Article fom Hustle Belt: Who is Illinois' Best College Football Team? Been written about before, but a little bit of history before this weekend's game.

http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2...-best-team

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lets get thru NW first.

Northwestern should win being at home, but if NIU won that definitely would raise some eyes. IMO this game is really for "Best Team This Year" (maybe, depending on how convincing it is), the best program in the state is Northern Illinois right now no matter what happens Saturday.

If NIU wants to claim they have the best program they need to beat NU and/or the Illness at least once. Its past time that we won one of these games and I hope that it happens this Saturday.

(09-04-2014 05:51 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  If NIU wants to claim they have the best program they need to beat NU and/or the Illness at least once. Its past time that we won one of these games and I hope that it happens this Saturday.

Completely disagree, if you go back and look, NIU has largely been the away team and has not played any of these teams recently outside of Illinois in 2010 which again was at Illinois. NIU has as many wins in recent years as teams like FSU/Alabama/etc, and has been to a BCS bowl most recently. NIU is by far far far and away the best program in Illinois as stated by the article above, but the best team THIS year is up for grabs this Saturday.

(09-04-2014 05:51 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  If NIU wants to claim they have the best program they need to beat NU and/or the Illness at least once. Its past time that we won one of these games and I hope that it happens this Saturday.

My view as well. That's why this is such an important game. Need a W against an FBS school from Illinois to be considered the best.


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(09-04-2014 06:21 PM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  

(09-04-2014 05:51 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  If NIU wants to claim they have the best program they need to beat NU and/or the Illness at least once. Its past time that we won one of these games and I hope that it happens this Saturday.

My view as well. That's why this is such an important game. Need a W against an FBS school from Illinois to be considered the best.


Sent from my iPhone.

In a transition year for NIU with the game at their place, NU should definitely hold serve and win this game, if it were at DeKalb obviously NIU would have the advantage.

(09-04-2014 06:24 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-04-2014 06:21 PM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  

(09-04-2014 05:51 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  If NIU wants to claim they have the best program they need to beat NU and/or the Illness at least once. Its past time that we won one of these games and I hope that it happens this Saturday.

My view as well. That's why this is such an important game. Need a W against an FBS school from Illinois to be considered the best.


Sent from my iPhone.

In a transition year for NIU with the game at their place, NU should definitely hold serve and win this game, if it were at DeKalb obviously NIU would have the advantage.

Have to win key games during transition years as well. No rebuilding only reloading. Staying power is the key to long term success.


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(09-04-2014 06:24 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-04-2014 06:21 PM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  

(09-04-2014 05:51 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  If NIU wants to claim they have the best program they need to beat NU and/or the Illness at least once. Its past time that we won one of these games and I hope that it happens this Saturday.

My view as well. That's why this is such an important game. Need a W against
Sent from my iPhone.

In a transition year for NIU with the game at their place, NU should definitely hold serve and win this game, if it were at DeKalb obviously NIU would have the advantage.

We will learn a lot about this year's team on Saturday. It is tough to draw too many conclusions from last week's game.

(09-04-2014 06:24 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-04-2014 06:21 PM)JCCNIU31 Wrote:  

(09-04-2014 05:51 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  If NIU wants to claim they have the best program they need to beat NU and/or the Illness at least once. Its past time that we won one of these games and I hope that it happens this Saturday.

My view as well. That's why this is such an important game. Need a W against an FBS school from Illinois to be considered the best.


Sent from my iPhone.

In a transition year for NIU with the game at their place, NU should definitely hold serve and win this game, if it were at DeKalb obviously NIU would have the advantage.

Neither of them will ever agree to playing in Dekalb, so this is a moot point. If anything, it would be on a neutral field.

(09-04-2014 05:12 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Northwestern should win being at home, but if NIU won that definitely would raise some eyes. IMO this game is really for "Best Team This Year" (maybe, depending on how convincing it is), the best program in the state is Northern Illinois right now no matter what happens Saturday.

Big Ten is terrible right? NIU should dismantle them according to your logic on previous threads.

(09-04-2014 05:51 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  If NIU wants to claim they have the best program they need to beat NU and/or the Illness at least once. Its past time that we won one of these games and I hope that it happens this Saturday.

I agree 100%.
I also expect to win which is different than 2005 when I hoped for a win.
The time is now!!
For those about to rock we salute you!!