My Take

[sutomcat]

I would have 'liked' your post sutomcat but you had to go and mention the Cubs. Life long White Sox fan here!

For the record, I am not a Cubs fan (Mets fan here). But I am a fan of Wrigley...

Visited US Cellular Field (I think that was what it was called then) on my last visit to Chicago. Nice park, like the open concourses and scoreboard, but found it kind of bland and generic.

 

[SmilinBob]

For the record, I am not a Cubs fan (Mets fan here). But I am a fan of Wrigley...

Visited US Cellular Field (I think that was what it was called then) on my last visit to Chicago. Nice park, like the open concourses and scoreboard, but found it kind of bland and generic.

Nobody jumped you though, so that's always a good thing.

 

[All4SU]

Also, sat behind who I think were Isaiah Johnson and Kendall Moore's parents. Pretty cool to see them both react to their sons getting PT, obviously most notably Moore's touchdown and Johnson's late game tackle behind the line of scrimmage.

How could you see over them?

 

[All4SU]

Great report and on the money! Living in Chicago after transferring here with my job in '99, it is unbelievable where Pat Fitzgerald is taking the NW program. With the support of an agressive AD and marketing department, they are hitting home runs as seen during every timeout. BWW promo, the Blackhawks, catch the punt for cash, throw ball over goalpost, etc. Where is the Cuse marketing to build excitement at games for the fans? Also, the band at NW was constantly playing and revving up the students/fans and after watching the SU bands performance at MetLife, they should take note and copy for both are about the same size in numbers.
Regarding game...Allen is not the QB to lead this team for all the reasons you say. We need a QB who can run when the pressure is on and one who doesn't make bonehead throws into double coverage. The running game was better and I would like to see more outside runs but PTG looks to be regressing and I do not know what the deal is. LB's Arciniega and Kirkland did well and I expect them to play more.
Hoping 2 - 2 for the Clemson game for they may be #2 or 3 in nation if Alabama goes down at TAM.

Fitzgerald has done a great job. But as a Chicago person, why do you think they aren't drawing larger crowds?

 

[Opus]

For the record, I am not a Cubs fan (Mets fan here). But I am a fan of Wrigley...

Visited US Cellular Field (I think that was what it was called then) on my last visit to Chicago. Nice park, like the open concourses and scoreboard, but found it kind of bland and generic.

I agree. I've been to both. The Cell has no character at all. Wrigley is Wrigley, just don't like the inhabitants. I went to Old Comisky Park back in the day. My favorite baseball park of all time. By the way I am a Mets fan as well. Went to many a game at Shea. Been to Citi Field a couple times but the $$ now is kinda prohibitive. Ok I'll stop hijacking your thread. Always enjoy your take of the Syracuse game! LGO!

 

[Chip]

Fitzgerald has done a great job. But as a Chicago person, why do you think they aren't drawing larger crowds?

They actually had a much better crowd than when I was out there in 2008. I think there were 20k that day, 38k on Saturday. Place holds 45k, and students aren't in session yet. I think that's probably close to their max, as I think they rely on away teams with Chicago alums. SU didn't have much there at all.

Private school in a big city syndrome. That place will be as jam packed as they can get it for Ohio State and Michigan. But for them to get 38k for Syracuse this early in the season seems like a great gate for them.

It's also not very convenient to get to, which probably hurts. Really long subway ride, which does pull up 3 blocks from the stadium. Other than that, if you're coming from the city, it's only 10 miles but takes a half hour going through all the small streets, red lights.

 

[orangejunkie]

Great write up. Always go straight to your post game analysis. I have been critical of Gross's scheduling as well. This team is not that good that we would schedule two big ten teams in the first two weeks. As soon as I saw the schedule come out, I was expecting an 0-2 start. What is Gross thinkng? I am an above average fan and traveled to the PSU game. However, I have lost interest in going to a game at the Carrier Dome and will instead catch a game at my undergraduate alma mater, Colgate...

 

[SWC75]

looks like next year our schedule should be:
VS Villanova
VS/@ mac/army type of school
?
?
VS Maryland
VS ND(@metlife)

we have another road game @ northwestern scheduled for 2019

Start out with Colgate in the Dome, then Army home and home, then two BCS-level schools form different conferences, one of who is usually ranked and the of whom usually isn't. Then the ACC schedule. You really only have to schedule games #3-#4 each year. The other games are set up for you. It's a balanced schedule, both in terms of home and away and the relative strength of the teams. Our record will correctly reflect the strength of the team.

 

[storange]

Great report tom !!!!! I would add that I really like Estime.

 

[storange]

Playing at Met Life late in the year means maybe we will face the black with some inclement weather .....since you and tore it up in perfect conditions like we did:rolling:

 

[bnoro]

Great write up. Always go straight to your post game analysis. I have been critical of Gross's scheduling as well. This team is not that good that we would schedule two big ten teams in the first two weeks. As soon as I saw the schedule come out, I was expecting an 0-2 start. What is Gross thinkng? I am an above average fan and traveled to the PSU game. However, I have lost interest in going to a game at the Carrier Dome and will instead catch a game at my undergraduate alma mater, Colgate...

so you aren't an "orangejunkie" then... I am living on a very low salary in NYC and still care enough about the team that I'm went to PSU and am going to Clemson, Maryland, and BC. If you were expecting a 0-2 start why would that convince you not to go to a game in the dome?

Go read colgatefan.com then.

 

[Fjoinkay]

Great write up and a helpful thread. For some reason I had no idea that BW3 is now Buffalo Wild Wings. I'll have to find a Buffalo Wild Wings fast because I used to really enjoy BW3 even though the wings are small.

 

[Orangejet]

Fitzgerald has done a great job. But as a Chicago person, why do you think they aren't drawing larger crowds?

The NW students do not return to school until the third week in September and what I have been hearing is that NW wants to schedule early season games away so they can play more when the students back at school.

If you live in Chicago, I know you see all the "Northwestern...Chicago's B1G Team" billboards around. They are making it happen and if they come close to winning the B1G this year, watch out for the 'Cats.

The Cuse can get there too...