Northwestern’s loss bucks trend of clutch play
December 30, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Northwestern had to like its chances with a 3-point lead entering the fourth quarter of the Valero Alamo Bowl against Missouri. And when the game went into overtime, the Wildcats’ upset hopes surged.
Winning close games has been Northwestern’s forte since the 2000 season. The Wildcats entered the Alamodome with a 17-4 [...]
Northwestern’s upset attempt falls just short
December 30, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Northwestern outplayed Missouri for most of the Valero Alamo Bowl.
The Wildcats had a tremendous game plan, made big plays on both sides of the ball and kept Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman from lighting up the Alamodome scoreboard, which seemed like a guarantee entering tonight’s contest. As the biggest [...]
Bowl win remains final hurdle for Northwestern
December 29, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Years from now, Tyrell Sutton will return to Northwestern as a distinguished alum and reminisce with head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
There might also be a little smack talk.
“We’ll have bragging rights just as much as he does,” the senior running back said. “We can talk about our 10-win season compared to his [...]
Valero Alamo Bowl preview
December 29, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
After an embarrassing start, the Big Ten resumes postseason play tonight as No. 23 Northwestern faces No. 21 Missouri in the Valero Alamo Bowl (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). Here’s a quick look at the matchup.
WHO TO WATCH: Northwestern’s offensive backfield of quarterback C.J. Bacher and running back Tyrell Sutton plays its [...]
Bowl picks for Champs Sports, Alamo and Insight
December 24, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
It’s time to forecast the first three Big Ten bowl games. I finished the regular season with a record of 71-17 (80.7 test), but the bowls provide a much tougher challenge.
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL – Wisconsin 27, Florida State 25
This would constitute an upset, given Florida State’s purported edge in speed and [...]
What to watch in the first three Big Ten bowls
December 24, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
After a lengthy hiatus, What to Watch is back as we take a look at the first three Big Ten bowl games.
Champs Sports — Wisconsin vs. Florida State, Dec. 27
Valero Alamo — Northwestern vs. Missouri, Dec. 29
Insight — Minnesota vs. Kansas, Dec. 31
Here are some things to keep an eye on [...]
Big Ten year-end quarterback rankings
December 23, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Big Ten bowl season is nearly here, but with a few days to go, it’s time to begin the year-end position rankings. These won’t be quite as in-depth as the preseason rankings, but I’ll try to get to each position before the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 5.
The rankings begin with [...]
Offseason competition paid off for Northwestern
December 17, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
The most important game Northwestern played took place months before the 2008 season opener against Syracuse.
In an effort to give his players greater ownership, Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald restructured the offseason program, putting a competitive element into every team activity. Whether it was winter conditioning, spring practice, community service projects [...]
Northwestern Wildcats season recap
December 16, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Northwestern didn’t make the big national splash this fall as it did in the mid-1990s, but the program quietly took some key steps on the path to consistent success.
It started with a 4-0 sweep of the nonconference slate, a feat Northwestern hadn’t accomplished since 1963. Even the school’s league title-winning teams [...]
Revisiting my Big Ten preseason predictions
December 11, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
As I told you back when the blog launched in July, please address e-mails to Mr. Idiot. I’m happy to claim that title today as I look back at some of the Big Ten preseason predictions I made this summer.
At least there was some truth to what I wrote: I predict [...]