Northwestern is undoubtedly a program on the rise. In the past, it seems that the norm has been prolonged periods of mediocrity with the occasional superlative season. However, if Fitzgerald can keep it up, I'm not going to say Northwestern can be considered a first-tier team in the conference (that's typically reserved for OSU, UM, and now, maybe PSU), but you guy can be right along there with Wisconsin, and Michigan State, and Iowa going 8-4, 9-3, every year. And that's not meant to be a knock at all, most programs would kill for that kind of prolonged success.

Illinois's respect comes from the fact that they're truly explosive on offense. With a team like a Northwestern, you don't have to worry about them putting up 60 points on you, but when Juice Williams is on, Illinois can do just that. And I wouldn't say Illinois has enjoyed much success, but since Ron Zook took over, they're a program in the right direction. They're the exact opposite of Fitzgerald and NW, though. Talented and undisciplined, whereas Fitzgerald is getting the most out of his players. But Illinois is a much tougher match-up for us. Penn State's greatest weakness is in its secondary, and Illinois is one of the only teams with a vertical passing game. I'm honestly not sure how good Northwestern would be, but I know how good Tyrell Sutton was, and I liked Eric Peterman a lot too. Kafka's got a lot of heart, and he's a good QB, but I don't know how much he can do on his own.

Ryan Field has not been kind to Penn State in the past, and coming sandwiched in between 2 high-profile games, this one won't be a gimme. But I'm more confident in Penn State's ability to overcome Northwestern than Illinois, only because Northwestern is the kind of team we typically have success against.

Also, I love Corey Woottoon. He is scary good. My favorite defensive player in the conference. Just sayin'.

And I'll grant you that beating PSU is going to be tough for Northwestern — clearly our toughest game all season, and one we'll probably be underdogs for to the tune of 14 points or so.

But 2 things bother me about your post:

1) Anyone who says Fitzgerald gets way too much praise needs his head examined. Fitz took over when our coach DIED around 6 weeks before the start of the season. Under those circumstances, to turn the team from 4-8, to 6-6, to last year's 9-4 is damn impressive. Recruiting is the best it's ever been, depth is better than its ever been, the defense is drawing comparisons to 1995-96's unit, the team had its best academic performance ever last year, fans/alumni are devoted to him….I'd say Fitz is doing an OUTSTANDING job, and deserves all the praise he gets.

2) I never said PSU should fear us as much as OSU. And with the exception of last year, PSU should probably fear Michigan more than Northwestern. But Illinois? Really? You attack Fitz for being 19-18 over his three years (and I'd give him a mulligan for his first year due to the tragedy of losing Walker), but Illinois is 16-21 over those same three years.

Honestly, nothing annoys me more than fans who on one hand write off Northwestern as one-year wonders (despite having as many Big Ten titles as Penn State since PSU joined the conference), but then claim Illinois is a good team. In every respect, Northwestern has been VASTLY better than Illinois (and Minnesota, and Indiana) over the past 15 years. Even this year, while Illinois' offense is supposed to be good, they were supposed to be just as good last year when they went 5-7, and their defense is arguably worse than last year. Explain to me how a team with no heart, no defense, a QB who makes too many mistakes, and a poor gameday coach gets all this respect conference wide?

Northwestern is undoubtedly a program on the rise. In the past, it seems that the norm has been prolonged periods of mediocrity with the occasional superlative season. However, if Fitzgerald can keep it up, I'm not going to say Northwestern can be considered a first-tier team in the conference (that's typically reserved for OSU, UM, and now, maybe PSU), but you guy can be right along there with Wisconsin, and Michigan State, and Iowa going 8-4, 9-3, every year. And that's not meant to be a knock at all, most programs would kill for that kind of prolonged success.

Illinois's respect comes from the fact that they're truly explosive on offense. With a team like a Northwestern, you don't have to worry about them putting up 60 points on you, but when Juice Williams is on, Illinois can do just that. And I wouldn't say Illinois has enjoyed much success, but since Ron Zook took over, they're a program in the right direction. They're the exact opposite of Fitzgerald and NW, though. Talented and undisciplined, whereas Fitzgerald is getting the most out of his players. But Illinois is a much tougher match-up for us. Penn State's greatest weakness is in its secondary, and Illinois is one of the only teams with a vertical passing game. I'm honestly not sure how good Northwestern would be, but I know how good Tyrell Sutton was, and I liked Eric Peterman a lot too. Kafka's got a lot of heart, and he's a good QB, but I don't know how much he can do on his own.

Ryan Field has not been kind to Penn State in the past, and coming sandwiched in between 2 high-profile games, this one won't be a gimme. But I'm more confident in Penn State's ability to overcome Northwestern than Illinois, only because Northwestern is the kind of team we typically have success against.

Also, I love Corey Woottoon. He is scary good. My favorite defensive player in the conference. Just sayin'.

And I'll grant you that beating PSU is going to be tough for Northwestern — clearly our toughest game all season, and one we'll probably be underdogs for to the tune of 14 points or so.

But 2 things bother me about your post:

1) Anyone who says Fitzgerald gets way too much praise needs his head examined. Fitz took over when our coach DIED around 6 weeks before the start of the season. Under those circumstances, to turn the team from 4-8, to 6-6, to last year's 9-4 is damn impressive. Recruiting is the best it's ever been, depth is better than its ever been, the defense is drawing comparisons to 1995-96's unit, the team had its best academic performance ever last year, fans/alumni are devoted to him….I'd say Fitz is doing an OUTSTANDING job, and deserves all the praise he gets.

2) I never said PSU should fear us as much as OSU. And with the exception of last year, PSU should probably fear Michigan more than Northwestern. But Illinois? Really? You attack Fitz for being 19-18 over his three years (and I'd give him a mulligan for his first year due to the tragedy of losing Walker), but Illinois is 16-21 over those same three years.

Honestly, nothing annoys me more than fans who on one hand write off Northwestern as one-year wonders (despite having as many Big Ten titles as Penn State since PSU joined the conference), but then claim Illinois is a good team. In every respect, Northwestern has been VASTLY better than Illinois (and Minnesota, and Indiana) over the past 15 years. Even this year, while Illinois' offense is supposed to be good, they were supposed to be just as good last year when they went 5-7, and their defense is arguably worse than last year. Explain to me how a team with no heart, no defense, a QB who makes too many mistakes, and a poor gameday coach gets all this respect conference wide?

Secondly Fitzgerald gets way too much praise. In the last four years NU's record is 19-18. Your 0-3 vs top ten teams, 1-6 vs top 25 teams AT HOME and your telling me your team puts as much fear in Penn State as an Ohio St, Illinois or Michigan team.

But let's put that aside you lost your starting quarterback who accounted for 17td's, the back up had two td's and three picks. You lost your only running back who has very good. The back up to him is now your starting qb. You lost all four of your top receivers. Your O-line does look solid I'll give you that. You lose two starters on your D-line, two of your three starting lb's. Penn State loses a lot too however we have the ability to reload not try and rebuild.

Don't get me wrong I would love to see Northwestern get good again like in 95 but they are still three maybe four years out. Good luck but inless your players are wearing USC costumes you will get smoked!

Plus, NU has a shot at being 7-1 or 8-0 going into that game, which is potentially NU's only late-start game all season, and is on Halloween to boot. You better believe Evanston will be rocking for that game.

(Note: As a Northwestern fan, I still think an NU win over PSU is a longshot….but Northwestern is just as much of a challenge this year for PSU as UM, MSU, or Illinois, in my opinion.)