So Northwestern is 6-6: Thoughts.
by Rodger Sherman on Nov 30, 2011 2:59 PM CST
in 2011 Northwestern Wildcats Football
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PrintSo, Northwestern is 6-6. (I'm good at writing headlines.)
This is pretty disappointing considering how talented Northwestern's senior class is - we'll miss Dan Persa, Jeremy Ebert, Vince Browne (even if he wasn't notable this year), Drake Dunsmore, Al Netter, et. al. - but it's pretty cool considering Northwestern was once upon a time 2-5. Things could have gone better - not beating an inferior Army team, blowing leads against Illinois and Michigan - and for a fourth consecutive year, NU won a game less than the year before, but here we are.
Now let's get some things straight.
- It's imperative that Northwestern play in a bowl game this year. It won't be a good game, and we won't play a good team, and we might still lose, and even if we win, it will mean NU will get its first bowl-winning experience in a crappy bowl nobody will remember and all the awkwards will happen. But, well, it's imperative. Northwestern football has a monkey on its back. Scratch that: Northwestern football has a howling, constipated silverback gorilla defecating on its back: not only has Northwestern not won a bowl game in over six decades, the country's longest active streak, we also have lost more consecutive bowl games than any other team. Winning the Motor City Bowl or whatever won't be fun, but it's not so much about this year, which hasn't been fun aside from Nebraska and wouldn't be regardless of what happens in the bowl, but it's about the program. Right now, Northwestern is a team that can't win a bowl. It's a joke, a barb for opposing fans, something coaches at any other school can tell recruits and there's nothing NU can do about it. Nothing NU can do about it besides winning a bowl game. Regardless of where it is, who it's against, regardless of how silly a system that sends over half its teams to meaningless games is, NU has to win a bowl game, and we have a shot this year. Poo-poo the Pizza Pizza bowl all you want, but it gives NU an opportunity to do something it hasn't done in decades.
- That said, I haven't really looked at potential bowl games or opponents because it's too depressing. If Northwestern doesn't make a bowl, this site is turning into a Gossip Girl blog for a week.
- I don't say this often, because I respect the right of all of you to have your viewpoints on my site (unless you make fun of the Knicks in which case I ban you immediately with no thought whatsoever), but let me say it once and for all: if you think Northwestern should fire Pat Fitzgerald because the team went 6-6 this year, you're what we in the business call "stupid". This viewpoint fits a very slim minority of Northwestern fans, but I feel the need to rebut here. Northwestern had a sub-par season and Pat Fitzgerald could have done things better to make the season better. He's the second-longest tenured coach in the conference and hasn't come close to winning a conference championship. But he hasn't done anything remotely fireable, and right now the program is in a state where an off year results in being 6-6 and in a bowl game. If you genuinely think that (replacement coach Northwestern could grab off the scrap heap) would bring more value to Northwestern than Pat Fitzgerald, I feel that it isn't worth my time to list all the reasons you are incorrect in the comments section, so, don't start.
- Let's take a moment to praise Dan Persa. His team went 6-6 his senior season - 4-5 in games he played - and it so completely isn't on him it's not funny. He led the nation in completion percentage and kept Northwestern in games their defense couldn't win. He threw some silly picks and went from an all-Big Ten QB to not even on the list - damn you Russell Wilson! - but still, respect a dope career, hope it has another game in it. (His first bowl game, mind you.)
- I remembered having more stuff to write, but, well, I guess that's it.
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Very disappointing season
But I’ve gone through the five stages of grief and have settled on numbness. I never understood the whole “win a bowl” gist. Yes it would be nice to win a bowl so people don’t keep saying we haven’t won one since 1949, but it’s way down on the list of priorities for me. Winning games, staying competiive, getting the most out of the team, getting better each year. Very very few people will care who wins the Motor City Bowl, including me.
agreed it's down on the list of priorities
but considering where NU is now at 6-6, it’s the only priority left this year.
by Rodger Sherman on Nov 30, 2011 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
Forget firing him.
