The Momentum Game, Week 9: Before the Panic Button

Not really sure what to say about the BCS. I think that regardless of what Boise State does, there will always be a team waiting in the wings to jump them. They might yet have hope if Nevada continues to win, however. Look for the upset special against Auburn and Oregon, the top two teams in the BCS. Okay, maybe just Oregon. Auburn is playing hapless Ole Miss this week.

Meanwhile, a minor upset and a big beatdown shake up things for this week, but that's about it. With no more rambling from me, here are this week's participants in the Momentum Game:

Thoughts From Last Week: Persa Needs Help

I've spent most of this week thinking about what this team needs in order to make it over the hump for the rest of the season. I can't really say that our team made any costly moves that killed our chances against Michigan State, aside perhaps for that fumble in the red zone during the first half. We ended up being bested by the better team, and although I wish we would have won, I can settle for the effort that was made on the field. But I do have some other concerns that I'd like to share. Hop inside and I'll impart them...

The Momentum Game, Week 8: Two Weeks Later

Since I didn't post last week, I'm sure you'll see a lot more moving around in the Momentum game. Much of the college football world has been shaken up, including Alabama's loss to South Carolina, Nebraska's first loss of the season, and LSU's unwillingness to just up and die for a game. Les Miles, why do you torture me so?



Of course, we need to talk Big Ten here. That said, here are our competitors in this week's Momentum Game:

Starting Up Again: Everyone Gets a Mulligan

I had visions, I was in them / I was looking into the mirror / To see a little bit clearer / The rottenness and evil in me.






Alright, I need to fess up and apologize for the lack of updating the past two weeks. I ran into some time where I really needed to catch up on classwork, because I was starting to turn into a bad student. Funny how that happens when one's doing umpteen things aside from classwork, huh? At any rate, things have calmed down and you'll be seeing more posts from me from now on. If I'm going to be gone an extended amount of time, I'll try to keep you all posted.

5 Reasons Purdue Pete Goes Home Crying

I don't know about all of you, but I'm getting pumped about our upcoming match against sacrifice of the Purdue Boilermakers for the football gods. At the beginning of the week, I was still feeling the sting of nearly losing a close battle against Minnesota, but in the past day or so, that has magically gone away. I think that has something to do with karma.

Speaking of karma, our opponents seem to have done something horrific to piss off the Football Powers That Be. The Boilers have had one thing after another go horrifically wrong each week, usually having something to do with injuries. That's why they come visiting us in Evanston with a 2-2 record and seeking a lot of answers from new players. Coach Danny Hope didn't have anything like this planned when we took the head coaching job last year. That said, even if they don't right the ship this year (and I certainly don't think that will happen against us), Hope's probably got another free year before his seat really starts warming up.

More about why we lick Purdue Pete's tears after the break:

The Momentum Game, Week 6: Where "P" Doesn't Equal "mv"

The title above is for all the physics nerds out there. Represent. Now that we've moved into conference play, the Momentum Game is shaking up quite a bit. Several teams have suddenly stopped in their tracks, while others have gained some traction and are moving on up. Northwestern might be slowing down due to some lackluster wins, but hey... would you rather have lost a game?

Without further ado, here are our competitors in The Momentum Game:

1. Ohio State (W4 v Ohio, W4 v Eastern Michigan, W2 @ Illinois)
Well, that last one wasn't quite so easy now, was it? It's funny how games can become a lot harder when you actually take it to the road. That said, this is still the team to beat. Last Week: #1

2. Michigan State (W1 v Notre Dame, W2 v Northern Colorado, W2 v Wisconsin)
No head coach? No problem. This team has definitely stepped it up in recent weeks, but they haven't played anyone on the road yet. I'll be interested in seeing what happens in the Big House on Saturday. LW: #3

Quick Hit: Additional Wildcat Food!

Hey guys,

I'll readily admit that I am not all that aware of the Northwestern sports blogs out there, but I try to look for some when I get the chance. Today I happened upon Black N Purple, another site devoted to NU football and all things Fitz. I've posted it up in my "Wildcat Food" column, and go ahead and show blog writer Bob a little love here.

Weekly Poll: The Running Back Merry-Go-Round

Even after a game where we faced a supposed sieve of a running defense, our starting running back situation remains clear as mud. Mike Trumpy had a decent game (15 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD) but really didn't do anything to establish himself as the #1 back. Arby Fields spent the day on the bench after having two consecutive games where he fumbled away an important scoring drive. And somehow, for some reason, Adonis Smith found his way onto the field to the tune of two carries and 1 yard. Yuck.

So I want to hear from you -- whom should we "feature" (not start) at running back this weekend? Poll's on the left. Let me hear your reasoning in the comments section below!

Poll Watch: The Coaches Make Me Eat My Words

Sorry guys, I've been running a little bit behind right now. I'm one of those guys who does this when he's not stressing out over classes, and well... classes got to me over the weekend. If you want a thorough review of the game, I suggest you hop on over to Lake the Posts for his recap. Although I will say this... if there are two quarterbacks to watch in the Big Eleventy-Twelve, they are Denard Robinson and our man, Dan Persa.

Last week, I speculated that we would not make a showing in either active poll (AP or USA Today). However, after the week that was in college football, it appears that we earned quite a bit just by not losing. More on that after the jump: