Five topics:

1. Loaded, almost. With a dazzling array of offensive skill players, another sterling offensive front and solid pieces on the outer edges of its defense, Northern Illinois seems again prepared to charge toward the MAC title. Oh, one concern: Jordan Lynch is no longer playing quarterback. That position battle is perhaps the league's biggest storyline this spring, but the Huskies must also address the interior of the defensive line and the back end of the defense. This year's team looks like a 10-win lock despite some personnel issues, which would follow a trend: NIU was slightly weaker in 2013 than 2012, and the same should occur in the shift from 2013 to 2014.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nca...n/6946839/

(03-27-2014 12:06 PM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  Five topics:

1. Loaded, almost. With a dazzling array of offensive skill players, another sterling offensive front and solid pieces on the outer edges of its defense, Northern Illinois seems again prepared to charge toward the MAC title. Oh, one concern: Jordan Lynch is no longer playing quarterback. That position battle is perhaps the league's biggest storyline this spring, but the Huskies must also address the interior of the defensive line and the back end of the defense. This year's team looks like a 10-win lock despite some personnel issues, which would follow a trend: NIU was slightly weaker in 2013 than 2012, and the same should occur in the shift from 2013 to 2014.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nca...n/6946839/

Lock seems a bit over the top considering the non-conf slate starting at NIU, so you split the non-conf and they are saying its a lock NIU goes undefeated the rest of the way. I think 7 wins is a lock and 10 is the ceiling , 6 the floor.

They have the NIU QB competition as the 5th position to watch

5. Northern Illinois QB (To Be Determined). A three-person springtime competition – Matt McIntosh, Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie – adds a fourth contender, freshman Landon Root, during the summer.

Overall its been the most positive pre pre season review of NIU.

Others don't even have us as a lock for a bowl.

(03-27-2014 01:51 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Overall its been the most positive pre pre season review of NIU.

Others don't even have us as a lock for a bowl.

Yes I do think this review is more of a reward for the past several season. This certainly is not shaping up to a great team. The defense is just going to get gashed early and often. The offense really would have to exceed expectations to get to 8 wins IMO.

(03-27-2014 02:00 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 01:51 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Overall its been the most positive pre pre season review of NIU.

Others don't even have us as a lock for a bowl.

Yes I do think this review is more of a reward for the past several season. This certainly is not shaping up to a great team. The defense is just going to get gashed early and often. The offense really would have to exceed expectations to get to 8 wins IMO.

An offense that was the MAC's best ever and that returns about 10 starters will have trouble? WOOOOOW

(03-27-2014 02:07 PM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 02:00 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 01:51 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Overall its been the most positive pre pre season review of NIU.

Others don't even have us as a lock for a bowl.

Yes I do think this review is more of a reward for the past several season. This certainly is not shaping up to a great team. The defense is just going to get gashed early and often. The offense really would have to exceed expectations to get to 8 wins IMO.

An offense that was the MAC's best ever and that returns about 10 starters will have trouble? WOOOOOW

To make up for the defensive holes, the offensive is going to have to exceed the good offense expectation and be a great offense to keep up with the rate we will be giving up points

(03-27-2014 02:00 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 01:51 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Overall its been the most positive pre pre season review of NIU.

Others don't even have us as a lock for a bowl.

Yes I do think this review is more of a reward for the past several season. This certainly is not shaping up to a great team. The defense is just going to get gashed early and often. The offense really would have to exceed expectations to get to 8 wins IMO.

how do you know that, did you tout last years team prior to the season as a great team. for someone who has no access to the daily workouts and film, you sure can make judgements.

(03-27-2014 02:29 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 02:00 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 01:51 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  Overall its been the most positive pre pre season review of NIU.

Others don't even have us as a lock for a bowl.

Yes I do think this review is more of a reward for the past several season. This certainly is not shaping up to a great team. The defense is just going to get gashed early and often. The offense really would have to exceed expectations to get to 8 wins IMO.

how do you know that, did you tout last years team prior to the season as a great team. for someone who has no access to the daily workouts and film, you sure can make judgements.

You think NIU's defense is going to be good? What are you basing it on? Since you obviously have more information that I have having attended the workouts and film sessions, I would like to know what you have seen to give you cause for optimism about the defense. I actually am serious I want to know because I would love to feel good about the defense.

I bet it's better than last year.

(03-27-2014 03:07 PM)7 Wrote:  I bet it's better than last year.

