(11-18-2021 09:01 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
After watching the MAC games this week, how did we lose to Ball State, and maybe Northern Illinois?
They tackle terribly, their running games aren't that much better than Eastern's, and their quarterback play isn't that good. Northern does have a good back in Mr. Steele, and he reminds me of our Evans.
Now, I will be the first to say that you need some breaks to win championships, but Northern has gotten so many breaks this season, I think they win the prize for the most of any team in the MAC.

Are you repeating the ole line, "I'd rather be lucky than good?"

Winning games sometimes is a crap shoot. Just ask Matthew Sexton. Just the way coach drew it up. "If the player blocking the punt hits it at the correct angle (talk to an engineer for detailed instructions) the FOOTBALL will bounce up as it was a BASKETBALL. Then head to the correct spot at an appropriate speed so that you can catch the ball but the other team can't catch you. Run like your pants are on fire and the game too..." Sounds about right to me...

(11-18-2021 10:44 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(11-18-2021 09:01 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
After watching the MAC games this week, how did we lose to Ball State, and maybe Northern Illinois?
They tackle terribly, their running games aren't that much better than Eastern's, and their quarterback play isn't that good. Northern does have a good back in Mr. Steele, and he reminds me of our Evans.
Now, I will be the first to say that you need some breaks to win championships, but Northern has gotten so many breaks this season, I think they win the prize for the most of any team in the MAC.

Are you repeating the ole line, "I'd rather be lucky than good?"

Winning games sometimes is a crap shoot. Just ask Matthew Sexton. Just the way coach drew it up. "If the player blocking the ball hits it at the correct angle (talk to an engineer for detailed instructions) the FOOTBALL will bounce up as it was a BASEKETBALL. Then head to the correct spot at an appropriate speed so that you can catch the ball but the other team can't catch you. Run like your pants are on fire and the game too..." Sounds about right to me...

LOL!

(11-18-2021 09:01 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
After watching the MAC games this week, how did we lose to Ball State, and maybe Northern Illinois?
They tackle terribly, their running games aren't that much better than Eastern's, and their quarterback play isn't that good. Northern does have a good back in Mr. Steele, and he reminds me of our Evans.
Now, I will be the first to say that you need some breaks to win championships, but Northern has gotten so many breaks this season, I think they win the prize for the most of any team in the MAC.

Along these lines, I was thinking about this today; we could still finish with the same overall record as NIU, but even if that happens it hard to make the case we are better than them. They beat Georgia Tech (not that they are that good this year), won the MAC-west (and will be favored to win the MAC), and beat us straight up.

CMU really seems to be rolling the second half of the season, and next Friday's game is going to be one of the toughest of the season I think. If we can win that game I think we could make a strong case that we are the second best team in the MAC this year. We'd be 8-4, 5-3 in the MAC, with wins over Toledo, WMU, CMU (in this scenario), Miami-OH (who might win the MAC-east), and our three MAC losses would have all been by one possession.

I know that doesn't really mean much, but would be a step in the right direction for the program. I don't know if we could make a case with any of Creighton's other teams...maybe 2018.

Sorry if the Post game press conference was already shared but you’ve got to love the way Coach Creighton presents himself:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MTCFpgRwjX4

(11-18-2021 04:39 PM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(11-18-2021 09:01 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
After watching the MAC games this week, how did we lose to Ball State, and maybe Northern Illinois?
They tackle terribly, their running games aren't that much better than Eastern's, and their quarterback play isn't that good. Northern does have a good back in Mr. Steele, and he reminds me of our Evans.
Now, I will be the first to say that you need some breaks to win championships, but Northern has gotten so many breaks this season, I think they win the prize for the most of any team in the MAC.

Along these lines, I was thinking about this today; we could still finish with the same overall record as NIU, but even if that happens it hard to make the case we are better than them. They beat Georgia Tech (not that they are that good this year), won the MAC-west (and will be favored to win the MAC), and beat us straight up.

CMU really seems to be rolling the second half of the season, and next Friday's game is going to be one of the toughest of the season I think. If we can win that game I think we could make a strong case that we are the second best team in the MAC this year. We'd be 8-4, 5-3 in the MAC, with wins over Toledo, WMU, CMU (in this scenario), Miami-OH (who might win the MAC-east), and our three MAC losses would have all been by one possession.

I know that doesn't really mean much, but would be a step in the right direction for the program. I don't know if we could make a case with any of Creighton's other teams...maybe 2018.

I’m ecstatic that we won but even more happy that we were able to out rush WMU. The reality is we easily could have lost against WMU and might have done so if they hadn’t turned the ball over. We also only beat Miami by one point. Toledo also could have gone to their way but we had that game in hand late in the second half. NIU and Ohio took it to us and I felt that although it was a one score game, it felt like more…..

