SB Nation User Blog: Chadnudj

Week 10 -- Rooting Interests Recap

Chadnudj — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:17:55 -0000

Hey Iowa, do you like apples?

Well Northwestern just ended your undefeated season, potentially cost you a Big Ten title, and has now beaten you 3 straight in Kinnick and 4 out of 5 overall -- how do you like them apples?

For a first time post here on Sippin' On Purple, I think "Rooting Interests" had the desired effect, overall. I mean, after all:

Northwestern shocked the nation (but not Cats fans) by beating Iowa.
Wisconsin held on against Indiana, making it less likely the Hoosiers get to 6 wins (and making Northwestern's November 21st game against Wisconsin -- who will potentially be 9-2 and ranked in the top 15-20 -- even bigger, leading to the 2:30 pm kickoff -- GET YOUR TICKETS NOW CATS FANS!)
The Illini snuck past Minnesota, putting us (temporarily) ahead of the Gophers by a game
Purdue beat reeling Michigan, which means A) the Wolverines will not be going bowling (I don't see them beating Wisconsin or OSU to get the all-important 6th win), and B) we're one more Purdue upset over Michigan State to Purdue pulling the sweep of the state of Michigan and potentially dooming BOTH teams to non-bowl seasons (MSU has 5 wins, with Purdue and Penn State left) -- putting the Cats in even better bowl position.
And Navy beat "That School in South Bend", leading to arguably the greatest trash talk of all time by none other than Pat Fitzgerald (which he told to Stewart Mandel at SI.com -- "Even though we're similar academically, we're in a little different boat as Stanford and Notre Dame," said Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. "We've been consistently winning since 1995. They're still saying they can do it, but we're doing it."

Sure OSU beat Penn State (which makes it harder for NU to improve its bowl position, due to the fact that Penn State's loss makes it less likely that the Big Ten gets 2 BCS teams), Western Michigan was crushed by Sparty, none of our non-conference foes won, Vandy couldn't pull out an upset of the Gators, and "that school in Palo Alto" pulled out an impressive win over Oregon.

Still -- a pretty good week for Northwestern's Rooting Interests.....Week 11 Rooting Interests to follow later this week!

Rooting Interests -- Week 10

Chadnudj — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:06:26 -0000

So, the users of this site need to step up if Sippin' On Purple is going to work, so I present....Your NU-slanted "Rooting Interests" for Week 10. Yes, a column to tell you what to root for in the Big Ten. Feel free to disagree....

1. Northwestern at Iowa -- If this was an Iowa blog, I'd have to tell you who to root for in this game. But you're a Northwestern fan, which indicates you have an education, and can figure this one out on your own.

2. Wisconsin v. Indiana -- I'm going with Wisconsin in this one. If Indiana were to find its way to bowl-eligibility, some bowl might pick Indiana under the mistaken belief that they have a larger fan base than Northwestern (ummmm, they don't, at least not in football). NU plays Wisconsin at the end of the season, when NU will hopefully be on a 2-game winning streak, so we want Wisconsin to win as much as possible (and be as highly ranked as possible) before that date. Aside from rooting for Wisconsin to win, I think for the sake of the Hoosiers we should root for the game to be a blowout -- no sense raising Hoosier upset hopes into the 4th quarter, only to have them tank again for the third consecutive week.

3. Michigan State v. Western Michigan -- here's something that no national columnists/Big Ten bloggers seem to realize: Michigan State is in serious danger of not making a bowl. They're currently 4-5, with this game, @ Purdue, and at home vs. Penn State left. I don't see any way that MSU beats Penn State, so that gets them their 6th loss....one slip up to a generally improved Purdue team next week, or a 2nd slip up against an in-state MAC foe this week, and MSU is in the Rivalry Esq.'s Ro-Tel and Velveeta Queso Bowl this December. So, Cats fans, root for Western Michigan.

4. Minnesota v. Illinois -- If Minnesota wins this week, they'll get to at least 7 wins, since they play South Dakota State next week. NU may have problems getting to 7 wins given the remaining schedule (or, for that matter, 6 wins). As much as it pains me to say this, we have to root for the Illini. Really, though, this is a win-win for us either way, as a loss for Illinois officially means it's basketball season in Champaign-Urbana (7 losses = no bowl for the Zooksters).

