Who the fuck is NW??

Chicago's Big Ten Champion

Repeat as Chicago's Big Ten Champions!

That's right, bitches. Haters will hate, I suppose, but I couldn't be happier for Fitz and the entire program.

Northwestern Football... what's next?

What is the big deal with him referring to them as Chicago's big ten team

It was "Chicago's Big Ten Champions" that Rick found amusing.

ok so what is the big deal with that?

ok so what is the big deal with that?

It sounds ridiculous.

ok so what is the big deal with that?

What is the big deal with him referring to them as Chicago's big ten team

With this bowl win, the Wildcats erased the last remaining negative stigma associated with the program. Is it a realistic goal to win a Big Ten championship? Probably not, but here's my ***incredibly biased*** thoughts on 2013.

Offense - 7 of 11 starters return. Patrick Ward (OT), Brian Mulroe (OG) and Neal Deiters (OG), and Demetrius Fields (WR) are gone. QB tandem (Trevor Siemian and Kain Colter), Venric Mark, Dan Vitale and all the other skill position will be there in 2013. The OL losses could be a concern, but NU has recruited bigger and faster linemen than in the past... and our WR is deep as any in the Big Ten.

Defense - 6 of 8 rotation players on the defensive line will come back. David Nwabuisi (LB) and Gator Bowl MVP Jared Carpenter (CB) are gone. Ibraheim Campbell and Nick VanHoose are improving the DB lineup. Damien Proby and Chi Chi Ariguzo are back.

Special teams - placekicker Jeff Budzien who was 19-of-20 on the year is back. So is punter Brandon Williams. And Venric Mark, the best return man in the conference, will be back.

Ahhhh... but here is the rub. Last year, our schedule was weak. Gone are Indiana and Penn State... replaced by (GULP) Ohio State and Wisconsin. And these are the first two games of the Big Ten conference play. Starting the season on the West Coast at Cal could be a problem.

All in all, I think it could be another good year (not necessarily a step forward, though). 8-4 seems very reasonable. Losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State. And dropping 2 of 3 to Michigan, Michigan State, and/or Nebraska seems reasonable to me. However, if replacing that offensive line proves to be a problem, 6-6 could be a more likely outcome.

I suppose if put the program's struggles, particularly with attendance, in perspective, then you might realize why Fitz and Jim Phillips try to enhance the marketing effort every chance they can get. The guy was emotional and he was justifiably proud at the accomplishment of the team. I think giving him a bye on that is appropriate. But whatever.

For what its worth, RFDC... thank you.

What is the big deal with him referring to them as Chicago's big ten team

JORR, I couldn't agree more. If I wasn't an alum and a classmate of Fitzgerald (not Fitzpatrick ) then I think I'd be equally as annoyed. He's a rah rah guy. His coach-speak is unbearable at times. But i totally get why he is doing it. I will say that Northwestern Football is a compelling product for the city of Chicago. I don't see any reason why we should sell out that highschool stadium we call Ryan Field (I still call it Dyche). And if it takes a rah rah marketing type who says "Go Cats" after every interview to increase attendance, then I'm an unabashed Fitz fan. My angst is a little more directed at BR who is emerging as a guy who loves to pick scabs... Whether its Spanky's Huskies or my Cats...

I'm not criticizing Fitzpatrick. I think he's in the perfect place for both him and the university. They should sign him to a lifetime deal right now. .

My angst is a little more directed at BR who is emerging as a guy who loves to pick scabs... Whether its Spanky's Huskies or my Cats...

My angst is a little more directed at BR who is emerging as a guy who loves to pick scabs... Whether its Spanky's Huskies or my Cats...