First bummer of the new year: My Northwestern Wildcats lost to Auburn in the 2010 Outback Bowl. Sigh. Take what you want from everything that happened during the game, right through OT, but given how the first two possessions went, I’m proud of the ‘Cats for coming back, tying it up and making the Tigers earn that victory (all three times).

Some fans have chosen to dwell on the fact that although the ‘Cats have appeared in seven bowl games in the past 15 years, it has been 61 years since their last – and only – bowl win. But come on. This team hails from the same metropolitan area whence a certain baseball team that shall not be named has not been to the World Series since, as Steve Goodman so aptly put it, “the year we dropped the bomb on Japan.” And let’s not even go there about how many years it’s been since they won the damned thing – even Ron Santo wasn’t alive back then. I know, that’s an excessively pathetic analogy, but the point is, it could be worse. Much worse.

I’m sorry, were we talking about football? So, umm . . . fly your “N” flags high and wear that purple proudly, NU faithful. It’ll happen, and with a coach like Fitz, you know it’ll happen soon!

GO ‘CATS!