Can Northwestern take advantage of monster opportunity?

ESPN's Gameday crew will be on hand.

So will former coach Gary Barnett.

So will a sold-out house, big, bad Ohio State, and a national TV audience watching Saturday's prime-timer from Evanston.

This is just what the folks at Northwestern have wanted for, well, forever.

Now they've got the spotlight.

Let's hope they can take advantage of it.

Question:Will a close-but-no-cigar result be enough?Good, but #8230;:It was proven again during the banner raising ceremony that no organization #8212; not one #8212; puts on a better show than the Blackhawks.But it wouldn't be me if I didn't have one minor complaint, and it's not about the ceremony itself. It's about when the Hawks take the ice each period.For some reason, the music used explicitly to pump up the place is immediately drowned out by a drum machine and a goal horn for about 15 seconds.Annoying. Question:How does Bedford Park have all that water?Good times:It's nice to see all those smiles around the Wolves' den these days.Having John Anderson back on the bench will do that for an organization.He'd be fine:It's so interesting how people hook into one managerial candidate and just won't let go.I'm pretty sure I'm one of the few not overly enamored with Joe Girardi.I think he'd be fine, but I certainly wouldn't be crushed if they found a candidate they thought was a better fit.Question:Does some of the same criteria used in the dismissal of Dale Sveum apply to Jed Hoyer as well?Not saying Hoyer should be fired by any means, just wondering.Royal trump:Good to see Sveum get a new gig as a coach with the Royals.That cat was in a no-win situation here.Tan, rested and ready #8230;:Lou Piniella, come on down!On second thought, nah.A moment of silence:For Ford Frick Award nominee Hawk Harrelson and all the moments of silence he has given us over the years.Seriously, though, good luck to Hawk.Bruuuuuce:Ever since reading his book a few years back, I've been a huge fan of Bruce Boudreau. So it was a pleasure to see the Anaheim coach standing up to the attempted bullying by Avs' rookie coach Patrick Roy on Wednesday. The hits keep coming:Little disappointed there wasn't some push-back against Washington for the big hit to the head absorbed by Jonathan Toews in the opener.These hits to the Captain's noggin have got to stop.Prediction:Bears 27, Saints 24.Bad, bad memory:Will never forget when the Saints came to town shortly after Hurricane Katrina had devastated New Orleans, and we had the privilege of seeing a couple of goofs at Soldier Field smiling proudly while displaying a sign that read: #8220;Bears finishing what Katrina started.#8221;Still makes me cringe.Question:Is there anything more fun than driving by gas stations and seeing the prices continually going down?Yeah, I'm pretty sure there is, but hey, it's still fun.Paging Anthony Michael Hall:What do you get when you lose Bill Hayder, Jason Sudeikis and Fred Armisen?A lost season for SNL.Don't stop rolling now:NIU football.Too. Much. Fun.mspellman@dailyherald.comHKN30384000The Blackhawks watch as the Stanley Cup Championship banner is lifted to the rafters during ceremonies before an NHL hockey game between the Blackhawks and the Washington Capitals Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, in Chicago. Associated PressHKNHKN40003115BlackhawksÂ’ center Jonathan Toews walks the red carpet outside the United Center as the team arrives for their season-opening NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, in Chicago. Associated PressHKNHKN40002782Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews carries out the Stanley Cup during a banner raising ceremony before an NHL hockey game between the Blackhawks and the Washington Capitals, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, in Chicago. Associated PressHKN