Folks:
Before this game I had said that it was foolish to view the USC game as a measureing stick and that it would not be anything more than any other non-conference game in that it will effect none of the reasonable goals for this team. I stand on that. The realistic goals of B12 North champs is unaffected. Final ranking in top 25 has been affected --- but not much --- the whole nation knew that NU would be beat soundly. Honestly, I live out of state and the 6 people here that I have spoken to all felt that NU fared better than they had expected.
When a team that has not finished the season ranked in years plays a team that is 60-6 over those same years then no one who is objective would expect anything other than a blowout. This board is interesting to watch --- such emotionalism, up and down like hyper manic depressives --- one week "we are awesome" the next "we stink." People who thought that NU could even remotely hang with USC had such fanciful views because of great dedication to their team (which is a good thing) but --- not a realistic view.
A reasonable goal for this year is to win the B12 North and finished ranked. Neither of these two goals are a lock. Both of these goals are attainable and both could elude us as well. Nothing beyond this can be reasonably expected. NU is a fringe top 25 program --- yes there are ca. 25 programs right now are better than or as good as NU (in terms of the last say 5 years and in view of the present and immediate future). Of course, historically, NU is a top 3 (or arguably the 2 or number 1) program of all time. But, now folks are peer group are programs like Miami (another fallen giant), Boston College, not USC, Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, Ohio State, Florida, etc. Louisville and Boise Stae must be considered better programs at present. Folks just recognize NU is fringe top 25 (we hope).
Now is it bad to be fringe top 25? No. It is great fun to follow a spunky team that fights hard. They never gave up last night against a team whose talent and coaching is several levels up from their own. they hung tough and went down with a fight. Not bad. No need for manic depressive ups and downs if you just stay level-headed and have realistic views. We still have a shot at a B12 N championship and can finish ranked --- lets root the team on toward those goals!
Go Big Red!
Before this game I had said that it was foolish to view the USC game as a measureing stick and that it would not be anything more than any other non-conference game in that it will effect none of the reasonable goals for this team. I stand on that. The realistic goals of B12 North champs is unaffected. Final ranking in top 25 has been affected --- but not much --- the whole nation knew that NU would be beat soundly. Honestly, I live out of state and the 6 people here that I have spoken to all felt that NU fared better than they had expected.
When a team that has not finished the season ranked in years plays a team that is 60-6 over those same years then no one who is objective would expect anything other than a blowout. This board is interesting to watch --- such emotionalism, up and down like hyper manic depressives --- one week "we are awesome" the next "we stink." People who thought that NU could even remotely hang with USC had such fanciful views because of great dedication to their team (which is a good thing) but --- not a realistic view.
A reasonable goal for this year is to win the B12 North and finished ranked. Neither of these two goals are a lock. Both of these goals are attainable and both could elude us as well. Nothing beyond this can be reasonably expected. NU is a fringe top 25 program --- yes there are ca. 25 programs right now are better than or as good as NU (in terms of the last say 5 years and in view of the present and immediate future). Of course, historically, NU is a top 3 (or arguably the 2 or number 1) program of all time. But, now folks are peer group are programs like Miami (another fallen giant), Boston College, not USC, Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, Ohio State, Florida, etc. Louisville and Boise Stae must be considered better programs at present. Folks just recognize NU is fringe top 25 (we hope).
Now is it bad to be fringe top 25? No. It is great fun to follow a spunky team that fights hard. They never gave up last night against a team whose talent and coaching is several levels up from their own. they hung tough and went down with a fight. Not bad. No need for manic depressive ups and downs if you just stay level-headed and have realistic views. We still have a shot at a B12 N championship and can finish ranked --- lets root the team on toward those goals!
Go Big Red!