Go Eagles!

(11-18-2021 04:39 PM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(11-18-2021 09:01 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
After watching the MAC games this week, how did we lose to Ball State, and maybe Northern Illinois?
They tackle terribly, their running games aren't that much better than Eastern's, and their quarterback play isn't that good. Northern does have a good back in Mr. Steele, and he reminds me of our Evans.
Now, I will be the first to say that you need some breaks to win championships, but Northern has gotten so many breaks this season, I think they win the prize for the most of any team in the MAC.

Along these lines, I was thinking about this today; we could still finish with the same overall record as NIU, but even if that happens it hard to make the case we are better than them. They beat Georgia Tech (not that they are that good this year), won the MAC-west (and will be favored to win the MAC), and beat us straight up.

CMU really seems to be rolling the second half of the season, and next Friday's game is going to be one of the toughest of the season I think. If we can win that game I think we could make a strong case that we are the second best team in the MAC this year. We'd be 8-4, 5-3 in the MAC, with wins over Toledo, WMU, CMU (in this scenario), Miami-OH (who might win the MAC-east), and our three MAC losses would have all been by one possession.

I know that doesn't really mean much, but would be a step in the right direction for the program. I don't know if we could make a case with any of Creighton's other teams...maybe 2018.

CMU is pretty much doing what they want to right now. I watched their games and they pretty much spanked WMU, Kent and Ball State in the past three weeks, those guys are not BG or Akron and the games were not close. Coach has additional time to repair and I would not fault him if he tried a a dramatically different strategy. Otherwise I see little chance in Mt Pleasant.

The 2018 team was far superior defensively to our current edition. Calhoun, Rachwal, Hoying, Harris, McGill and Crosby were members of that unit, little more needs to be said.

Then again, this year's team is better offensively. Mike Glass was great, but sometimes your best ability is availability and Mike was fragile. Yep I'm the one who criticized Bryant for sliding so easily and could certainly be totally wrong. As much as I liked Shaq, Turner and Erickson, Hamilton, Evans and Boone are better. As far as receivers, Banham, Jackson, Sexton and frosh Drummond were good but I think the corps we have today are not only better but deeper as well. Personally I think the greatest disparity is the offensive line. In 2018 we had problems protecting the QB, Wiegers threw well but never had the time that Bryant has today.

Dear Sellers dweller,
I don't know about Northern Illinois beating us straight up. Remember they got that deflected pass and returned it for a touchdown. That put them 17-0 at that point in the game. That is one of those lucky breaks that can change a game, just like the deflected pass that Eastern intercepted that allowed us to beat Western.

(11-18-2021 08:58 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Sellers dweller,
I don't know about Northern Illinois beating us straight up. Remember they got that deflected pass and returned it for a touchdown. That put them 17-0 at that point in the game. That is one of those lucky breaks that can change a game, just like the deflected pass that Eastern intercepted that allowed us to beat Western.

I understand what you're saying, I just think you'd have a hard time making the argument we are better than NIU this year (thus also claiming we are the best team in the MAC assuming they win the conference).

If we played them 10 times it probably be 5-5 or 6-4. If you were going to make a checklist comparing two teams, almost every check is on their side.

I just think if we beat CMU you could make a strong, logical argument that EMU was the second best team in the MAC this season. To say we were the best team would make you look like a big-time homer.

(11-19-2021 07:24 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(11-18-2021 08:58 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Sellers dweller,
I don't know about Northern Illinois beating us straight up. Remember they got that deflected pass and returned it for a touchdown. That put them 17-0 at that point in the game. That is one of those lucky breaks that can change a game, just like the deflected pass that Eastern intercepted that allowed us to beat Western.

I understand what you're saying, I just think you'd have a hard time making the argument we are better than NIU this year (thus also claiming we are the best team in the MAC assuming they win the conference).

If we played them 10 times it probably be 5-5 or 6-4. If you were going to make a checklist comparing two teams, almost every check is on their side.

I just think if we beat CMU you could make a strong, logical argument that EMU was the second best team in the MAC this season. To say we were the best team would make you look like a big-time homer.

There isnt a dominant team in the MAC this year. Im happy enough with the results on the field this year - even if we lose to central this year is a success.

Dear Sellers dweller,
I am not saying Eastern is the best team in the MAC. You're putting words out there that I never said.
All I am saying is that Northern Illinois was very lucky, especially in key games, to come away with a victory.
More so than teams would normally get in a season.

(11-19-2021 08:34 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Sellers dweller,
I am not saying Eastern is the best team in the MAC. You're putting words out there that I never said.
All I am saying is that Northern Illinois was very lucky, especially in key games, to come away with a victory.
More so than teams would normally get in a season.