That is a moot point. He could have gone 0-12, and he would not be fired when he was given an extension till 2020. Even if I wanted him fired (which I don’t), it is a unrealistic conversation.
But, what does the future bring? I credit Fitz for making me believe the floor for this team is 3-5, no matter how bad it will be, I feel this team will be 3-5. So, going forward, I will expect them at a minimum to make a bowl game, and for many NU fans, that is fantastic.
But, this is a program that has won Big Ten championships (relatively recently), and it is not unrealistic to have that goal. I’m not asking NU be in the Big Ten title hunt every year, but I am asking to think it will happen once every 4-5 seasons. After this season, I have ZERO faith in Pat F winning a Big Ten title. We can debate in circles about recruiting ranking, motivational techniques, getting some new offensive/defensive coordinators, facilities improvements, more national exposure through Big Ten network, and silly marketing campaigns, but bottom line, in a year where it was supposed to be our year, NU went 3-5 with a loss to Army.
I repeat, NU has gone from 9-3 to 6-6 in four seasons. When NU went 9-3, I really did feel that Fitz was a guy that could be excellent, but I have seen a decline and don’t have any faith in him to win a Big Ten title.
To be honest, I’m not sure how many fans, alumni, players, coaches, administators, etc, even have the goal of winning a Big Ten title. There are many people happy with a 4-4 or 5-3 type season and heading to the Outback bowl, but BCS, or even Citrus, ha, that seems impossible to get to.
Looking at next year’s schedule, I’ll predict what NU did this year, 6-6 (3-5). Loss will be either Vanderbilt or Syracuse and conference wins will be probably be Ind, PSU, and Minnesota.
Wow, what a stagnant program, and I’m curious to see what the hype train creates this season. I don’t think it’ll be anywhere near what it was these past two seasons. I saw the attendance at the last two home games, not good, not good at all.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Nov 30, 2011 3:12 PM CST reply actions
But, what does the future bring?
To list a few possibilities, all of which are valid since the future is limitless and unknown:
- A run of 10 straight B1G championships by Northwestern
- Northwestern continuing its bowl eligibility streak for another 20 years, but never winning a single B1G championship game in that time (i.e. endless 7-5 to 9-3 type seasons)
- Northwestern selling out every single home game for 3 straight seasons
- Northwestern building a lakefront stadium
- Northwestern deciding fuck it, let’s not field a football team anymore, let’s instead concentrate on building boxing robots
- Northwestern scrapping football for lacrosse, and kicking every east coast school’s ass
- Northwestern becoming an ice hockey powerhouse
- Fitz being named head coach of the Bears, then quitting after 2 Super Bowl victories to be mayor of Chicago, and then being elected President and offering a stirring victory speech from the Lakefill in which he announces that his first act as President will be officially naming Northwestern as Chicago’s Big Ten team.
So, yes — I did not in any way respond to (or even read) your inane list of critiques about what the future holds for Northwestern, because frankly, none of us have any clue.
What we do have a clue about? Fitz will be the head coach next season. Phillips will be the A.D. And every respected member of the media, every opposing coach, and every player we recruit (successfully or unsuccessfully) says the same thing — Fitz is phenomenal, Northwestern plays tough football and is a very good/talented team, and the team is only getting better/building towards greater long-term success.
And I’m perfectly fine with all of that.
i like your enthusiasm
but “it’s true because everyone says it’s true” does not a convincing argument make.
by pfoley on Nov 30, 2011 5:26 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Your analysis is incredible.
I know you love Fitz, but wow, it blows my mind to what degree. You get so defensive when anyone attacks Fitz.
Bottom line, the record doesn’t lie. Hope you enjoy New Mexico Bowl.
Also, when you tell me how much enthusiasm Fitz brings to the program, please explain the attendance at the Rice, Minnesota, and the MSU game (season finale against a top 10 team).
What happened, where were all the Fitz lovers? Could it be that a four game losing streak made them wonder?
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Nov 30, 2011 8:16 PM CST up reply actions
For me absolutely not. Quite frankly I just do not feel like any good can come from engaging in a conversation with you.
