It all started with ol' whats his face on Northwestern's defense, wearing 44 and that ridiculous INT and run back to set up a TD. Then Jerome Smith fall asleep, and there's 44 again as he runs back the fumble for a TD. Ross Krautman misses a 44-yd attemp. Then the final nail in the coffin came with 44 seconds left to play. Surely, I'm not the only one to notice these things. Anyway, I'm not sure I feel a whole lot better about yesterdays game if we had won, other than that a win is a win and that always feels good. The horrific mistakes happened, and ultimately doomed the team. The incredible rally happened, and that is also worth talking about. What could have been a 42-13 GRrob-esq defeat became a 42-41 thriller. I think the pieces are there for a great season and a run at the BE title. I will say again - this season won't be about how we start, but how we finish. The talent and depth are there for a strong finish. My impression - mock me if you choose, is that this season could very well end up like the 2001. Drop a winnable game versus a quality opponent to start the season, drop the 2nd versus a team we are assumed to lose to anyway, then rip the conference a new one and get to 10 wins with a bowl victory. I'm not saying thats exactly what will happen, but we can get close. What say you?