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| thesportsbank.net |
News has come out of Evanston that Dan Persa is doubtful for Saturday’s game against Boston College. Of course this is from collegeinjuryreport.com, which is a webpage primarily used for gambling. EVR is guessing that the true story is being kept close to the cuff. It will remain to be seen what sort of effect this has on the Wildcat offense. Reports are the Kain Colter has played well but he has admitted that he does not quite have his timing down with Jeremy Ebert and Drake Dunsmore. There are a lot of concerns among Cat fans that Colter is only going to be a running quarterback; but EVR reminds everyone that the same concern was raised with Dan Persa going into 2010 and Mike Kafka going into 2009.
The bigger question going into BC on Saturday is the health of BC’s defensive secondary. Safety Spenser Rositano is questionable with concussion symptoms. Rositano was not expected to be a starter, but has risen to that role due to the recent departures of starting safeties Dominick LeGarnde and Okechukwu Okoroha. Starting corner and Bednarik Award candidate Donnie Fletcher is doubtful with a back injury. This is certainly going to put some holes in the BC secondary, which may make things a little easier for Colter. Colter’s running threat may also put the reins on the BC pass rush, so he should have some time to throw. More on this tomorrow.
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| chicagobreakingsports.com |
Speaking of running, Mike Trumpy has gone a long way in the last two weeks of regaining the confidence in his coaches. Fitz said that he has improved his consistency, while Mike admits that he was rusty and not mentally focused when he arrived at camp. Fitz admits that the team is still looking for a “bell cow” running back, but that Trumpy has gone a long way to getting to that point. Fitz also suggested that true freshman Treyvon Green could get some snaps on Saturday. Without a lot of depth at RB, it is almost certain that one of the freshmen will be called upon to play. Looks like Green is going to get the first shot at it.
Recruiting News
NU had a great week from a recruiting standpoint, claiming three new Wildcats for the 2012 class. The biggest get was Greg Kuhar, a defensive Tackle from Lakewood St. Edwards in Cleveland – a school which is becoming a nice pipeline for the Cats. Kuhar backed up his decision with a great performance in his Eagles’ 17-14 win over public school power Cleveland Glenville. Kuhar recorded a few tackles for loss, including a sack.
NU also picked up a pair of their typical “under-the-radar” guys over the weekend; Linebacker Jaylen Prater, from Wellston, Ohio and DB Terrance Brown from Los Alamitos, CA. Neither Jaylen nor Terrance has been reviewed by Rivals at this point in time.
There were some great performances by Wildcat 2012 commits over the weekend. Joseph Jones, who is expected to play DB for the Cats, played a major role in his Plano (IL) team’s 49-3 rout of Lisle. Jones caught touchdown passes of 85 and 77 yards. He finished with 220 yards and three touchdowns on just nine touches. DE Dean Lowry, from Rockford (IL) Boylan was a force on a defense that forced nine fumbles in a 28-0 shutout. Finally, Chris Fitzpatrick, a linebacker who will long-snap for the Cats, helped a defense that allowed just 46 second-half yards on the way to a 42-7 win for Anderson County (KY).
Big Ten Preview
Here is how EVR sees the Big Ten shaking out this season:
Legends Division:
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| bleacherreport.net |
1 Nebraska: The new kids on the block come in with a load of talent on defense and a highly proficient offense. Taylor Martinez would be an all-conference contender, if he were not in the same division as Dan Persa and Denard Robinson. Nebraska may have some growing pains and has tough games at Madison and home against the Buckeyes back-to-back. But they have the talent to finish on a nice win streak and a 10-2 (6-2) record: BCS at-large Bowl.
2 Michigan State: Look for Michigan State to start slow this year. The young offensive line and younger defense will need to find themselves in the first half of the season. Early losses to Notre Dame, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Nebraska will leave the team disheartened. But a strong finish should put them at 8-4 (5-3) and in the Outback Bowl.
T-3 Northwestern: Regardless of what happens in the BC game, the offense should be able to tread water long enough to get Persa healthy for the Illinois game on October 1st. NU gets a scheduling break by avoiding OSU and Wisconsin and getting three straight home games to end the season. A final game loss to MSU will be disappointing, but it will be, overall, a relatively successful season at 8-4 (4-4) and the Gator Bowl.
