Im guessing it will open up somewhere around WMU -5.
EDIT: Never mind, I did not realize lines were released this early, it is already out with NIU 5.5 underdogs. What do you guys think of this, fair, unfair?
Before I clicked on the topic I was thinking about WMU -5...so yeah seems fair.
I would've thought 2-4 to be honest with you. OK, so this line is a field goal less than Minnesota. In theory, that means Minnesota is the better team and I agree with that. Who knows though? When we look back on the season, WMU will have the better record, but Minnesota will be the better team. At any rate, we need to win this game!
It just so happens that I got to see an early scouting report (too much for my tastes) on WMU when they faced Nebraska this weekend. I made some observations myself and asked some of my friends that actually like the Huskers, so I'll be comparing NIU to Nebraska in order to get insight into NIU's chances next week.
Offense: (NIU puts 27 points on MN)(Nebraska puts 47 on WMU)
Harnish is very similar to NU QB Joey Ganz in that he is a good passer with descent mobility (not quite Vince Young, but enough to get out of trouble). Now, Nebraska has a much better offensive line than NIU does and a moderately better supporting cast. I say that it's only moderately better because NIU's running backs and wide outs are on par, if not better, than Nebraska's in my opinion.
Defense: (NIU gives up 31 to MN)(Nebraska gives up 24 to WMU)
This is where I'm very concerned with NIU. Nebraska has a very good defense and WMU managed to put up a respectable amount of points on them. I'm sure you're asking "but most of those points came against scrubs, right?" I too thought that and asked an avid Nebraska fan and he said that WMU split their points between the 1st team and the scrubs. NIU's defense had its problems against MN, so I think it will come down to which defense can hold the opposing offense.
The line is right where it belongs. It will be a close game no matter who wins, but NIU's defensive issues make WMU a touchdown favorite in my mind.
Only getting 5 points to a team that is projected to be the most talented in the MAC is phenomenal. This game is huge for our quest to win the MAC West.
Seems low. The defense needs some work.
This game will come down to the WMU offense versus the NIU defense. A 5 point spread in favor of WMU sounds reasonable.
niubrad00 Wrote:I would've thought 2-4 to be honest with you. OK, so this line is a field goal less than Minnesota. In theory, that means Minnesota is the better team and I agree with that. Who knows though? When we look back on the season, WMU will have the better record, but Minnesota will be the better team. At any rate, we need to win this game!
I disagree, I think NIU is playing a more difficult team this week.
MaddDawgz02 Wrote:niubrad00 Wrote:I would've thought 2-4 to be honest with you. OK, so this line is a field goal less than Minnesota. In theory, that means Minnesota is the better team and I agree with that. Who knows though? When we look back on the season, WMU will have the better record, but Minnesota will be the better team. At any rate, we need to win this game!
I disagree, I think NIU is playing a more difficult team this week.
I agree with that. Minnesota is a stunningly bad football team. That's not meant to take anything away from NIU's performance at the Metrodome.
Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:MaddDawgz02 Wrote:niubrad00 Wrote:I would've thought 2-4 to be honest with you. OK, so this line is a field goal less than Minnesota. In theory, that means Minnesota is the better team and I agree with that. Who knows though? When we look back on the season, WMU will have the better record, but Minnesota will be the better team. At any rate, we need to win this game!
I disagree, I think NIU is playing a more difficult team this week.
I agree with that. Minnesota is a stunningly bad football team. That's not meant to take anything away from NIU's performance at the Metrodome.
I would not go that far either, I think Minnesota could even finish in the middle of the Big 10 this year, but WMU is a step up in class. Showdown Saturday this weekend, biggest game for NIU in a long time.
No chance. Minnesota is a lock to be one of the worst, and probably the worst, team in the Big 10. Indiana and Northwestern are distinctly better football teams than Minnesota right now.
Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:No chance. Minnesota is a lock to be one of the worst, and probably the worst, team in the Big 10. Indiana and Northwestern are distinctly better football teams than Minnesota right now.
Ill take Minnesota over Northwestern, Northwestern is a horrible football team and did not look that good against an abyssmal Syracuse team.
MaddDawgz02 Wrote:niubrad00 Wrote:I would've thought 2-4 to be honest with you. OK, so this line is a field goal less than Minnesota. In theory, that means Minnesota is the better team and I agree with that. Who knows though? When we look back on the season, WMU will have the better record, but Minnesota will be the better team. At any rate, we need to win this game!
I disagree, I think NIU is playing a more difficult team this week.
Well, the rest of the country disagrees with you. The line is set by the bettors. We got 8 against Minnesota and 5 against WMU.
niubrad00 Wrote:MaddDawgz02 Wrote:niubrad00 Wrote:I would've thought 2-4 to be honest with you. OK, so this line is a field goal less than Minnesota. In theory, that means Minnesota is the better team and I agree with that. Who knows though? When we look back on the season, WMU will have the better record, but Minnesota will be the better team. At any rate, we need to win this game!
I disagree, I think NIU is playing a more difficult team this week.
Well, the rest of the country disagrees with you. The line is set by the bettors. We got 8 against Minnesota and 5 against WMU.
That was before the country saw what NIU did against Minnesota. After seeing last week, if the NIU/Minnesota game was this week, it would be a pick em', and if the game was at NIU, NIU would be favored.
I still maintain NIU is in line for a 5 win season in 2008. But the future of NIU football is in good hands with Jerry Kill. He simply needs time to recruit his breed of football player and to upgrade the talent level. Hopefully Chandler Harnish can develop into a strong multi-year option at QB.
I was thinking Broncos as 3-5 point favorites, so the line seems about right. But it's been a crap shoot with this team for over a year now (i.e. lay an egg at EMU, then spank Iowa). So I won't particularly be surprised with whatever the outcome is.
rabidawg900 Wrote:Only getting 5 points to a team that is projected to be the most talented in the MAC is phenomenal. This game is huge for our quest to win the MAC West.
True that this has huge implications for both teams, and (unfortunately) almost knocks someone out in just Week #2 in the running.
I do question the part about us "projected to be the most talented in the MAC." We're not predicted by any pre-season magazine or media poll to win the West, much less the whole conference.
Motown Bronco Wrote:I was thinking Broncos as 3-5 point favorites, so the line seems about right. But it's been a crap shoot with this team for over a year now (i.e. lay an egg at EMU, then spank Iowa). So I won't particularly be surprised with whatever the outcome is.
rabidawg900 Wrote:Only getting 5 points to a team that is projected to be the most talented in the MAC is phenomenal. This game is huge for our quest to win the MAC West.
True that this has huge implications for both teams, and (unfortunately) almost knocks someone out in just Week #2 in the running.
I do question the part about us "projected to be the most talented in the MAC." We're not predicted by any pre-season magazine or media poll to win the West, much less the whole conference.
What I meant by that comment was that you not only have one of the top offenses in the MAC, but the top defense as well. The big reason you're not projected to win the MAC West is because you have to play both Ball St and CMU on the road. Those road games are really tough to win.
Phil Steele elaborates about it in his pre-season magazine.
Central Michigan looks to me to be the team to beat in the MAC West.
Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:Central Michigan looks to me to be the team to beat in the MAC West.
I just dont think CMU can win in Dekalb. The results from this Saturday will go a long way in determining the MAC West champion.
Once again I suggest UM is not the same team this year as last and will likely win three or four more games and finish ranked in the low to mid eighties.