I don't mean about the results, because this will probably be another slugfest with either team capable of coming out on top. I mean more about the atmosphere surrounding NIU and the game.

In 2010 and 2011 they still hadn't won the MAC in 28 years, so that was on our minds. 2012 and 2013 there were BCS implications. This year, yeah there's a chance at the Access Bowl, but really not much else.

I actually feel more relaxed about this game than any of the previous 4.

I felt like this before last year's MACC game. Be warned.

I'm not nearly as emotionally invested into this year's team as the past few years. I understand that there is a very good chance that the Huskies don't win. There is such a small chance that the Huskies make the Peach Bowl that I'm not even going to worry about that at all. I'm just glad to be going back to Detroit.

I'd have to agree with Barsema for the reasons mentioned.

There is also less "buzz" among the fan base which I believe will transfer to attendance in Detroit. Here's the last 4 years:

2010: 12K
2011: 13K
2012: 18K
2013: 21K

I'm gonna guess about 15K for 2014.

Apologies in advance if this turns into an attendance thread but I believe it's related to Barsema's accurate observation.

I felt the same way going into the Poinsettia Bowl, but once the game started I was a stressed out freak. I understand what you mean, but come game time it will hit you

Nothing can be taken for granted with this years NIU FB team.
Kudu's for reaching 10 wins this season despite injuries and loss of Jordan Lynch.
Last year BGSU beat us easily with Lynch.
If BGSU plays its top game in the MACC this could be another double digit loss.
If it is close NIU might win.

Chris Hagan will need to be accurate.
Do not see BGSU having 5 or more turnovers.
So far the last 6 games have been Wins.
Would be incredible to win in Detroit and avenge last years humiliating loss.

If the NIU that beat WMU and UT shows up, then they should win comfortably. If they don't, then BGSU will win comfortably.

I really do think BGSU would be the #5 MAC team and I stand by that. NIU should win this game.

NIU is favored to win which is always bad for us. I think we have been favored in everyone.
It will never be comfortable or easy and I really expect us to lose this one.

It's Detroit. I expect the worse.

(12-01-2014 07:09 PM)HuskieRak Wrote:  It's Detroit. I expect the worse.

This is so unpredicatable I can't worry anymore.

I have been less emotionally invested in this team this year. Every other year if we lose I take it really hard. Like it ruins a whole day hard. Not sure why I feel different this year. Maybe because I set my mind early on that I was expecting an 8-4 or even 7 - 5 year.

That said, I would hope that we exact some revenge on BG & our guys remain calm during the game & play hard. It IS the MACC and anything can happen though.

Does anyone know if Coach Carey is in talks with other schools for greener pastures?
If he is clearly focused on this game, NIU has a good chance.

1) not worried about coaching distractions....Carey isn't going anywhere, he will be in DeKalb for the 2015 season
2) I'm impressed that this team posted a 10-2 record....I had them at 8-4 at best
3) I don't see a repeat of last year....why? I don't know, but BGSU was over rated going into this year
4) NIU wins the game.....not talking a blowout, but we take it by 6-7 pts
5) I look for strong games from Daniels, Turner and Joel B.
6) we're going to the GoDaddy bowl
7) Final thought: Da Bears will beat the Cowboys....why? because it's the Super Bowl for the Monsters of the Midway

Not as nervous now as there is less on the line...its amazing that this program has come so far that the MACC is now another game. That being said, I'm going to be freaking out like I normally do...this season has been a tough one for my heart and carpet as I'm always frantically pacing around between plays.

Have we stopped calling this a rebuilding year yet? Lol.

Joking aside, for a year that was supposed to be rebuilding, every win passed 7 is extra for me.

(12-01-2014 08:08 PM)bigdhuskie Wrote:  1) not worried about coaching distractions....Carey isn't going anywhere, he will be in DeKalb for the 2015 season
2) I'm impressed that this team posted a 10-2 record....I had them at 8-4 at best
3) I don't see a repeat of last year....why? I don't know, but BGSU was over rated going into this year
4) NIU wins the game.....not talking a blowout, but we take it by 6-7 pts
5) I look for strong games from Daniels, Turner and Joel B.
6) we're going to the GoDaddy bowl
7) Final thought: Da Bears will beat the Cowboys....why? because it's the Super Bowl for the Monsters of the Midway

Hope you are correct.
I agree a 10-2 record is very impressive.
In 2003 we were 10-2. In 2010(11-3),2011(11-3),2012(12-2),2013 (12-2).
This is the 5th straight year of 10 or more wins!!!!!
The is the 6th time in the last 14 years.
NIU FB results since 2010 has been spectacular.

With some luck NIU might go 12-2 for the third year in a row!!!
Then again each of the last 6 wins have been hard fought.
I expect nothing less in the next two games.
Win or lose Friday, NIU FB has had another great season for the record books.

There is a weird irony in this one...I have lower expectations of this team vs any previous version of the Huskies in Detroit yet I couldn't be more confident that we will win.

I haven't bet on a game after the 2010 debacle...until now. So we are probably doomed.

Seriously tho...it's less about us vs having no confidence in BG. They just aren't that good. Plus add in the revenge factor and this team's moxy and I don't even think a letdown is an option.

Not really. We always play like sh!t in Detroit. Can we win? Absolutely. Will we? I think so. Will it be a heart pounding, butt puckering, heart attack inducing Friday night? You betcha.

(12-01-2014 10:08 PM)niu_1087 Wrote:  Not really. We always play like sh!t in Detroit. Can we win? Absolutely. Will we? I think so. Will it be a heart pounding, butt puckering, heart attack inducing Friday night? You betcha.

+1. We have never played well in Detroit, and I don't see that changing this year. Makes no difference who we play.

I don't want them to go 2-3 in MACCs (not counting 2005). All these wins and only 2 titles would be a big letdown, especially against a BG team that isn't that strong this year. Since we never play well in Detroit, I'll be about as nervous as usual. I mean last year I thought we might lose but I really didn't figure we'd get torched.