T-3 Iowa: For the first time in a while, Iowa’s offense is going to have to win their games for them, as the defense will be strong and have holes to fill. Running back and quarterback play will dictate how this team finishes. There are no really tough back to back games on the Hawkeyes schedule – and they also avoid OSU and Wisconsin. But they are not a solid team and will be upset by one of the bottom three. They’ll close out the season with a loss to Nebraska on the day after Thanksgiving to finish 8-4 (4-4) and attend the Meineke Car Care Bowl on New Years’ Eve.
5 Michigan: Big Blue has seen a run of seasons where they have started fast and dropped off down the stretch. 2011 will be no different. The team will upset Notre Dame at home and gain some confidence with a 5-0 start. But losses at both Evanston and East Lansing, along with a brutal final stretch of Iowa – Illinois – Nebraska and Ohio State – where they will be lucky to pull off one win to finish 7-5 (3-5) and sneak into the Ticketcity Bowl.
6 Minnesota: Minnesota has one of the best unknown quarterbacks on the country, but he will get overshadowed all season by the stars of his own division. Especially since he will be getting beaten up all season. The defense is just not strong enough to contain the levels of offense on the schedule. They’ll finish was an upset win against Illinois, to complete a 4-8 (1-7) freshman year for Jerry Kill.
Leaders Division
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| espn.com |
1 Wisconsin: The Badgers were the safest bet for 2011 going into the summer; and the addition of Russell Wilson seals the deal. While he is not going to tear up the league, he is a solid proven quarterback will should fit right into the system in Madison. The only blemish will be in Columbus, which will keep the Badgers from playing for the BCS Title. They will play Nebraska in the Big Ten Title Game; and given that Wisconsin is the known commodity, EVR will pick the Badgers – to finish them at 11-1 (7-1) and a spot in the Rose Bowl.
2 Ohio State: There was great temptation to drop the Buckeyes to number three here. This will be a roller coaster ride of a season for the Buckeyes, who will have trouble keeping focus among all the issues. Big wins against Wisconsin and Nebraska will keep the fans happy, but losses to upset-minded Purdue and upstart Illinois will kill the momentum late. The Bucks will finish up at 10-2 (6-2) and attend the Capital One Bowl.
3 Illinois: For the first time, Illinois seems to be on the upward slope rather than the up and down seasons that the Ron Zook era has experienced. Nathan Scheelhaase is a future superstar and the defense is back and ready to roll. The win against Ohio State will be a signature on the season, but late losses to Wisconsin and Minnesota will kill their outside shot at the Title game. The Ilini finishes 9-3 (5-3) and goes to the Insight Bowl in Tempe.
4 Penn State: PSU will be in a holding pattern this year, as they have not really declined, but there is nothing on their roster to suggest that they will be that much better. They will lose but not be embarrassed by Alabama. After beating Northwestern in Evanston, there will be some hope for a really nice finish. But a final stretch of Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin will destroy their longshot hopes of finishing in Indianapolis. The Lions finish 6-6 (3-5) and play in the Pizza Bowl.
T-5 Indiana: The Hoosiers will get a coach that has seen a great deal of success on offense, and their defense last year was under-rated. But they just do not have the talent to compete just yet. A win against Virginia at home will give the Bloomington fans a glimpse of the future. But then a harsh dose of the present relegates the Hoosiers to a 6-6 (2-6) record and an outside shot at a non-Big Ten Bowl Game.
T-5 Purdue: Purdue was set up to have a little more success this season until quarterback Rob Henry went down with a knee injury. This is a program that has been decimated with injuries over the last two years and despite starting 4-1, the season will take its toll. Look for one late upset, EVR picks OSU, but a disappointing 5-7 (2-6) year.
OK so maybe 44-4 non-conference is a little too optimistic. But it is not out of the realm of possibilities that the Big Ten could end up with 10 bowl-eligible teams in 2011.
Game Preview tomorrow!! And then GameDay.
Go Cats!
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