5. Michigan v. Purdue -- The obvious choice here is Purdue, because if Purdue wins, I don't think Michigan can get a bowl-clinching sixth win over Wisconsin or Ohio State in the following weeks. In fact, we should be rooting for Purdue to win this week and next week (Michigan State), and then lose to Indiana to close out the season, as part of an elaborate plot to get NU the best bowl slot possible by making as much of the conference bowl-ineligible as possible. Plus, it's easy to root against Michigan, isn't it? And seeing RichRod squirm through another bowl-less offseason of speculation as the flames rise higher in Ann Arbor is schadenfreude at its greatest.

6. Penn State v. Ohio State -- I think we side with JoePa and Penn State on this one. Should NU become bowl-eligible, it gets into a better bowl automatically if the Big Ten ends up with 2 BCS teams. Now, there are scenarios where OSU and Iowa could be those teams, but our best bet is if an 11-1 Penn State and 11-1 Iowa (one loss courtesy of a plucky group of student athletes from the Enchanted Lakefront of Evanston) end up atop the Big Ten, with Iowa as Big Ten champs (heading to the Rose Bowl), and PSU and its large fan base ends up at another bowl site (probably the Fiesta or Orange).

Other games: root for Vandy (the "Northwestern of the SEC") to take down the eye-gouging Gators (predicted ESPN headline if that happens and Cats beat the Hawkeyes -- "REVENGE OF THE NERDS"); hope that UConn get pull an emotional victory over Cincy; root for Eastern Michigan to get its first win and Miami of Ohio and Syracuse to win to help NU's strength of schedule.

And root for Oregon and Navy, because we should always remember to spare some hate for Stanford and Notre Dame.

Mystery Claim on Blue Jays' Alex Rios?

Chadnudj — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:38:07 -0000

Interesting.....Buster Olney is reporting some mystery team has made a claim on Blue Jays' RF Alex Rios: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4384253

Any chance this is a Cubs move? I doubt it, given costs (he's got 6 years left on his 7 year contract, I think, which was nearly 70 million when he signed it). Olney guesses that San Francisco is involved, and notes (astonishingly) that 20 months ago there was serious discussion of a Rios for Lincecum deal.

On the other hand, I think Rios would be pretty spectacular manning RF (and could probably play CF too). His numbers haven't been awe inspiring this season, although he's still been pretty decent....plus, he'll get a boost (I'd imagine) getting out of the AL East....

Any thoughts?

OT: Northwestern Extends Pat Fitzgerald

Chadnudj — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:47:17 -0000

OT: Northwestern Extends Pat Fitzgerald

I know this is a Cubs baseball site, but I've continually beat the drum for Cubs fans to embrace Northwestern football (conveniently located directly north of Wrigley on the El line, up in Evanston). Great team, great student-athletes, free Goose Island beer pre-games, great Big Ten atmosphere, and a winning team (9-4 last year, 3 Big Ten Titles in the last 15 years).

And now, they have extended their AWESOME football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, through 2015. I hope you all find some time next season to catch a Cats game...its a phenomenal team that deserves Chicago-land support for winning the right way....

Does Sosa's bust HELP the Cubs?

Chadnudj — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:35:03 -0000

I know we are discussing the Sosa 2003 positive test leak elsewhere, and its effect on his legacy, Hall of Fame chances, corrupting effect on our memories, etc, so that should be talked about in those discussion lines.

What I'd like to talk about here is a far more relevant question: Does Sammy's PED bust (and the inevitable storm of stories that it stirs up) take the proverbial monkey off the back of THIS YEAR'S Cubs?

I mean, we know baseball is a game where you can press, and where the "press" (excuse the pun) can put pressure on you to press, and that pressing causes you to lose games. Sometimes, you just need to be able to play free from distraction, so you can see the ball, hit the ball, catch the ball, and throw the ball and perform to your best ability.

So with fans disappointed to some degree in the Cubs' start, bats being silent for much of the season, new additions not working as planned...isn't a complete side show having nothing to do with this year's team that will distract the media EXACTLY what the doctor ordered?

In other words, is Sammy's bust, in its own way, the equivalent of Lou's 2007 blow-up at the umpire, whiich took focus away from the Barrett-Zambrano duel, and allowed the team to loosen up a bit when it needed to?

I await BCB's thoughts....

Eruption time for Lou?

Chadnudj — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:51:57 -0000

A listless team....underperforming offense...recent bad performance....getting swept...injuries...falling perilously far back in the standings....heading into June with things looking bleak....

Cubs 2009, right?

Wrong. Try 2007. It was right around June 2, I believe, when the infamous Barrett-Zambrano fight happened, with the Cubs in the midst of a tailspin.