Larry English was once a freshman unknown that no one expected would rise to rise to the top of the MAC before his sophomore year. There may be some jewels in this freshman class.

The defense was bad two years ago. The defense was worse last year. The defense has lost its best players. Why and how will the defense be better? The one thing the defense has going for them is the conference will be down.

(03-27-2014 03:45 PM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 03:07 PM)7 Wrote:  I bet it's better than last year.

Larry English was once a freshman unknown that no one expected would rise to rise to the top of the MAC before his sophomore year. There may be some jewels in this freshman class.

I wouldn't be surprised to see two freshman taking over the CB position (Hallmon and Olootu). Also Peyton should be an awesome linebacker for the future, as well with Bass there to show him the ropes. The D-line is where I am worried. This is the one position I am anxious to see over the next few months. With Dunbar supposedly coming in, as well as the newcomers having to step up, it'll be interesting for sure.

(03-27-2014 03:55 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  The defense was bad two years ago. The defense was worse last year. The defense has lost its best players. Why and how will the defense be better? The one thing the defense has going for them is the conference will be down.

The defense was good in 2011, average in 2012, and ATROCIOUS in 2013.

(03-27-2014 03:57 PM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 03:55 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  The defense was bad two years ago. The defense was worse last year. The defense has lost its best players. Why and how will the defense be better? The one thing the defense has going for them is the conference will be down.

The defense was good in 2011, average in 2012, and ATROCIOUS in 2013.

The defense was bad for most of 2011, and better in 2012.

The defense wasn't as bad as many people make it seem besides the MAC title game.

They gave up 10 points total in the second halves of the Ball St/Toledo games. 27 to Iowa isn't bad. 24 to Purdue, including garbage time scores isn't bad either. Giving up points in the 20's to those teams doesn't make you say they're a great defense but the stink from the MAC title game clouds peoples memories. They did give up more points then you would like against EIU/Idaho but they got stops when they needed.

Below average? Sure
Atrocious? No.

(03-27-2014 04:15 PM)PrideinthePack Wrote:  The defense wasn't as bad as many people make it seem besides the MAC title game.

They gave up 10 points total in the second halves of the Ball St/Toledo games. 27 to Iowa isn't bad. 24 to Purdue, including garbage time scores isn't bad either. Giving up points in the 20's to those teams doesn't make you say they're a great defense but the stink from the MAC title game clouds peoples memories. They did give up more points then you would like against EIU/Idaho but they got stops when they needed.

Below average? Sure
Atrocious? No.

+1 ...well said

With Jimmie Ward gone, the defense has a massive void to fill. There are question marks on the Defensive Line, but there is talent ready to step up. Bass is a four year starter, and so is Santa (made starts in each of the last three seasons). Durante needs to have a huge season. Mays and Gordon are returning starters. Meehan, Ippolito, Ford, Moore, Logan and Peyton have all had significant playing time. Look for Smaha and Brandon Mayes to be in the mix. Folliard showed promise in limited time. For this defense to be solid, we need the veteran players to have their best seasons, and two or three of the new players need to emerge as playmakers.

(03-27-2014 04:15 PM)PrideinthePack Wrote:  The defense wasn't as bad as many people make it seem besides the MAC title game.

They gave up 10 points total in the second halves of the Ball St/Toledo games. 27 to Iowa isn't bad. 24 to Purdue, including garbage time scores isn't bad either. Giving up points in the 20's to those teams doesn't make you say they're a great defense but the stink from the MAC title game clouds peoples memories. They did give up more points then you would like against EIU/Idaho but they got stops when they needed.

Below average? Sure
Atrocious? No.

That was a great job of coaching by the coaches, honestly. There wasn't a single unit on that team that was even average, other than safety.

(03-27-2014 03:07 PM)7 Wrote:  I bet it's better than last year.

I agree with this. There will be lots of DIFFERENT weapons this year, returning solid line, A Daniels is back, plus the recruiting has been a lot better the last few years. Lynch was possibly NIU's best player ever but he had a lot around him that was underutilized.

(03-27-2014 08:06 PM)prairiedawg Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 03:07 PM)7 Wrote:  I bet it's better than last year.

I agree with this. There will be lots of DIFFERENT weapons this year, returning solid line, A Daniels is back, plus the recruiting has been a lot better the last few years. Lynch was possibly NIU's best player ever but he had a lot around him that was underutilized.

I think that was in regards to the defense though