http://blog.philsteele.com/2011/01/26/20...starters/#

According to this, only Buffalo and Bowling Green return less starters than us.

I didn't think we lost that many starters on defense but when you think about it we did lose DJ Pirkle, Jake Coffman, Alex Kube, Mike Krause, Chris Smith, Patrick George, and Mike Sobol/Garrett Barnas.

There's no doubt the defense takes a hit, but the offense should be ungodly awesome.

Unless your quarterback gets hurt. We have had several get hurt the last three years. Don't count on anything until the games are played and won.

(01-29-2011 07:44 AM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  Unless your quarterback gets hurt. We have had several get hurt the last three years. Don't count on anything until the games are played and won.

Indeed, NIU fans know all about injured QBs far too well. Until this past season, I think the last time we didn't lose our QB to injury was in 2003. We played three or four different QBs during our injury-riddled '07 season.

I do think NIU fans took a healthy Harnish for granted this past season. However, if Harnish stays healthy this season as well our offense will be insane and I expect our defense will still be in at least the top four in the MAC.

(01-29-2011 07:44 AM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  Unless your quarterback gets hurt. We have had several get hurt the last three years. Don't count on anything until the games are played and won.

Or until your quarterback controversy divides the team.

Amazing that the teams that finished the season #1 and #2 return the fewest starters.

(01-29-2011 09:05 AM)Premier Club Wrote:  

(01-29-2011 07:44 AM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  Unless your quarterback gets hurt. We have had several get hurt the last three years. Don't count on anything until the games are played and won.

Or until your quarterback controversy divides the team.

This isn't the NFL man. The starters in college have to earn their spot every week. Hence the two deep changes often.

(01-29-2011 09:45 AM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  

(01-29-2011 09:05 AM)Premier Club Wrote:  

(01-29-2011 07:44 AM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  Unless your quarterback gets hurt. We have had several get hurt the last three years. Don't count on anything until the games are played and won.

Or until your quarterback controversy divides the team.

This isn't the NFL man. The starters in college have to earn their spot every week. Hence the two deep changes often.

Okay, we'll see.

I would be more interested to see this type of a list with returning 2 deeps.

(01-29-2011 01:35 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  http://blog.philsteele.com/2011/01/26/20...starters/#

According to this, only Buffalo and Bowling Green return less starters than us.

I didn't think we lost that many starters on defense but when you think about it we did lose DJ Pirkle, Jake Coffman, Alex Kube, Mike Krause, Chris Smith, Patrick George, and Mike Sobol/Garrett Barnas.

Thats because the defense was rotated so much, you don't realize who is the starter most of the time. The defense will be fine and better at LB this year.

(01-29-2011 07:44 AM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  Unless your quarterback gets hurt. We have had several get hurt the last three years. Don't count on anything until the games are played and won.

Seriously is this comment necessary?

(01-29-2011 04:18 PM)armour248 Wrote:  

(01-29-2011 07:44 AM)tampabayrocketfan Wrote:  Unless your quarterback gets hurt. We have had several get hurt the last three years. Don't count on anything until the games are played and won.

Seriously is this comment necessary?

I know, right? "If your tight end's face explodes, bluh buh bluh bluh bluh!"

Hey if our best player gets hurt we might be in trouble. Just so you guys know.

And Toledo's QB being dead was the reason we dropped 65 on their head. Even though half of their fans wanted Owens starting.

(01-29-2011 02:09 AM)7 Wrote:  There's no doubt the defense takes a hit, but the offense should be ungodly awesome.

There are no guarantees, but I tend to agree. If NIU can maintain their average margin of victory of 2010, it will be because the offense scored more points to make up for extra points given up by the D.

It also helps that our new coach is a former DC.