(09-17-2013 11:31 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 05:35 AM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  I'm sorry but if we are supposed to be top 25 material and there is no surprise factor of EIU being a capable opponent then we should blast then without question. Especially at home.


Sent from my iPhone.

I guess I do not understand this mindset especially coming from our perspective. Did not we just see Iowa fans disregarding NIU's chances because it was a smaller conference and that a Big Ten team "should never lose to a MAC team at home". We knew NIU had comparable talent to Iowa even though Iowa fans were not willing to look objectively at it. This is the same case with EIU, you cannot ignore that computer and statistical rankings have them as the 2nd toughest opponent on our schedule outside of Toledo. You just can't ignore that. If EIU were playing MSU at a neutral site this weekend, I'd take the Panthers, no question. It is not a smack in the face to the Huskies to say its going to be a close game with a chance to lose. EIU is playing at a top 40 or 50 FBS level right now, very similar to the huskies.

Throw EIU in with a top 50 FBS opponent on a neutral field they get demolished, Your MSU reference is actually really bad. I think MSU has a top 10 defense but a sub 75 offense. They beat Youngstown 55-17 last week. That same week Youngstown was ranked 23 and EIU was ranked 12. James Madison ranked 16 got beat by Akron.

This upset will not happen. I don't know how you legit thing EIU is even close to as talented as NIU. They would get rocked by Iowa as well. Again, would you give up any of our players for theirs. I can think of one guy who might start at NIU from EIU and that's the Lora kid. He's their main target and I think he's going to get pushed around.

Wish like hell I had gotten in at NIU -11 before it went up 5 points. Absolute steal. Still might be..

(09-17-2013 11:58 AM)clcfball11 Wrote:  If Fresno keeps winning, is there any chance at passing them based on beating the hell out of everyone? If not, then "just winning" really is the only thing that matters.

In my opinion, the answer is no. Maybe if the AP and Coaches were flipped but its apparent from the preseason to now that the coaches think a lot of the MWC. NIU might have a slight edge in the computers with Fresno but the human element would keep Fresno out of reach. That is another reason Im not talking about the top25 and BCS anymore is because even if Fresno lost this Friday, Boise would pass NIU even with that 1 loss. It really is a no win proposition for NIU anyway.

(09-17-2013 12:27 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 11:58 AM)clcfball11 Wrote:  If Fresno keeps winning, is there any chance at passing them based on beating the hell out of everyone? If not, then "just winning" really is the only thing that matters.

In my opinion, the answer is no. Maybe if the AP and Coaches were flipped but its apparent from the preseason to now that the coaches think a lot of the MWC. NIU might have a slight edge in the computers with Fresno but the human element would keep Fresno out of reach. That is another reason Im not talking about the top25 and BCS anymore is because even if Fresno lost this Friday, Boise would pass NIU even with that 1 loss. It really is a no win proposition for NIU anyway.

All NIU can do is continue to win and hope the other chips fall their way. The MAC blew multiple opportunities last week to improve its standing with BG, CMU, Akron, and Ball State all losing winnable games. The problem here is outside of us, there really is not a clear cut #2 power team in the MAC right now to set up more meaningful late season matchups to sway the voters like Kent last season. I think at this point the best we can hope for is Balls taking down Virginia and then either BG or Ohio running the table to the MACC which would include BG taking down an SEC team. The MWC continues to show more depth at the top. This will continue to be case under the playoff unless the MAC can develop a consistent stronger top tier (not just one season and then drop back).

Frankly though I am still not sold on Fresnos defense. They can definitely put up point but at some point they might end up on the wrong end of a shootout.

(09-17-2013 12:35 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 12:27 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 11:58 AM)clcfball11 Wrote:  If Fresno keeps winning, is there any chance at passing them based on beating the hell out of everyone? If not, then "just winning" really is the only thing that matters.

In my opinion, the answer is no. Maybe if the AP and Coaches were flipped but its apparent from the preseason to now that the coaches think a lot of the MWC. NIU might have a slight edge in the computers with Fresno but the human element would keep Fresno out of reach. That is another reason Im not talking about the top25 and BCS anymore is because even if Fresno lost this Friday, Boise would pass NIU even with that 1 loss. It really is a no win proposition for NIU anyway.

All NIU can do is continue to win and hope the other chips fall their way. The MAC blew multiple opportunities last week to improve its standing with BG, CMU, Akron, and Ball State all losing winnable games. The problem here is outside of us, there really is not a clear cut #2 power team in the MAC right now to set up more meaningful late season matchups to sway the voters like Kent last season. I think at this point the best we can hope for is Balls taking down Virginia and then either BG or Ohio running the table to the MACC which would include BG taking down an SEC team. The MWC continues to show more depth at the top. This will continue to be case under the playoff unless the MAC can develop a consistent stronger top tier (not just one season and then drop back).

Just a quick note. Coach Carey was asked in the teleconference if he was surprised that NIU is the only MAC team with a BCS victory this year. He was unaware.

