Northern Illinois vs. Boston College Prediction & Preview
Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 26
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Network: ESPN3

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Why You Need To Care

It’s the Moral Victory Bowl as Boston College and Northern Illinois meet a week after both nearly authored epic upsets. Where will each team’s head be following emotionally draining defeats? The Eagles battled hard against Florida State, yielding just one first-quarter offensive touchdown in a 14-0 loss. The Huskies were even more impressive, coming within a touchdown of a historic upset of top-ranked Ohio State in Columbus. The combatants are similar in their styles, hard-working, blue-collar and well coached.

Why Northern Illinois Will Win

The Huskies are a rugged defensive team that just held the mighty Buckeyes to one offensive touchdown and 2-of-13 on third downs. LB Boomer Mays and DE Perez Ford anchor the front seven, stuffing the run and pressuring the pocket, respectively. And unlike BC, which lost starting QB Darius Wade to an ankle injury, Northern Illinois will have its steady veteran, Drew Hare, taking snaps.

Why Boston College Will Win

The defense continues to play as well as anyone in the country. The Eagles lead the FBS in total defense and yards per play—by more than a yard. Holding the Seminoles to 217 yards served proof that BC is not the product of its early-season competition. Northern Illinois couldn’t move the ball on Ohio State, and also won’t against an Eagle D getting stellar play from LB Steven Daniels and DE Harold Landry.

Player Who Matters

BC head coach Steve Addazio is deciding whether to tab redshirt freshman Troy Flutie, Doug’s nephew, or true freshman Jeff Smith as Wade’s successor. Naturally, Flutie is a year ahead with the playbook and personnel. Smith is a read-option playmaker who’s already rushed for 97 yards and three scores. Either way, expect to see a heavy dose of the backs, Jon Hilliman, Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse.

What’s Going To Happen?

Two very similar teams will arrive on the Heights with two very similar blueprints for success. And their scores will be similar, too. BC and Northern Illinois will tussle like a couple of prize fighters, neither having much success on offense. The Eagles’ backfield trio will outplay Huskie RB Joel Bouagnon to squeak out a win in another low-scoring alley fight.

Northern Illinois vs. Boston College Prediction

Prediction: Boston College 20, Northern Illinois 17, Line: Boston College -4, o/u: 47
Must See Rating: 5: 99 Homes – 1: The Intern … 3.5

A "rugged defensive" team lol

Quote:The Huskies are a rugged defensive team

Uhhhh, I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. It wasn't until the OSU game that anyone would consider them a "rugged defensive team". If they can keep that superhero costume on for D -- they'll win. As I also disagree with the review on it's motif as it sees NIU's O. NIU's O can be stopped, yes. But it has a good amount of potential energy. I see their O producing better than they did vs OSU. Not insanely better or anything, but more on-point, getting more yards & first downs, etc. With BC's lack of O, this helps field position as well, too.

IMO, it call comes down to which NIU D will show up. The one vs UNLV or one roughly as good as the one vs OSU? IMO, that'll be the difference between winning & losing, as I think NIU's offense won't be completely shut out or anything.

He didn't mention anything about our WRs.

(09-24-2015 12:52 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:The Huskies are a rugged defensive team

Uhhhh, I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. It wasn't until the OSU game that anyone would consider them a "rugged defensive team". If they can keep that superhero costume on for D -- they'll win. As I also disagree with the review on it's motif as it sees NIU's O. NIU's O can be stopped, yes. But it has a good amount of potential energy. I see their O producing better than they did vs OSU. Not insanely better or anything, but more on-point, getting more yards & first downs, etc. With BC's lack of O, this helps field position as well, too.

IMO, it call comes down to which NIU D will show up. The one vs UNLV or one roughly as good as the one vs OSU? IMO, that'll be the difference between winning & losing, as I think NIU's offense won't be completely shut out or anything.