You’ve said many times you understand you have a different philosophy than many fans…OK i get it. Idk maybe its just upcoming frustration about my BS finals but it seems like other posters have two options: 1. Admit they think Fitz is the best coach for the job and get berated for having a fundamental differing view where neither person can be swayed or 2. Become your BFF for stating their displeasure for Fitz. To be honest neither option is appealing and thus many people abstain since most of your banter simply doesn’t seem constructive (at least to me).
Anyway, thats my piece. But don’t for a second think that I’m losing confidence in Fitz because I am not posting in your “WTF where is the progresssss” posts
by JerseyShore@NU on Nov 30, 2011 10:34 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd for this.
Quite frankly I just do not feel like any good can come from engaging in a conversation with you.
Why is Fitz the best man for the job?
Don’t you think other coaches could do a better job? I know the immediate response is, well who would take this job? How do you know someone wouldn’t take it?
I know you haven’t lost faith in Fitz, and that’s great. But returning a 6-6 season from a easy schedule, bad nonconf games, senior loaded roster, and a 1st-team All Big Ten QB doesn’t make you wonder about Fitz’s abilities, nothing will.
Look at the schedules in 2013 and 2014, not only does OSU and Wisc replace Indiana and PSU, but our nonconf includes Cal, an improving Vanderbilt, and then Notre Dame. It is definitely not getting easier.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Dec 1, 2011 8:19 AM CST up reply actions
Is my face blue yet?
I credit Fitz for making me believe the floor for this team is 3-5, no matter how bad it will be, I feel this team will be 3-5.
That’s the beauty of a floor, isn’t it? That teams can only go higher than there.
This is a program that has won Big Ten championships (relatively recently)
8-0 in ‘95, 7-1 in ’96, 6-2 in ’00. How many game, this season, were we that far out of? I understand, “wins are all that matters” to you. You’ve made that clear. Don’t bother saying it again. Answer me, in your heart of hearts, do you believe that Northwestern is really that far away, based on what you’ve seen, from doing that again?
After this season, I have ZERO faith in Pat F winning a Big Ten title.
You had faith before this season? Sorry, that’s less topical.
I’m not asking NU be in the Big Ten title hunt every year, but I am asking to think it will happen once every 4-5 seasons.
/counts on hand
//hits head against wall once more
///ends it
in a year where it was supposed to be our year, NU went 3-5 with a loss to Army.
This was also supposed to be the year for Florida State, Oklahoma, Arizona State, among others… Oh hell, who am I kidding.
To be honest, I’m not sure how many fans, alumni, players, coaches, administators, etc, even have the goal of winning a Big Ten title
Oh, so you have Jim Philips and Pat Fitzgerald on line 1? Obviously you don’t have me on line 1 (and thank God), because that’s definitely my goal, and I think everyone’s here.
Looking at next year’s schedule, I’ll predict what NU did this year, 6-6 (3-5).
You just like predicting things, don’t you?
Wow, what a stagnant program
I..just…don’t understand you. Seriously? This is stagnant? Never before has NU been bowl eligible 5 straight years (and gone—fingers crossed—4 straight years). Never. Ever. I know that your hard-on for Walker and Barnett may not have subsided yet, but seriously, complain about scheduling then stop and think. Regardless of era, schedule, players, coaches, when have we done this?! This is uncharter territory for ‘Cats football. You seem to be the guy who wants to reverse course because you think the captain’s crazy.
Whatever, this is long enough. Ayan, you’re driving me insane with all this bullshit, because nothing this program does, apparently, can satisfy you. Accept that Fitz is the coach. Try being positive about something. I’ll see you in Detroit, if you want to go and not bitch about the fact that we’re there. Go ’Cats.
by MNWildcat on Dec 1, 2011 12:59 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Thank you Rodger
if you think Northwestern should fire Pat Fitzgerald because the team went 6-6 this year, you’re what we in the business call “stupid”
Oh, and the Knicks suck!
by GTom on Nov 30, 2011 3:14 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
Where has anyone ever said Fitz should be fired?
