(08-30-2010 01:16 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  If I were ISU I would put my entire defense within 7 yards of the line of scrimmage and focus almost entirely on stopping the run just like South Florida did. Until we prove we can get someone open downfield and hit them why not?

They absolutely are going to do that to us. I am praying Kill learned from last year's bowl debacle and we go in with the right game plan for ISU.

(09-02-2010 12:04 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(08-30-2010 01:16 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  If I were ISU I would put my entire defense within 7 yards of the line of scrimmage and focus almost entirely on stopping the run just like South Florida did. Until we prove we can get someone open downfield and hit them why not?

They absolutely are going to do that to us. I am praying Kill learned from last year's bowl debacle and we go in with the right game plan for ISU.

I have this strange feeling that we won't see much change in the game plan - with the same results. Hope I am wrong.

We gon win

What's Kill's typical game plan? Pound it until the other team figures it out, or until they keep gashing through the D, then pass only when forced to?

Or is it a bit more open then that with the passing game?

How does the NIU Oline look? I think a lot will depend on how that group performs as well. The ISU Dline isn't a great group by any means, but a decent Big 12 caliber bunch. If the Huskie Oline has some weak links, ISU will be able to expose them imo.

On the flip side, ISU is putting a ton of weight on the shoulders of three unexperienced but talented Linebackers. If they miss reads and play too fast then Spann and Harnish/Grady could get to the second level often.

Again, good luck tonight and on the year. All I know is that College Football is finally here!

(09-02-2010 10:58 AM)delt4cy Wrote:  What's Kill's typical game plan? Pound it until the other team figures it out, or until they keep gashing through the D, then pass only when forced to?

Or is it a bit more open then that with the passing game?

How does the NIU Oline look? I think a lot will depend on how that group performs as well. The ISU Dline isn't a great group by any means, but a decent Big 12 caliber bunch. If the Huskie Oline has some weak links, ISU will be able to expose them imo.

On the flip side, ISU is putting a ton of weight on the shoulders of three unexperienced but talented Linebackers. If they miss reads and play too fast then Spann and Harnish/Grady could get to the second level often.

Again, good luck tonight and on the year. All I know is that College Football is finally here!

We appreciate having you and the other ISU fans on this board.

We do not know what to expect from the offense this year. For the past 2 years, we have seen run, run, run, and then pass only when you need to. It has been a pretty predictable offense. Kill has said that he will open up the offense this year, but that obviously remains to be seen. I want to see what happens tonight when ISU defends against the run. How we face that will tell us a lot of what we can expect for the rest of the year.

The O-line is a question mark. Some good talent there, but a couple stellar players have been replaced. Obviously, a strong O-line is a key to our attack plan.

Good luck to the Cyclones this year.

I think Coach Kill's game plan will be similar to previous seasons at the onset. NIU will try to establish the run and will run until ISU can stop them. My hope, this year and not only in this game, is that if ISU is successful in shutting down the run or if they continually stack the box with 8, 9 guys that Coach Kill has implemented some passing plays that we are not accustomed to seeing that can counteract this defensive strategy.

I actually think we will know very early in the game if it will be close or not depending on the Line play. O-Line is quite simply an unknown for NIU. If this group is not up to par the game could get ugly. If the NIU lines (O & D) compete with the corresponding ISU lines I fully expect this game to be a close game, at which point the untested NIU kicking game becomes a factor...sadly given the inexperience of the kicking game this could be a huge negative for NIU.

My wishful thinking:

1st offensive play will be a flea-flicker... to Cox for a TD.

It has been 7 years since 2003. We're due for a big year.

NIU - 38
ISU - 28

ISU 24
NIU 13

I guessed wrong on almost every prediction last year, so I expect the trend to carry over into the current year.