I definitely don't know what to expect and I can't really say what this year's NIU team "is" yet...is it a defensive specialty team that just eeks by? an offensive powerhouse that will win in shootouts? or a really strong team that is just fine tuning some of the pieces? or a good/mediocre team that played lucky and out of their minds at OSU? We don't know the identity yet, but Saturday will go a long ways towards figuring it out. This is a good test and barometer.

If this game is close and after all the discussion this past week - if there is a 4th & 1 from mid field - will Carey go for it this week?

(09-24-2015 12:51 PM)7 Wrote:  A "rugged defensive" team lol

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

We have a new level of expectations at NIU. Losing this game would be very disappointing.

(09-24-2015 03:54 PM)NIUHuskie Wrote:  We have a new level of expectations at NIU. Losing this game would be very disappointing.

I will be so disappointed if we lose. I don't even want to think about it!

Quote:If this game is close and after all the discussion this past week - if there is a 4th & 1 from mid field - will Carey go for it this week?

Yes. It's not "The" Ohio State, #1 in the country.... combine that with playing Captain Hindsight, he would want to have gone for at least one of those -- so yes. I stake my innocence on that. You will not see him punting at or just past the 50 yard line in a slow-moving offensive game on 4th and 1.

Our defense played well against FSU and Ohio State. Our offense failed us in both games. Of course our defense failed us against BG and Marshall. We seem to struggle against spread passing teams and play well against pro set teams. Of course we got run over last year.

Our defense played nowhere near as well against FSU as it did Ohio State. Not remotely comparable.

(09-24-2015 05:00 PM)7 Wrote:  Our defense played nowhere near as well against FSU as it did Ohio State. Not remotely comparable.

Eh, I think they are a little comparable. The games felt similar to me.

(09-24-2015 05:22 PM)niuguy Wrote:  

(09-24-2015 05:00 PM)7 Wrote:  Our defense played nowhere near as well against FSU as it did Ohio State. Not remotely comparable.

Eh, I think they are a little comparable. The games felt similar to me.

Huskie D was respectable vs FSU, but dominant vs OSU.

I see the BC spread keeps inching up, ouch

(09-24-2015 05:27 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-24-2015 05:22 PM)niuguy Wrote:  

(09-24-2015 05:00 PM)7 Wrote:  Our defense played nowhere near as well against FSU as it did Ohio State. Not remotely comparable.

Eh, I think they are a little comparable. The games felt similar to me.

Huskie D was respectable vs FSU, but dominant vs OSU.

I see the BC spread keeps inching up, ouch

Because that 34.5 last week really mattered lol

(09-24-2015 04:46 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  Our defense played well against FSU and Ohio State. Our offense failed us in both games. Of course our defense failed us against BG and Marshall. We seem to struggle against spread passing teams and play well against pro set teams. Of course we got run over last year.

NO comparison between the performance of our Defense in the o$u game and the Orange Bowl. None. Against o$u, the Defense gave up 298 yds of Total Offense, an average of 4.5 yds per play. Just a phenomenal performance.

In the Orange Bowl, the Defense gave up 534 yds of Total Offense, an average of 7.1 yds per play.

(09-24-2015 05:41 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(09-24-2015 04:46 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  Our defense played well against FSU and Ohio State. Our offense failed us in both games. Of course our defense failed us against BG and Marshall. We seem to struggle against spread passing teams and play well against pro set teams. Of course we got run over last year.

NO comparison between the performance of our Defense in the o$u game and the Orange Bowl. None. Against o$u, the Defense gave up 298 yds of Total Offense, an average of 4.5 yds per play. Just a phenomenal performance.

In the Orange Bowl, the Defense gave up 534 yds of Total Offense, an average of 7.1 yds per play.

The defense played well against a great FSU team; they played lights out against a great tOSU team. The outcomes were different, but I can see how people get the similar feelings.

Can BC really stuff the passing game?
NIU has the QB and the receivers.

Similar teams?? Where does the writer get that from.