(09-22-2014 03:35 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 03:12 PM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 03:04 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 11:28 AM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  Why does it matter what the top 25 is? Given the MAC's extreme down year, NIU won't be seeing the top 25 even if they win out. So, you know, let it go and such. Just relax knowing that we should easily win the MAC WEST, MACC, and our bowl games against the Sun Belt.

We would most certainly see top 25 if we win out, especially if Arkansas stays strong.

If Arkansas manages to win 8 or so games, then MAAAYYYYYBBBEEE if we win out we will. But if they only win 6 or 7, I just doubt we will, unless we beat every MAC team by 21 or more.

6 or 7 years ago you could say an 8-1 or 9-1 MAC team would be ranked for sure. But with the battle lines drawn with the power 5 and everyone else, those votes are more reluctantly given. NIU could get back into the top 25 but I don't think it would happen until a MACC victory and a 12-1 mark

Exactly, it has much more to do with the P5, G5 divide than anything. Now more than ever G5 teams are looked upon as lessor teams, even though as we all know the Big Ten is a joke, but that's a whole other conversation. It's the sad reality of today, all we can do is win all our games and see where the cards fall.

(09-22-2014 02:24 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Arkansas is getting a bit ripped off in the polls. I have a feeling its only because of the daunting schedule ahead of them, that pollsters figure, why vote this team in when they are just going to lose against A and M. I have news for these pollsters, Arkansas is going to beat A and M.

If the spread has A&M up 8, then I'll be placing money on Arkansas. Definitely think Arkansas can pound out a win... They'll bleed out the clock, and hopefully control the ball so that A&M can't do anything on offense.

(09-22-2014 03:04 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 11:28 AM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  Why does it matter what the top 25 is? Given the MAC's extreme down year, NIU won't be seeing the top 25 even if they win out. So, you know, let it go and such. Just relax knowing that we should easily win the MAC WEST, MACC, and our bowl games against the Sun Belt.

We would most certainly see top 25 if we win out, especially if Arkansas stays strong.

No way NIU sees the top 25. East Carolina getting all the pub now. Winning every mac game won't matter to anyone, after getting pummeled by Arky. Everyone will continue to refer to that game.
Can't wait to see who we play in 2045.

(09-22-2014 05:50 PM)chazb2 Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 03:04 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 11:28 AM)DogPoundNorth Wrote:  Why does it matter what the top 25 is? Given the MAC's extreme down year, NIU won't be seeing the top 25 even if they win out. So, you know, let it go and such. Just relax knowing that we should easily win the MAC WEST, MACC, and our bowl games against the Sun Belt.

We would most certainly see top 25 if we win out, especially if Arkansas stays strong.

No way NIU sees the top 25. East Carolina getting all the pub now. Winning every mac game won't matter to anyone, after getting pummeled by Arky. Everyone will continue to refer to that game.
Can't wait to see who we play in 2045.

Has there ever been an unranked 12-1 team?

Quote:No way NIU sees the top 25. East Carolina getting all the pub now. Winning every mac game won't matter to anyone, after getting pummeled by Arky. Everyone will continue to refer to that game.

You're forgetting something. With the Big East/AAC now in the G5, there's actually going to be an extra mid-major (or two) in the rankings compared to yesteryear when the mid-majors have some teams. So it's not "a maximum of 1 or 2" mid-majors in the rankings. ECU will be there. But that doesn't mean Cincinnati can't be ranked up until their game late in the season because of it... or that Marshall can't, or Boise can't if they pile up wins. Same goes with NIU.

Not all G5 teams are going to go undefeated the rest of the way until last-2-games-of-the-seasons, though -- not even close. :) But any of the better G5 teams, winning out the rest of the way, will be ranked no-doubt by the last game or two of the regular season -- yes, even if there's 2 or more.

(09-22-2014 07:48 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:No way NIU sees the top 25. East Carolina getting all the pub now. Winning every mac game won't matter to anyone, after getting pummeled by Arky. Everyone will continue to refer to that game.

You're forgetting something. With the Big East/AAC now in the G5, there's actually going to be an extra mid-major (or two) in the rankings compared to yesteryear when the mid-majors have some teams. So it's not "a maximum of 1 or 2" mid-majors in the rankings. ECU will be there. But that doesn't mean Cincinnati can't be ranked up until their game late in the season because of it... or that Marshall can't, or Boise can't if they pile up wins. Same goes with NIU.

Not all G5 teams are going to go undefeated the rest of the way until last-2-games-of-the-seasons, though -- not even close. :) But any of the better G5 teams, winning out the rest of the way, will be ranked no-doubt by the last game or two of the regular season -- yes, even if there's 2 or more.

Way too complicated--none of that is going to happen anyway.

It wont happen just because all the teams NIU need to catch like Marshall, Cincinatti, and ECU play cupcakes the rest of the way.