(06-17-2015 03:45 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(06-17-2015 03:32 PM)7 Wrote:  I just don't see UNLV being able to slow down NIU's offense. IIRC, NIU put up 600 yards of offense in Vegas last year.

And they put up 500 yards against us.

Yeah, but it was a billion degrees outside, the game was halfway across the country, and NIU's young secondary really struggled to cover Davis who is no longer there.

Quote:I don't think a football coach coming from a high school program is going to make them that much better by week one.

Well, I don't know if it's the high school program thing in and of itself -- but a new coach in general taking over a team that hit rock bottom. In some ways, yeah, I could see them singing off-key, of Course. In other ways, when you're at rock bottom, you can only go up, not down compared to the previous year.

Quote:I also don't think the Huskies defense breaks down as much as last year. It's not easy winning in Huskies Stadium, either.

I think NIU will have its screws tightened as such. And yes, this is not CMU, so it's completely safe to say NIU will win at home. But the issue is the spread of course. I see it being like a 14.5pt spread. I see NIU having a solid lead a lot of the game but not able to "break away" for good, or a big lead whittled down to somewhat competitive every time they start to break away.... and in the end winning by close to 2 TDs, around 13-17pts. I say that with last year's game in mind, mind you. And last year NIU playing too close to some of the MAC's non-finest -- so the ball's in their court at this point, IMO, to justify having a 20+ point spread to a rebuilding fellow mid-major.

(06-18-2015 01:14 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:I don't think a football coach coming from a high school program is going to make them that much better by week one.

Well, I don't know if it's the high school program thing in and of itself -- but a new coach in general taking over a team that hit rock bottom. In some ways, yeah, I could see them singing off-key, of Course. In other ways, when you're at rock bottom, you can only go up, not down compared to the previous year.

Tell that to EMU.

(06-18-2015 01:14 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:I also don't think the Huskies defense breaks down as much as last year. It's not easy winning in Huskies Stadium, either.

I think NIU will have its screws tightened as such. And yes, this is not CMU, so it's completely safe to say NIU will win at home. But the issue is the spread of course. I see it being like a 14.5pt spread. I see NIU having a solid lead a lot of the game but not able to "break away" for good, or a big lead whittled down to somewhat competitive every time they start to break away.... and in the end winning by close to 2 TDs, around 13-17pts. I say that with last year's game in mind, mind you. And last year NIU playing too close to some of the MAC's non-finest -- so the ball's in their court at this point, IMO, to justify having a 20+ point spread to a rebuilding fellow mid-major.

I don't know why the MAC's premiere team has to justify anything. Isn't there another "elite" team in the MAC that is still looking for their first championship since Reagan was in office?

Quote:Tell that to EMU.

UNLV is no EMU.

Quote:

Quote:so the ball's in their court at this point, IMO, to justify having a 20+ point spread to a rebuilding fellow mid-major.

I don't know why the MAC's premiere team has to justify anything.

Having to struggle to beat said UNLV team (and EMU team) last year. Although it will NOT be "shocking" or anything if NIU wins by 24 points, it Also won't be shocking if they win by 10 and UNLV ends up an improved 4-8 team (which would be a glory year for EMU but not them with a new coach).

Personally, I wouldn't actually bet on anything on the game. Could be an NIU stomp, could be an NIU comfortable win, could be an NIU win that was too-close. Personally, I'd put the betting marker of +/- on a comfortable win by NIU -- winning by 2TD+.

Was that 19 a guess or someone is seeing an ultra early line? That seems too high, 12-15 seems more reasonable.

http://www.5dimes.eu/livelines/livelines.aspx

Geez it's not like it's -42. NIU has lost 1 game in Dekalb in what .... 5-6 years.

UNLV is bad and has been bad with a brand new coach now. NIU will blow the doors off this team at home.

Wtf

I'll take niu -19.5, WMU +24, Texas +13.5 (at Notre Dame) & Washington +12 (at Boise) please...