I’ve yet to see that from even the biggest Fitz haters.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Nov 30, 2011 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
sorry i didn't pick up on the subtlety
i kinda started tuning out the fitz discussions earlier in the year.
by Rodger Sherman on Nov 30, 2011 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
That's fair.
I know how tough the back/forth w/Chad and I can be for other readers.
I’ve always said he is overrated by media due to his personality, and that if you had to rank the coaches in the Big Ten, he would be near the bottom.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Nov 30, 2011 3:27 PM CST up reply actions
Mostly LTP
Not so much here, but there were a few calls for a change after some of the games this season. Most won’t come out and say it directly, either – there are just comments like “Fitz needs a stern talking to and he needs to be on notice for next year” or some BS like that. And by the way, I put you in that camp, NUAC2002 (“Fitzgerald is Delusional” is not exactly a ringing endorsement for future employment).
On the other hand… fire Carmody (and I still hope I look like an idiot saying that after we make the Sweet Sixteen)!
Gotcha.
Yea, I primarily come here and Rivals for my NU fan coverage. GTom, you are correct, I’m not a fan of Fitz and think he has become bigger than the position, etc, blah, blah, but I don’t think NU has standards that are so high that warrant him being fired. Forget the contract, but in general, if you tell the fans, players, admin, etc that the worst year is a bowl game, 99% of people would take it. I don’t have to, but majority do.
Yes, I am not a Carmody supporter and do advocate that he should be fired, but I do recognize that we’re in season and there is plenty of time for that later.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Nov 30, 2011 3:32 PM CST up reply actions
this is reasonable.
I’d agree Fitz is bigger than the position. Some of us just don’t mind.
by Rodger Sherman on Nov 30, 2011 3:41 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
But remember that Fitz is frustrated, too.
Imagine if Fitz went to Northwestern, battled through two bowl games as a player, and was currently working in insurance sales somewhere and writing comments on this blog and LTP. What do you think he would say? He wouldn’t be calling for the coach’s ouster, but he’d be frustrated as hell and I bet his comments would be tough for some in polite company to take. Did you see what he said about himself and the coaching staff after the MSU game? He’s his own harshest critic, which is great, so if people here that bleed purple get a little worked up on posts, hey, I think it’s a good thing. It shows this fan base is passionate, if small, and that’s what we want. Reasonable passion, I suppose, if such a thing exists.
As difficult as the regular season was for us, NU football and basketball nonetheless have a chance to finally rid ourselves of the “No Bowl” / “Never Been Asked To Dance” problems. We could (could) still have a five month stretch here (going back to Nebraska) of unparalleled success in our major sports programs. It’s by no means certain, we all know how tantalizing close to success we seem to come year after year after year, but still, there’s a chance.
I hope in four months Loretta8 is tweeting "Welcome people who found SoP googling ‘how the f*ck did NU win a bowl and make the dance in the same school year?’ "
For all the excuse makers for NU sports.
This is what WINNING coaches do. NU athletics have some awesome coaches right now, probably the best overable stable since I’ve been a fan.
http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/113011aab.html
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Nov 30, 2011 3:41 PM CST reply actions
Maybe I don't understand coachspeak
But this quote from Fitz is very confusing. He directly contradicts himself:
We’ve got a long way to go as far as the program to get ourselves to Indianapolis. I don’t think we’re that far away. That’s probably what is most disappointing to me right now. How darn close we are, and for us not to coach our guys well enough to get over that point is incredibly disappointing for me for our seniors.
You Kidz Today...
Don’t remember the Real Bad Old Days when NU lost way more than they won… Now they win more than they loose, and the games are exciting too. – BONUS!
Overall, I think this year went pretty damn good, what with Persa on the bench early on. I do hope that in the future, Fitz begins to move some of his better recruits to defense, instead of just offense. Defense was the Achilles heel of this team.
Just because
they win more than they used to does not excuse 6-6 seasons…
Yeah, isn't the idea that we're supposed to try and get better?