At the moment, the MAC has 7 wins over other FBS schols not in the MAC.

Ball State beat Army and lost to North Texas
Ohio beat North Texas and Marshall, lost to L'ville
BG beat Tulsa but lost to IU.

NIU has 28.5% of the wins over non-conference FBS opponents. If NIU beats Purdue and the MAC struggles in the other games, it could be that NIU has 3 of 10 total conference wins against FBS opponents and the only wins over BCS opponents.

I am not sure "this" NIU team has done anything yet to lead anyone to believe they will run "roughshot" over anyone. This includes EIU. And you certainly do not win games on what past teams have accomplished. There is also nothing sacrilege about showing your opponent some respect. Most would have thought Michigan would have killed Akron. The final score was 28-24 and Akron had a legit shot at winning that game in the final seconds. Go ahead and compare Michigan and Akron if you want but that's why the games are not played on paper.
It is ok to "think" NIU will win the game. It is also ok to acknowledge the fact that EIU has scored 40 or greater points a game so far this year and could provide a challenge to NIU. When you do not respect an opponent, bad things happen. "This" NIU team needs to improve on both sides of the ball....

(09-17-2013 12:15 PM)HuskieJWN Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 11:31 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-17-2013 05:35 AM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  I'm sorry but if we are supposed to be top 25 material and there is no surprise factor of EIU being a capable opponent then we should blast then without question. Especially at home.


Sent from my iPhone.

I guess I do not understand this mindset especially coming from our perspective. Did not we just see Iowa fans disregarding NIU's chances because it was a smaller conference and that a Big Ten team "should never lose to a MAC team at home". We knew NIU had comparable talent to Iowa even though Iowa fans were not willing to look objectively at it. This is the same case with EIU, you cannot ignore that computer and statistical rankings have them as the 2nd toughest opponent on our schedule outside of Toledo. You just can't ignore that. If EIU were playing MSU at a neutral site this weekend, I'd take the Panthers, no question. It is not a smack in the face to the Huskies to say its going to be a close game with a chance to lose. EIU is playing at a top 40 or 50 FBS level right now, very similar to the huskies.

Throw EIU in with a top 50 FBS opponent on a neutral field they get demolished, Your MSU reference is actually really bad. I think MSU has a top 10 defense but a sub 75 offense. They beat Youngstown 55-17 last week. That same week Youngstown was ranked 23 and EIU was ranked 12. James Madison ranked 16 got beat by Akron.

This upset will not happen. I don't know how you legit thing EIU is even close to as talented as NIU. They would get rocked by Iowa as well. Again, would you give up any of our players for theirs. I can think of one guy who might start at NIU from EIU and that's the Lora kid. He's their main target and I think he's going to get pushed around.

LOGIC, REASON

Going thru EIU's game notes. http://eiupanthers.com/custompages/footb...linois.pdf

They have 5 total victories over FBS opponents. 1 was over the dreadful NIU team that lost 24 straight and one was this year over SDSU. Another reason to question MD's validity that EIU is a top FBS team right now. Track records often speak volumes, There isn't a recent trend that they've beaten quality FBS opponents to think otherwise.

Garappolo will gain yards, but I will say as I've said before. They don't have the depth, the special teams play, or talent NIU has. Not to metnion Huskie Stadium is so tough for opponents.

EIU was hoping for the same result that a lot of us were hoping for last week vs. Idaho. That we'd crush them and we'd come into the home opener with even higher expectations with the chance of looking ahead to Purdue next week.

Having a close game against Idaho may have been the best thing that could happen to us going into this game and the worst thing that could happen to EIU. Huskies will come out focused, determined to put last week's performance behind them, and to win in front of a hopefully packed house.

EIU's QB will throw for a lot of yards. It's inevitable. But after last week's performance, no way I can see that NIU lays an egg in the home opener. I'm expecting the defense to create some turnovers and Lynch to do what he typically does. Nothing in EIU's first 3 games suggests to me that they'll be able to do anything to stop Lynch as long as he doesn't turn the ball over.

NIU 38
EIU 17

Gonna be a fun night.

Huskies 52
Panthers 27

Most pumped I've been for a home NIU game in my life.



Huskies 48

Panthers 31

NIU 47
EIU 45

Eastern misses field goal at end, and we win!!!

(09-19-2013 03:32 PM)niu79 Wrote:  NIU 47
EIU 45

Eastern misses field goal at end, and we win!!!

If this right here happens, we deserve to be in the dogsh*t IAMS Papa Johns Humanitarian Poinsetta Bowl of 5/3rd Credit Union Bank of Podunk Bowl....

Goal posts in the lagoon!

NIU 59
EIU 24

And

Lynch Passing Yards > "The best passing QB in Illinois not named Cutler"

I predict happiness in The Dog House.
Huskies 42
EIU 21

I'm going with NIU 55 EIU 17.

NIU 38
EIU 31

NIU 70
EIU 35

Sure .. what the heck .. go big on the score .. go big or go home!

Watch it ends up being 10-7.

NIU 51
Jimmy Johns - 28