That was my thought too. If I'm a defensive coach I'm telling my team to not worry a whole lot about the WR's running toward the back of the end zone.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

It would be pretty cool to have seats in the first row there right behind the goal post.

Those were 3rd tier tickets I think. $100.

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You know me like that.

Wrigley used to be like that too. This was the only possible way to fit a regulation field into the stadium.

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Fire Phil Emery

You would get an extra point possibly right in the face.

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didnt the wrigley have 8 yard endzones when the Bears played there? I read that somewhere.

Meet Evan Watkins


Wildcats' Evan Watkins steps to the plate
November, 15, 2010 Nov 153:57PM
By Adam Rittenberg

EVANSTON, Ill. -- During Northwestern's team meeting Sunday, coach Pat Fitzgerald tried to loosen up his new starting quarterback.

"I said, 'Remember when I recruited you and I told you that you were going to start your first college game at Wrigley against the Illini?' " Fitzgerald said. "And he kind of chuckled. I said, 'Just like we scripted, right?' "

Not quite.

The script certainly has changed for Northwestern after it lost star quarterback Dan Persa to a season-ending ruptured Achilles' tendon. Persa, who suffered the injury while throwing the game-winning touchdown pass Saturday against Iowa, underwent successful surgery Saturday night and is expected to make a full recovery by the spring or shortly thereafter.

The loss of Persa thrusts Watkins, a redshirt freshman, into the spotlight. And what a bright spotlight it will be.

Northwestern and Illinois play the first football game at Wrigley Field since 1970 and the first college football game at the Friendly Confines since 1938. Northwestern and Illinois haven't played at Clark & Addison since 1923, a 29-0 Illinois win. ESPN "College GameDay" also will be on site.

Add in the fact that Watkins grew up in Chicago's west suburbs.

"Growing up in the Chicagoland area, playing in Wrigley against an in-state rival, it's a perfect opportunity," Watkins said. "I'm really excited."

It's an opportunity Watkins would have gladly passed up if Persa could have avoided what Fitzgerald called "a freak injury." Watkins talked to Persa the night of Persa's surgery and visited with Persa on Monday at the football offices.

Watkins has tried to absorb as much as he can from the junior quarterback, who will be involved in practice this week and on game day. But Watkins now will lead the offense, beginning in a film-review session tonight.

"He's staying very positive," Watkins said of Persa. "He's been there for me and supporting me. Anything he needs to do to help me be prepared, he will this week, so it's been helpful. ... I just told him how sorry I was for him that it had to end like that. I've got his back and I'm going to do everything I can for him to lead this team to victories."

Northwestern is no stranger to in-season quarterback changes.

Persa relieved Mike Kafka last year for stretches of two games after Kafka hurt his hamstring. The year before, Kafka relieved C.J. Bacher for two games after Bacher injured his hamstring. Watkins stepped in for Persa three weeks ago at Indiana after Persa suffered a concussion late in the game. On his first play, Watkins fired a 13-yard pass on third-and-8 to set up a field goal.

"He's an extremely talented quarterback," Fitzgerald said. "He's a dual-threat guy with his size at 6-6 and close to 250 pounds. A kid that can run. He's got a great arm, he's got a great understanding of our offense.

"Evan will be ready."

Watkins has appeared in four games this fall, completing 3 of 7 passes with no touchdowns or interceptions. He has only two rushing attempts, a total that will increase Saturday.

Although Watkins admits he's "not Persa-fast" -- Persa leads the team with 519 rush yards and nine touchdowns -- and likely will sit in the pocket more, he's not a plodder, either.

"He moves better than people give him credit for," offensive coordinator Mick McCall said. "He's going to run around and make some things happen."

Watkins' biggest challenge will be handling the emotions of his first start, especially in such a unique setting. He showed some savvy Monday when asked if he's a Cubs or White Sox fan.

"I'm a Chicago fan," he said.

Likely translation: He's a White Sox fan.

How will Watkins balance his emotions Saturday?

"I'm going to be excited," he said, "but you've got to stay focused and prevent any distractions. Just keep your mind on winning."

Here's another angle...

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You know me like that.

Proof that Illinois is the better team.

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You know me like that.

A pig in pearls.

Hey, let's watch two middle of the road teams in an even worse setting than Dyche Stadium.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Yeah... but you can drink beer in your seat... that solves alot of problems.

Here's all the pictures together.

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2010/11/15/1815888/are-you-ready-for-some-football-wrigley-field-is#storyjump

What would the rule be if the player touches the wall while in the motion of catching a pass in the back of the endzone? Would he be ruled out?

I posted this on my Facebook page yesterday. ESPN may be bringing its "College GameDay" pregame show with Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard & Erin Andrews to town, yet why is ESPNU carrying the game? You'd think that when "GameDay" comes to town, the game would be featured later that day on ESPNHD, ESPN2HD or even ABC Sports (ESPN on ABC). However, ESPNUHD has the game from Wrigley starting at 2:30p with Mark Jones & Bob Davie calling it and Andrews on the sidelines...Why is that?

You don't say....

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You know me like that.

Because you have 5-5 and 7-3 teams doing battle.

Okay, Rock...Then why is NBC Sports HD carrying the Notre Dame/Army game at Yankee Stadium later that night? I know NBC has a contract to carry Notre Dame home games, but the Irish aren't exactly "ready for prime time" either...

When you look at the other games, it wasn't much of a choice. The deal was either ESPN2 at 11:00 or ESPNU at 2:30. I'm not sure why they chose it, but I believe that ESPNU is now more available nationally on the basic tier than before. I'm not sure what we sacrificed by having it at 2:30 (I'm not sure it was even NU's decision), but I know I'll prefer a later game to get my drink on.