Our offense is a major concern. Aside from Chad Spann, there are too many questions. In 2003, we came into the season with proven offensive weapons (Turner, Fleck, Sheldon), a strong offensive line (Free and company), and a ton of confidence that carried over from 2002. It may take the first half of this season for our offense to play at the level we will need to win the MAC title.

w/Minnesota playbook -- 28-17 Huskies
w/South Florida playbook -- 17-10 Cyclones

79, we have a better quarterback, a proven RB and returning WR's. We don't have that many unknowns, the OLine is the only issue, and the fact we have a quarterback in Grady who can scramble very well negates that somewhat anyways, if it is a problem.

Iowa State may just be better than us, but I'm not concerned about the offense.

I hope I am wrong but....

ISU 24
NIU 10

(09-02-2010 12:09 PM)NIU17 Wrote:  It has been 7 years since 2003. We're due for a big year.

NIU - 38
ISU - 28

NO, 1963, 1983, 2003 so to follow the progression 2023.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(09-02-2010 12:34 PM)HuskieFan84 Wrote:  79, we have a better quarterback, a proven RB and returning WR's. We don't have that many unknowns, the OLine is the only issue, and the fact we have a quarterback in Grady who can scramble very well negates that somewhat anyways, if it is a problem.

Iowa State may just be better than us, but I'm not concerned about the offense.

I'll agree we have a proven running back in Spann. We will need a few others (Grady or Harnish, any of the receivers, etc.) to have break out seasons. We will find out in about 5 1/2 hours who will be ready to step up! Go Huskies!

As a WMU fan I'm excited to be watching this game. I feel a top MAC should be able to beat a bottom BCS school consistently. ISU isn't a top Big 12 team. I give NIU the win prediction wise.

(09-02-2010 01:25 PM)niu79 Wrote:  

(09-02-2010 12:34 PM)HuskieFan84 Wrote:  79, we have a better quarterback, a proven RB and returning WR's. We don't have that many unknowns, the OLine is the only issue, and the fact we have a quarterback in Grady who can scramble very well negates that somewhat anyways, if it is a problem.

Iowa State may just be better than us, but I'm not concerned about the offense.

I'll agree we have a proven running back in Spann. We will need a few others (Grady or Harnish, any of the receivers, etc.) to have break out seasons. We will find out in about 5 1/2 hours who will be ready to step up! Go Huskies!

I think that our (ISU's) Run D against Spann should be fun to watch. Our run D has been decent lately. Your passing ?'s and our secondary ?'s match up for some fun too. I do look for ISU's Offense to be consierably better than last year as they have a full year in the current system. Last year was just a terrible letdown on O. The O was better the year before with many of the same players. New system last year really killed the O.

I see it going 30-23 ISU. Hope everyone stays healthy. Good luck the rest of the way.

Zero Turnovers
NIU 21
ISU 20

2 or more turnovers
ISU 28
NIU 17

(09-02-2010 10:43 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(09-02-2010 12:04 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(08-30-2010 01:16 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  If I were ISU I would put my entire defense within 7 yards of the line of scrimmage and focus almost entirely on stopping the run just like South Florida did. Until we prove we can get someone open downfield and hit them why not?

They absolutely are going to do that to us. I am praying Kill learned from last year's bowl debacle and we go in with the right game plan for ISU.

I have this strange feeling that we won't see much change in the game plan - with the same results. Hope I am wrong.

That is partially my fear too. This is the first time I am ever using a single game to make a substantial coach evalutation. In my opinion, we will see what kind of coach Jerry Kill is tonight and if he is able to adjust and learn from past lessons. The bowl experience last year was not a complete loss if it causes changes this year to be made.

(09-02-2010 04:44 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  Zero Turnovers
NIU 21
ISU 20

2 or more turnovers
ISU 28
NIU 17

To be very honest, I think it is the fear of turnovers that is holding this team back and its conservatism. I dont care if NIU turns the ball over a few times if they are on plays where the ball is thrown down the field. The kind of turnovers I hate, which dont show up on paper, are the 3 and outs with 2 runs for little gain and a 3 yard sideline pass. We had way too many of those kind of turnovers last year.

My biggest fear is that the preseason love of this defense will breed an even more conservative offensive attitude. This will result in our defense being on the field way too much, and then thats when injuries hit, and hit hard, leaving basically just a shell of a defense left for the final four games.