All of which begs the question -- is it time for Lou to erupt, and head out to abuse an umpire for no other purpose than to get the press/fans off of the team's back and onto his, so that the players can relax a bit and just focus on playing ball (something which we all know based on past numbers these guys can do)?

Will we be seeing Lou kicking dirt, throwing bases, and turning purple in the near-term for no other reason than to shake things up?

I'm interested in your thoughts....as well as whether you think this could work as a motivating factor....it sure seemed to work in 2007, so why not do it again now?

OT - Northwestern-Illinois Football at Wrigley?

Chadnudj — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:09:04 -0000

Teddy Greenstein reported it...what do you think?

The plan, according to sources and Jim Phillips (NU's athletic director) would be to have a Northwestern-Illinois football game played at Wrigley Field, with probably NU surrendering a home date for the game. So far Illinois is lukewarm to the idea (if the deal is a neutral site/2-game series or something where each team gives up a home date)....and Northwestern fans are excited (like me), or worried (NU has a tough time selling seats at home, and we'd probably give up the home-field advantage, to the extent we have one, to Illinois).

The game would, obviously, be played in late November....and thus would not interfere, and indeed, would hopefully be played following a Cubs World Series victory.....

Thoughts?

OT: A Northwestern Call to Arms to Cubs Fans

Chadnudj — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:14:12 -0000

From Northwestern's unofficial Football Blog, Lake the Posts (www.laketheposts.com), from whom I got permission to post this -- go to NUSports.com or call 847-491-CATS for tickets:

Caveat. The following post is intended to be serious and not a satire. As a lifelong Red Sox and Northwestern football fan, I believe I've earned the right to say "I feel your pain" Cubs fans. Most Chicago baseball fans are nodding their heads in collective disbelief at the company water cooler/coffee pot. The Cubs, well, we all know what happened and the amount of puns about Cubby "Blue(s)" is unofficially north of a million. Meanwhile on the South Side it appears Sox fans might be happier about the Cubs inexplicable demise then they are about staving off a similar fate with their win last night over the Rays. Let it be known to Cubs fan's seeking off-season solace and Sox fans who are ready to call it a day, Northwestern football wants you. Check that, we need you.

It is understandable you may not be paying attention to college football as the baseball buzz has engulfed our fair city. But as the sting of the end of the season starts to set in, I've got the perfect Purple version of a sports bloody Mary. Northwestern is 5-0 for the first time since 1962. In Chicago pro sports vernacular that is a full eight years before the Bears played a game at then Dyche Stadium in hopes of calling Evanston their permanent home. A quick refresher - the Cats have won three Big Ten titles since 1995 (1995,1996, 2000) which is second only to Ohio State and Michigan. We are enjoying the best decade in school history (total wins). But, we need your help.

The Cats entered the USA Today Coaches' Poll at #22 this week and are facing #19 Michigan State. The game as at Ryan Field in Evanston and even though we have a better record at this point than in any of our Big Ten title years, our 47,130 seat stadium is embarassingly empty. After a September to remember, the Cats are poised to have an October that would give Reggie Jackson a run for his money. I feel your pain. You've just invested 165 games of your heart and soul. For Sox fans - add at least four more to that total. But, I'm telling you, by attending a Northwestern game with some friends, you can make a difference. Our players feed off of the crowd and in the rare occasions we've packed the place in the past 15 years, the atmosphere is as sweet as any electric day in the Friendly Confines or Sox Park.

Before you scoff at the idea, let me refute the stereotype that Northwestern fans are the turtle-necked ostrich burger subjects of the hilarious Miller High Life commercials. Most of us are either Cubs fans, Sox fans - or more often than not - a hybrid like me - and root for both unless they play Boston. We welcome you with open arms -and an Old Style or a PBR. We know how to tailgate and a little known fact about our tiny school, at least for the alums of 10+ years is we had a simple creedo - "work hard, party hard" - which I think any fan can appreciate.

Our stadium is cozy by Big Ten standards and the most intimate by far. Our school has less than 8,000 students with an alumni base that has more outside the state than in the Chicagoland area. The only way we'll ever consistently fill the joint is with fans who are neither students, alums or some employment tie to the school. We need the general fan to join our team. When they do, well...check out the atmosphere at this game when our now-coach Fitz-then-stud-LB led Chicagoland on a joy ride we are still benefitting from:

You can appreciate the role of the underdog. The Cats, regardless of the raised bar of expectations, continue to get overlooked. Our style of play is extremely likable - a spread offense with, now, a defense that is a strength (we stole away Wisconsin's former defensive coordinator after they foolishly let him go!). We've got the most depth at the skill positions than we've ever had and senior leadership to support it. If this post reeks of desperation, so be it. I don't care. Cubs fans - in the same way you'd do anything to break the 100 year drought and Sox fans - in the same way you'd do anything to get some hometown equal status treatment - I'd do anything to get Ryan Field packed with purple. Regularly.