NBC Sports needs to sell advertising and the best way to do this is a prime time game.

Notre Dame and Army are a big part of the history of College Football.

Playing at Wrigley Field is great for Northwestern.....AND THEY SHOULD HAVE PLAYED IOWA THERE INSTEAD OF THE ZOOK DAZED AND CONFUSED so I could have made a killing on the tickets.
The Illini have managed to turn their biggest alumni base into a quicksand pit of lethargy....and they have EARNED it.
The Illini Football program reminds me of the White Sox....Have one great exciting season every DECADE!!!....Then SUCK for 9 years.

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There goes one over the fence..Tru Link Fence..Beauty, Privacy Security....Call Tru Link.
Murph's Union 76 Truck Stop....A great Thanksgiving Tradition!!!!

WOO LIFE!!!!

They should have scheduled Iowa.

At least they would have won that game.

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You know me like that.

Letting people in at 5:30 AM. Yours truly will be sleeping.



EVANSTON, Ill. -- ESPN College GameDay Built by The Home Depot will be coming to our city this Saturday morning, televising live from outside Wrigley Field prior to the Allstate Wrigleyville Classic. The crew will be set up on the corner of Addison and Clark, with the iconic Wrigley Field marquee, which has been painted purple, serving as the backdrop.

The popular ESPN college football preview show begins at 8 a.m. CT on ESPNU Saturday morning and continuing on ESPN at 9 a.m.

Chris Fowler hosts the Emmy Award-winning program with analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard. Erin Andrews anchors several segments of the first hour on ESPNU and contributes reports, interviews and features during the ESPN portion.

The show concludes with the analysts making their predictions, highlighted by Corso donning the mascot's headgear of his pick for GameDay's host site game.

Part of what adds to GameDay's popularity is the atmosphere generated by fans serving as a backdrop to the show's festivites. The show is open to the public as fans are encouraged to participate by showing their school spirit and displaying creative signs.

Since 1993, College GameDay has taken its show on the road, traveling to the site of one of the day's best games or with the most compelling storyline. Saturday marks the second time Northwestern will serve as the host for College GameDay, the first coming on Nov. 11, 1995, when the then-fifth-ranked Wildcats hosted Iowa en route to the 1995 Big Ten Championship.

The show this Saturday from Wrigley Field will definitely have a Big Ten feel to it. In addition to the Allstate Wrigleyville Classic between Northwestern and Illinois, the show's three analysts all have Big Ten connections. Corso is a former head coach at Indiana, Herbstreit is a former Ohio State quarterback and Howard won the Heisman Trophy while playing at Michigan.

No, they should have scheduled Nor.......ah forget it. Even I can't make a good case for that one.

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Illinois can't stop Simeon.
Cat Redshirt QB will look like Denard Robinson once Illini defense quits in 2nd Quarter.

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There goes one over the fence..Tru Link Fence..Beauty, Privacy Security....Call Tru Link.
Murph's Union 76 Truck Stop....A great Thanksgiving Tradition!!!!

WOO LIFE!!!!

If they have a history of quitting in the 2nd quarter, then they are probably the best team in the country - considering they have had 4th quarter leads in 8 of their 10 games.

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You know me like that.

Defending the Illini football team in its current state is like defending John Gacy......they are currently not bowl eligible when any half witted team is....their defense has collapsed.....if they have had leads in the 4th quarter of 8 of 10 games...they suck...they can't close the damned deal....
Hiring Zook was a blunder.....Why can't they hire a damned football coach who can build a program without getting their asses thrown on probation?
Time for you to think about the next football coach and talk up a stable and solid hoops program that just signed a great class.
Tell me exactly how many Chicago area alums pack into the car and head down to Chambana to see this mediocre football team if they don't have kids attending the school?
We all know all kinds of Illini alums who would rather do ANYTHING but watch this damned football debacle.
Michigan has a far more vocal alumni in the Chicago area and are far more passionate about their football team than Illinois does....and you know it.
Hell, it isn't your fault...but why in the hell can't Illinois build a consistently good football team????

_________________
There goes one over the fence..Tru Link Fence..Beauty, Privacy Security....Call Tru Link.
Murph's Union 76 Truck Stop....A great Thanksgiving Tradition!!!!

WOO LIFE!!!!

Mud.....looks like Eastern Illinois Panther for 2011 Northwestern tailgate.....If they are going to hand out freebies like last year, this would be the only game they are going to give away.

_________________
There goes one over the fence..Tru Link Fence..Beauty, Privacy Security....Call Tru Link.
Murph's Union 76 Truck Stop....A great Thanksgiving Tradition!!!!

WOO LIFE!!!!

Dr. Ken...I do like the Illini kid QB.

_________________
There goes one over the fence..Tru Link Fence..Beauty, Privacy Security....Call Tru Link.
Murph's Union 76 Truck Stop....A great Thanksgiving Tradition!!!!

WOO LIFE!!!!

As a neutral observer, and unless things changed in the 1.5 years I've been gone from the flyover state known as Illinois, I have to say this is false. Illinois fans were very vocal and when things were going well they reached levels of obnoxiousness only surpassed by Notre Dame fans.

I knew very few Michigan fans and most of them never even talked about football or basketball.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

How about those NU fans? Very passionate... unfortunately there are only 3 of us.

I'll be there with my two boys so that's four.

What are your pregame plans, Mud? NAA is having a "Wildcat Way" tailgate on Sheffield which the players will walk through on way into Wrigley. Beer and wine will be served.

Anything else you've heard of?

Who is else is going?