Fitz certainly seems to think so, he wants to go to Indianapolis.
Thank you NUFanDan.
That logic gets NU no where. Hell a 2-10 season would be better than some of the 1980’s teams. NU is not battling teams from its past, but rather present day competition.
I respect that NU Dad likes what he is seeing compared to the past, but there shouldn’t be anything stopping from NU winning more than 6-6.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Nov 30, 2011 8:49 PM CST up reply actions
Well I'm excited
I think this program is headed up.
We are on the verge of signing the best class in the Fitz era, which could really be special if we close the deal on some of the four-stars who have us as finalists.
We have more depth than I can remember. Yeah, a lot of it is very young, but we are seeing those freshmen and sophomores push and sometimes beat out the upperclassmen. Look at Vitabile, Siemian, C. Jones as just three examples.
Sure we had a disappointing year, and it raises my major question: Is our coaching staff capable of producing that Big Ten winner? It was disheartening to see us give up so many key plays in the middle of the season because of mental mistakes. It is really disheartening to see us give up third and longs at a ridiculous percentage every time we go into a three-man rush. I will be very interested to see if there are any adjustments to the staff on the defensive side of the ball. We play way too passive a scheme for my taste.
All that said, as somebody else wrote, being 6-6 and being DISAPPOINTED is a far cry from where we have been in the past. We have building to do, but I think we have laid a really solid foundation.
I like many things you said.
I do agree that Fitz’s newest recruiting class has some promise.
But, I would COMPLETELY agree w/you about the foundation being solid at 6-6 if this was a young team with an extremely difficult schedule. But, this program was at 9-3 and in the Outback Bowl a few years ago, and now is barely going to make a bowl game. But this is a mature team that massively underachieved and that ‘foundation’ will be gone next year.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Dec 1, 2011 9:33 AM CST up reply actions
Here's the thing...
…about expectations — when you have them, sometimes you fail to meet them.
I know you (well, maybe not you) and I and the pundits all thought THIS was the year. And it wasn’t. I won’t go thru the littany of reasons why you could rationally explain our performance, but we were clearly disappointed.
But that disappointment is borne out of expectations — guesswork by ALL of us as to how well this team would play. Obviously, we were missing some key pieces (a CB to pair with Mabin, linebackers to step up to replace Davie/Williams, etc.), but the only reason we’re all disappointed is because WE GOT OUR HOPES UP based on stuff (returning seniors, Persa’s recovery, belief that guys would naturally improve) that we couldn’t possibly know would happen….and many of those things DID NOT happen. In short, our “foundation” had cracks that you and I and none of the pundits out there could see.
Next year, you seem to think we’lll be terrible due to departing talent and the schedule, and struggle to make it to 6-6. Fine. So be it.
But if Northwestern comes out and goes 7-5 or better (in a year you and probably everyone else thinks they’ll struggle), I expect to hear calls praising Fitz and the coaching staff for exceeding all expectations….
Agreed.
Chad, if NU exceeds expectations of next year to the tune of 8-4, I ABSOLUTELY will praise Fitz. I’m not a fan of him NOW, but I could be wrong and will acknowledge/credit him then.
But, be fair, if I praise him if he exceeds expectations, then you have to criticize if he FAILS to reach expectations.
It is a two way street.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Dec 2, 2011 6:19 PM CST up reply actions
Not at all satisfied with this season
But I feel optimistic about our future, both short and medium term. Now let’s win a bowl game.
Some great points . . .
Hey, on another note. Remember that time that the Knicks lost to the Rockets in the Finals? Yeah, that was awesome.
"I drank what?" - Socrates
by Damon1212 on Dec 1, 2011 2:48 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Some Perspective
I’m not a big Fitz fan, but I appreciate what we have. Had Walker lived and had the same opportunities to go to real football schools that Fitz has had, he’d be long gone. Fitz has, what I am beginning to believe based on many of the comments here, foolish loyalty to NU. Of course, that’s sort of another mark against him. If he gets another opportunity, he should grab it.
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