(11-04-2013 01:54 PM)Moosedeutsch Wrote:  52-31

Early pick six by JFW [/b]or a early sack by Bishop shake up their passing game. Also the weather appears to be on our side.
Our running offensive tears them a new one. Lynch gets some good highlight reel footage.

Has Jimmy F Ward officially changed his middle name yet ?

(11-04-2013 02:02 PM)NIU17 Wrote:  

(11-04-2013 01:54 PM)Moosedeutsch Wrote:  52-31

Early pick six by JFW [/b]or a early sack by Bishop shake up their passing game. Also the weather appears to be on our side.
Our running offensive tears them a new one. Lynch gets some good highlight reel footage.

Has Jimmy F Ward officially changed his middle name yet ?

He really should. It would be a classy middle name wouldn't it?

Everyone has talked about the Ball State passing game (and it deserves conversation) but the Cardinals haven't surrendered 30 points since....they lost to North Texas. NIU hasn't surrendered 30+ since the EIU game. And for all the complaints about the defense, it hasn't surrendered 20+ points since Kent State (obligatory comment about the crap competition inserted here).

That being said, I can't imagine either team scoring less than 30 in this one. It's a big time showdown with two awesome qb's with tons on the line. But I think people shouldn't be STUNNED if one or both of the defenses step up. Both have shown SOME ability....but the offenses are clearly expected to carry the play.

Like NIU, Ball State has done most of their work against bad teams, but they beat Toledo 31-24 at home. So it hasn't all been cupcakes. Like NIU, Ball State has also had the huevos to score late and win and win on the road. Ball State also has Jahwan Edwards, a pretty good running back.

This is a seriously tough game to call from a logical standpoint. Emotionally, for some reason, I feel good about NIU. NIU just doesn't lose at home, they've overcome multiple deficits on the road, and Jordan Lynch is healthy and Jordan Lynch like. And though coming from behind all the time is frustrating, the coaches have shown the ability to make in game changes that help the Huskies win in the second half.

I expect it to be close at the end, even if one of the teams opens up a lead. But Lynch doesn't melt down and turn the ball over multiple times (like EVER, even when he's off), I trust the coaching staff a lot more than I thought I would at this point, and NIU just doesn't lose at home.

NIU 38, Ball State 31.

Is it possible for NIU to cancel night classes no Nov 13th or is that crossing the line? This is such a critical night for both the university and the football team. There needs to be bodies in the stadium. I know we are still 9 days about, but marketing from NIU is not quite what I expected to this point.

(11-04-2013 07:14 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Is it possible for NIU to cancel night classes no Nov 13th or is that crossing the line? This is such a critical night for both the university and the football team. There needs to be bodies in the stadium. I know we are still 9 days about, but marketing from NIU is not quite what I expected to this point.

I think schools like Texas have done this in the past for big games during the week.

(11-04-2013 07:17 PM)timxlydon Wrote:  

(11-04-2013 07:14 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Is it possible for NIU to cancel night classes no Nov 13th or is that crossing the line? This is such a critical night for both the university and the football team. There needs to be bodies in the stadium. I know we are still 9 days about, but marketing from NIU is not quite what I expected to this point.

I think schools like Texas have done this in the past for big games during the week.

I know you probably take a hit academic reputation wise by doing this, but if it brings more people, it might be worth it in this very rare instance. I hope NIU athletic department realizes how important attendance is for this game, so far its been pretty quiet about this game.

NIU 50
BALLS 42

Don't cancel classes. Plenty of people in attendance.

Part of the marketing campaign should be "Biggest game in Huskie Stadium history" When you think about it, it really is.

Here is what I fear from a marketing standpoint. most of these big weeknight games have been against UT. UT does bring out more than normal people because they are our one-sided rival. Ball State does not have that curb appeal of a UT. My fear is that the athletic department is estimating attendance based on past UT games, that is a mistake if they are doing that.

Any game that got NIU to Detroit was bigger than this. WMU in 2005. EMU in 2011. Toledo last year.

(11-04-2013 07:37 PM)7 Wrote:  Any game that got NIU to Detroit was bigger than this. WMU in 2005. EMU in 2011. Toledo last year.

There was also that BCS game last year, I think. I think that happened.

(11-04-2013 07:40 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  

(11-04-2013 07:37 PM)7 Wrote:  Any game that got NIU to Detroit was bigger than this. WMU in 2005. EMU in 2011. Toledo last year.

There was also that BCS game last year, I think. I think that happened.

HS game. I think it's bigger than the games above. If we lose, we lose MACC, national rankings, and publicity for the rest of the year.

How about the game we played that won the West last that year, that you know, led to NIU going to the Orange Bowl?

(11-04-2013 07:44 PM)NIU17 Wrote:  

(11-04-2013 07:40 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  

(11-04-2013 07:37 PM)7 Wrote:  Any game that got NIU to Detroit was bigger than this. WMU in 2005. EMU in 2011. Toledo last year.

There was also that BCS game last year, I think. I think that happened.

HS game. I think it's bigger than the games above. If we lose, we lose MACC, national rankings, and publicity for the rest of the year.

I've always been of the mind that you don't know how important a game is 'til later (unless it's obvious). We'll have to wait and see how the season ends before we know how important this game is/was.

(11-04-2013 07:44 PM)7 Wrote:  How about the game we played that won the West last that year, that you know, led to NIU going to the Orange Bowl?

definitely the same type of game and I think it would have been bigger, but Toledo lost the week before and took some of the wind out of the game.

(11-04-2013 07:44 PM)7 Wrote:  How about the game we played that won the West last that year, that you know, led to NIU going to the Orange Bowl?

In terms of importance of one single game, this is by far and away the biggest. For that Toledo game last year, we needed 12 other things to happen. Some feel that NIU controls its destiny if they win out this year. I think its not even close that this is the biggest game played at Huskie Stadium.

The offense has been absolutely unstoppable the last few weeks, and Lynch has played basically one full game in those 2 games. I think he is absolutely going to go off in this game. Something like 300 passing and 200 rushing. I also think TLL is going to have a monster game. I don't think there will be an RB that cracks 50 yds. I think it will be the Jordan Lynch show. I'm not sure of a score, but I am 100% confident that Lynch brings this one home.

JL will certainly take matters in his own hands -- as well as he should. Listen, this game has huge ramifications. We haven't been undefeated since the 60s and we have a good chance for a BCS bowl that we have all had our eyes on since the beginning of the year. Yes the MACC title game was huge last year but the possibility of an unbeaten year and the BCS Bowl we've all had our eyes on all year would make this the season for the ages.

I'll go with the same game as 2 years ago.

We get down early (as we have many times this year) and bounce back for 41-38 win.

NIU - W
Ball State - L

It's worked so far.

As long as the fireworks go off early again as we take the lead to win it, I'm OK.