Like the Cubs, the Cats are in the final stages of breaking the annoying "lovable loser" tag. As for Sox fans, you think YOU'RE overshadowed in this town? Try finding coverage on the Cats during a 2-Chicago team foray into the MLB playoffs. I should point out here that our fearless coach, the most decorated collegiate LB in CFB history is a diehard Sox fan and a true southsider. Cubbies, don't hold it against him, he happily brings legions of NU fans to Cubs games each summer when he performs his annual 7th inning stretch. However, by the time you White Sox fans read this, there is a good chance your season will be over. If so, the combined per game attendance of 80,000+ between your two stadiums is about to head south for the winter, so why not consider helping us fill-up the final 15,000 seats we'll need to get there?

You want in? No problem. Simply go to the west lot on Saturday morning and look for the double-flags of the Northwestern purple and the Cubs signature "W". I'll be the one at the tailgate, beer in hand waiting for you, dressed in purple and black. Here is a cliff notes version of why odds are the unexpected is expected in our match-up with Michigan State (for what it's worth, we're 5-4 against them since 1995). So turn those blue(s) into purple and show us how to transform a blackout into a purpleout and beat big green. Here's a teaser from last year to get you jacked. Can't wait to see both Cubs and Sox fans there!
Posted by Lake The Posts at 10:34 AM

OT: Making 2008 Even Better By Donning Purple

Chadnudj — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:13:22 -0000

This is the most excited I've ever been as a sports fan.....and it's not entirely about the Cubs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE Cubs fan...but just north on the Red/Purple Line, something really special is happening with my true love -- the Northwestern Wildcats Football team. For the first time since the Kennedy administration (1962!), Northwestern is 5-0. This upcoming Saturday we have a bye week before facing off at home against Michigan State on Oct. 11th at 2:30 PM CT in a nationally-televised game on ESPN2.

Which is where BCB and its Chicago-area readers come in....

The Northwestern student body and alumni are calling for a Purple Haze to descend onto Evanston for the Oct. 11th, 2:30 PM CT game -- basically that we pack Ryan Field (f/k/a Dyche Stadium to older alumni) with purple fans to root for the Cats as they try to extend their undefeated season.

Northwestern students, faculty, and staff have LONG been major supporters of the Cubs (I personally skipped many classes for Cubs games in April, May, and September when I was a student), and they now NEED Cubs fans to return their support in a small way.

So go to NUsports.com or call 847-491-CATS and buy a ticket (honestly, Northwestern football may be the best value in Chicago sports - $35 for endzone, $50 for regular seats). Take the scenic drive up Sheridan Road to Evanston for the game, or easier still, take the Purple line El train to Central (two blocks from the stadium). Come early and join me and my Wildcat friends for tailgates (west lot by the stadium). Listen to the marching band, take pictures with Willie the Wildcat, and watch Northwestern go for 6-0.

The best part? No matter what, the Cubs won't be playing on Oct. 11th, so we all have NOTHING ELSE TO DO!

But most importantly, wear purple. Lots of purple.

GO CUBS! GO CATS!

OT: USA wins Mens 4X100 Freestyle Relay - Greatest Olympic Moment Ever?

Chadnudj — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:42:48 -0000

I just wanted to post this in case people went to bed after the Cubs won last night and missed arguably the greatest Olympics moment I've ever seen.

Last night, in the Men's 4X100 Freestyle Relay, the USA men beat France by 0.08 seconds (yes, 8 one-hundredths of a second) in world record time, as Jason Lezak stalked down 100 freestyle record holder Alain Bernard of France in the last 50 meters to complete an amazing come from behind win. And all this after Bernard allegedly said the French were going to "smash" the Americans in the race.

You've all probably seen the pictures of Phelps' primal scream after the U.S. won, but you REALLY need to see this race. Find it on video. Now.

To give you an idea of how fast this race was, it smashed the previous world record (set the day before by the Americans) by FOUR seconds (an eternity in swimming). In fact, the FIFTH place Swedish team beat the previous World Record in the race, and didn't even MEDAL.

USA! USA! USA!