(09-22-2014 11:15 AM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 11:12 AM)HuskieRak Wrote:  SON OF A........

Guess who's on his honeymoon during NIU-Toledo? Royal Caribbean better have ESPN.

They do. Just go one of the many sports bars aboard and they'll have it on. Can even watch poolside if you prefer.

Phew.. Don't have to cancel the wedding now.

(09-22-2014 12:00 PM)HuskieRak Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 11:15 AM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 11:12 AM)HuskieRak Wrote:  SON OF A........

Guess who's on his honeymoon during NIU-Toledo? Royal Caribbean better have ESPN.

They do. Just go one of the many sports bars aboard and they'll have it on. Can even watch poolside if you prefer.

Phew.. Don't have to cancel the wedding now.

Still might want to consider it.

Here's the conference schedule:
vs. Kent - Big Win. NIU takes their aggression out on Kent like they're a red-headed step child with a limp.
vs. CMU - It's in DeKalb. NIU will win. With Davis possibly being back, may give NIU troubles at the most.
vs. Miami - Miami is a bit dangerous this year. But NIU won't be overlooking toward EMU. A win, although a bit of a close game (see UNLV).*
@ EMU - NIU beats down on the Emoos like a red-headed step child just for fun, without even trying.
@ Ball State - NIU handles BSU's ground game well. That's all BSU has this year, but NIU's looking forward to Toledo which could hurt them.*
vs. Toledo - Oh, it's in DeKalb. If Toledo doesn't get their act together of operating efficiently, NIU will definitely win. Biggest Game of Year.
@ Ohio - Will only be trouble if Ohio is in the race against against Akron & BGSU for the East title, but NIU will be prepared, especially if it has a MAC loss.
@ WMU - What you thought CMU being a possible tough match, this could actually be it with PJ Fleck on the road; especially if NIU is looking toward MACC.*

Even before Arkansas game, NIU's main goal should have been to win the MAC West & MACC, even if there's a great chance for a BCS Bowl.

In the end, I see NIU losing a game -- I'd bet good money on that. They just can't lose it to Toledo. They should be thankful it's at home.

* = Possible losses that'll catch them by surprise, or be one of those "omg, if we would have lost that game, I would have...". All 3 will not be easy-peasy.

Miami isn't dangerous this year. They're 0-4 with a loss to an FCS team. It can't be a trap game because it comes before and after two crappy squads.

The game is also at home, if NIU loses the home streak it will be to Toledo, nobody else on that schedule.

Ball state doesn't scare me, either does Ohio, just watch them play.

Quote:Miami isn't dangerous this year. They're 0-4 with a loss to an FCS team. It can't be a trap game because it comes before and after two crappy squads.

Good point. But playing Marshall to 2TDs, while being closer than Ohio & Akron which were stomps... plus playing Cinci down to the wire, much better than Toledo did -- I would say with a new, arguably "over qualified" coach in there, they're not a cheesy 0-4 team. The loss to an FCS -- yes. Bad mark, as you point out. But with Marshall, Michigan, and Cincinnati as their other 3 games, their overall record shouldn't be the marker. I think whatever danger-level they have can't be Too great until the last 1/3rd of the season comes around maybe?

Ball State shouldn't scare ya, although they have a decent coach and are in an adjustment this year with a good running game.

That Marshall game was obviously their best game. I'm still unsure of what to think of Marshall although they walloped Ohio and Akron.

Haven't seen the score, looked at the box score of the Cincy Miami game so have no comment there. Michigan just isn't good, but I understand they have far superior talent than Miami.

I just don't see that as a possible loss for NIU.

I really just think it's Toledo or nobody. Talent wise, that's definitely the case. I mean ball state is well coached, but it's a rivalry game so I don't see NIU overlooking them. CMU may be tricky, but it's at home and again, they have less talent. (As evident by how horrible they are without Davis and Rawls)

The most tricky game besides Toledo is WMU. On the road, late season, franklin looks good and potentially the week before the MACC if NIU wins the west. But there's a big talent gap there as well.

I don't mean to sound arrogant, just given the state of the MAC and knowing that NIU has played well with key players missing I just don't see anything worse than a 10-2 regular season.

Toughest to Cake walk:

Toledo
Ohio-tough place week after Toledo
BSU-road game and still have good players on O. We should just run all over them tho
Miami-think they are the most improved team in the Mac and we get them on the end of a 3 game home stand. Could be a letdown game...huskie stadium may be flat
WMU-tough game on that Friday especially if we are headed to Detroit. I think they could possibly be in position for win 6 which will also give them motivation.
CMU-definitely down but still sneaky enough to pose a threat. Considering it's homecoming tho I think our guys come amped.
EMU-fugly
Kent St.-back at home, well rested and they are a dumpster fire.

Quote:I just don't see that as a possible loss for NIU.

That Miami game is at @NIU, so yeah. I think that's key. Possible problems, maybe. They lost to Cinci by 7, and it was tied late in the 4th Q. The loss to the FCS -- remember, they have a lot of coagulating to do after being 0-12, so I would think especially in the 1st half of the season, you're going to see weird sh!t like that when there's something brewing. But if NIU is on-point mentally, etc -- I agree, I wouldn't call it a potential loss. I would say "don't overlook, your team will look bad for the Top 25 chase". AT Miami? If NIU had the "it's Toledo or nothing" -- then I would say a potential loss if NIU has a bad night (see Idaho last year).

Quote:I don't mean to sound arrogant, just given the state of the MAC and knowing that NIU has played well with key players missing I just don't see anything worse than a 10-2 regular season.

If NIU is on-point, focused, and plays serious & strong every game -- I agree. They shouldn't be worse than 10-2, and would lean toward 11-1. But college football isn't that easy of course. And like the rest of the MAC teams as a whole, I think NIU isn't quite as good as last year. However, Toledo, CMU, BGSU, and Akron "should be" better, but at best seem to be maybe about the same or a bit worse at least. WMU is the dark-horse thorn in the side for those trying to capture the East or West ... while NIU *does* seem to have the key -- signs of stability. In the wacky-MAC, that is a great thing to have. If Toledo had it, they would have played Missouri closer on the scoreboard and very possibly beat Cinci, which 0-4 Miami-OH almost did.

(09-22-2014 11:12 AM)HuskieRak Wrote:  SON OF A........

Guess who's on his honeymoon during NIU-Toledo? Royal Caribbean better have ESPN.

I watched the MACC game when we went to the Orange Bowl while on a cruise ship. The only MACC involving the Huskies I didn't make. Enjoyed the cruise, but I'm checking the MACC date next time..

(09-22-2014 08:12 PM)HUSKIEFOOTBALLFAN Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 11:12 AM)HuskieRak Wrote:  SON OF A........

Guess who's on his honeymoon during NIU-Toledo? Royal Caribbean better have ESPN.

I watched the MACC game when we went to the Orange Bowl while on a cruise ship. The only MACC involving the Huskies I didn't make. Enjoyed the cruise, but I'm checking the MACC date next time..

I watched the Orange Bowl on a cruise. Yeah, wasn't the same.