According to fbshedules.com our 2015 nonconference schedule is as follows:

09/05 UNLV
09/12 Murray State
09/19 At Ohio State
09/26 Wyoming

It also shows us at Wyoming in 2016 (I thought it was originally the reverse) and at Iowa in '18 and '20.

http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/mid-amer...uskies.php

Next year will be the first time in a long time that NIU has 7 home games. Good move and those 2 MWC teams are very beatable and OSU will be breaking in a new QB and replacing a lot of talent after this year.

This schedule will not get us into the big bowl game.

(02-23-2014 11:15 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  This schedule will not get us into the big bowl game.

huh? if we'd actually win out, beating the buckeyes and 2 MW teams? I think it's put us pretty far up in the discussion.

Not likely we will win all 4, but if we did...

(02-23-2014 11:15 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  This schedule will not get us into the big bowl game.

This makes zero sense. What is this "big bowl game" that you're referring to? You realize we went to the Orange Bowl after losing a game and playing a weaker schedule right? If we went 12-0 with that schedule we're going to be the top ranked G5 team.

(02-23-2014 11:15 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  This schedule will not get us into the big bowl game.

If for some reason we go to Columbus and beat OSU, that alone would be the marquee win we would need that season for the access bowl. Unless they end up being a 2-4 win team that year it would be a big selling point to the committee. They haven't lost a game there since 2011.

It's a smart schedule. Only thing I'd like to see would be Murray State replaced with another Group of Five school. Scheduling MW & AAC teams along with one marquee Big Ten/Power conference team is the way to go for an Access Bowl spot.

(02-23-2014 11:15 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  This schedule will not get us into the big bowl game.

Oh goodie. It's already staying.

(02-23-2014 11:15 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  This schedule will not get us into the big bowl game.

It is tougher than last year's schedule, that is not a question

Playing 1 FCS team is sound strategy, team needs a break, at least 1 game that should be a gimme. UNLV should be a decent opponent, how hard can it be to recruit talent to Vegas and the Wyoming coaching staff were the posse that built the powerhouse that is North Dakota State (3 FCS titles along with 2 wins over Minny and 1 each over Kansas State and Kansas the last 5 years) the 2nd game in that series will not be an easy win.

(02-24-2014 09:05 AM)Policiious Wrote:  Playing 1 FCS team is sound strategy, team needs a break, at least 1 game that should be a gimme. UNLV should be a decent opponent, how hard can it be to recruit talent to Vegas and the Wyoming coaching staff were the posse that built the powerhouse that is North Dakota State (3 FCS titles along with 2 wins over Minny and 1 each over Kansas State and Kansas the last 5 years) the 2nd game in that series will not be an easy win.

Not when you play in the MAC. 3/4 of the conference schedule is a gimme game. I know it's never going to happen, but the FCS game needs to stop.

If the Huskies beat Ohio State, having an FCS team on the schedule won't matter. 2015 will be a good year for NIU to catch OSU as they will be replacing Miller who is going for a 3rd straight Silver Football Award in 14. He won't be easy to replace. They will also be replacing all their 2013 sack and TFL leaders: Michael Bennett will be a Senior in 14, Noah Spencer as a SO last year was 2nd in B10 in sacks and 6th in TFL's, if he has another season like that in 14; he will go NFL a year early and not be back in 15. Joey Bosa as a redshirt Freshman was 6th in solo sacks with 6, tied for 3rd with 9 solo/assist Sacks and had 15 TFL's. He's already listed at 6-6 275 Red Frosh DL, if he has another year like that in 14 an NFL team will make him an offer he can't refuse as DE's get paid big $.

Ol Urban can recruit but that will be a huge load of talent to replace

The soph, junior and senior classes for 2015 for Ohio St are Top 5 recruiting classes, they'll be fine.