I never said you claimed Eastern was the best team in the MAC.

My overall point was that, to anyone outside looking at it, NIU is the best team in the MAC this year. Given their record, the wins they have, and especially if they end up winning the MAC title game. So to someone who doesn't follow MAC football, like we all do, they will look at the records, look at who won the conference and say "Oh of course NIU was the best team in the MAC this year" and it'd be hard to argue. With a win over CMU though, I think there is a strong argument to be made that EMU is the second best team in the MAC, which is huge to keep improving the perception of the program.

Yes, they have been lucky this season, but most teams in the MAC have been lucky and their records could easily be flipped. Heck, as luckeyone pointed out in this thread, we could very easily be 4-7 instead of 7-4. I do agree with you though, watching the MAC and EMU as much as we do, I think we all know EMU is VERY comparable with NIU.

(11-19-2021 02:06 PM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 08:34 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Sellers dweller,
I am not saying Eastern is the best team in the MAC. You're putting words out there that I never said.
All I am saying is that Northern Illinois was very lucky, especially in key games, to come away with a victory.
More so than teams would normally get in a season.

I never said you claimed Eastern was the best team in the MAC.

My overall point was that, to anyone outside looking at it, NIU is the best team in the MAC this year. Given their record, the wins they have, and especially if they end up winning the MAC title game. So to someone who doesn't follow MAC football, like we all do, they will look at the records, look at who won the conference and say "Oh of course NIU was the best team in the MAC this year" and it'd be hard to argue. With a win over CMU though, I think there is a strong argument to be made that EMU is the second best team in the MAC, which is huge to keep improving the perception of the program.

Yes, they have been lucky this season, but most teams in the MAC have been lucky and their records could easily be flipped. Heck, as luckeyone pointed out in this thread, we could very easily be 4-7 instead of 7-4. I do agree with you though, watching the MAC and EMU as much as we do, I think we all know EMU is VERY comparable with NIU.

We've been here before, that is what I love about our conference. We don't have an Oklahoma, Alabama or Ohio State that perennially dominates. Seldom does the best team win the championship, quite frankly. Right now CMU is playing at a level far beyond the rest of the league, they were one bad snap from winning the MAC West. They will, however, watch the MACC game on television.

The last time that the clearly BEST team in the MAC won the championship was PJ Fleck's WMU team, they were clearly superior to the rest of the conference. After that the MAC has produced a conference champion that wins a preponderance of their one possession games, the league is that competitive. That also may explain Frank Solich's successful bowl record when compared to the rest of the MAC. NIU is not superlative but will be matched against the best bowl opponent the MAC faces and likely will lose. Frank never won the MACC, however, he always had a good team, thus he got a reasonable bowl matchup and often succeeded.

(11-19-2021 07:55 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 02:06 PM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 08:34 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Sellers dweller,
I am not saying Eastern is the best team in the MAC. You're putting words out there that I never said.
All I am saying is that Northern Illinois was very lucky, especially in key games, to come away with a victory.
More so than teams would normally get in a season.

I never said you claimed Eastern was the best team in the MAC.

My overall point was that, to anyone outside looking at it, NIU is the best team in the MAC this year. Given their record, the wins they have, and especially if they end up winning the MAC title game. So to someone who doesn't follow MAC football, like we all do, they will look at the records, look at who won the conference and say "Oh of course NIU was the best team in the MAC this year" and it'd be hard to argue. With a win over CMU though, I think there is a strong argument to be made that EMU is the second best team in the MAC, which is huge to keep improving the perception of the program.

Yes, they have been lucky this season, but most teams in the MAC have been lucky and their records could easily be flipped. Heck, as luckeyone pointed out in this thread, we could very easily be 4-7 instead of 7-4. I do agree with you though, watching the MAC and EMU as much as we do, I think we all know EMU is VERY comparable with NIU.

We've been here before, that is what I love about our conference. We don't have an Oklahoma, Alabama or Ohio State that perennially dominates. Seldom does the best team win the championship, quite frankly. Right now CMU is playing at a level far beyond the rest of the league, they were one bad snap from winning the MAC West. They will, however, watch the MACC game on television.

The last time that the clearly BEST team in the MAC won the championship was PJ Fleck's WMU team, they were clearly superior to the rest of the conference. After that the MAC has produced a conference champion that wins a preponderance of their one possession games, the league is that competitive. That also may explain Frank Solich's successful bowl record when compared to the rest of the MAC. NIU is not superlative but will be matched against the best bowl opponent the MAC faces and likely will lose. Frank never won the MACC, however, he always had a good team, thus he got a reasonable bowl matchup and often succeeded.

Interesting point on Solich teams.