU has passed them, and with the woes of the PAC 12 that have arisen, I think they will be in the rear view mirror. In reality, I think the school that NU is in the dual academic/football recognition race with is ND.
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In football maybe. Stanford’s athletic enterprise and their geographic advantage will not be surpassed by NU.
 
N

NJCat

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2016
21,477
1,643
113
Can't disagree with anything you wrote in the OP. But this spate of transfer is really worrying. All the talk of "NU Football Family" sounds a little hollow with the number of guys bailing on the program after a really strong season.

This isn't a good omen.
 
J

JoeWildcat

Sophomore
Jul 31, 2001
2,725
133
46
Fitzphile said:
Can't disagree with anything you wrote in the OP. But this spate of transfer is really worrying. All the talk of "NU Football Family" sounds a little hollow with the number of guys bailing on the program after a really strong season.

This isn't a good omen.
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I agree. It is one thing when players who are not getting much playing time enter the portal, but when starters are doing it, that is troubling.
 
W

willycat

Junior
Jan 11, 2005
21,448
318
0
Hungry Jack said:
Plenty of accolades and assets for NU football. Coach Fitz and his staff, Mr. Jim, the university trustees, and the players deserve the credit for these accomplishments. As a grad minted in 1989, I never could have envisioned a day where NU had risen from the ashes of the Dark Ages. Just a reminder that nothing in life is permanent.

As for the team of the field, it's competitive, but, like the vast majority of programs, we are looking up a steep wall at a select group of programs that compete annually in the CFP. It is remarkable how top heavy college football is in terms of elite talent.

This oligarchy won't last forever (see my point in first paragraph), but the situation is daunting for a school that wants to break into the inner sanctum. Like pro football and basketball, you need a transcendent player, like a Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Vince Young, etc. All of these guys put good teams on their backs and made them NC contenders.

Though OSU shredded our run defense in the second half, it was remarkable how our defense held that team in check. If we had Indiana's offense with Penix and a few other playmakers, we very likely win that game. OSU was vulnerable on defense (the CFP is going to be a rude one for the Bucks, methinks).

So, it is pretty obvious what upgrades we would need to see in order to make this leap. We have a LOT to offer college athletes. Just have to land some of those difference makers!
Click to expand...
Admissions is still a problem.
 
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