Stewart Mandel's mailbag:
Boise State is clearly the leading candidate. The Broncos will start their campaign solidly in the Top 25, so even a season-opening loss at Washington wouldn't necessarily prevent them from eventually climbing back up into the top 12. Quarterback Joe Southwick (66.8 completion percentage last season, 19 touchdowns, seven interceptions) is poised for a nice senior season, and the Broncos should field another fine defense. But they aren't without questions. Neither is Northern Illinois, last year's BCS buster, but the Huskies do return star quarterback Jordan Lynch and a whole bunch of skill players on offense. Coach Rod Carey's team should be the overwhelming favorite to emerge again from the MAC.
Read More:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college...z2Yh6elNr1
The accolades are nice for NIU and the MAC but I hope our guys don't start believing their press clippings. This is a what have you done for me lately business and last year is over. We'll see if this year's group has the fortitude and leadership to do what needs doing in order to sustain the success.
(07-10-2013 10:27 PM)NIU1981 Wrote: [ -> ]The accolades are nice for NIU and the MAC but I hope our guys don't start believing their press clippings. This is a what have you done for me lately business and last year is over. We'll see if this year's group has the fortitude and leadership to do what needs doing in order to sustain the success.
Biggest game of the season is Iowa. Lose that game, NIU will never be rank in the top 50 for the year. Run the table and let the voters/computer sort it out
(07-10-2013 10:27 PM)NIU1981 Wrote: [ -> ]The accolades are nice for NIU and the MAC but I hope our guys don't start believing their press clippings. This is a what have you done for me lately business and last year is over. We'll see if this year's group has the fortitude and leadership to do what needs doing in order to sustain the success.
Obviously a loss eliminates NIU, but a loss should also eliminate Boise St with their schedule. I cannot get over the excessive desire to prop up Boise by the media and coaches.
(07-10-2013 11:49 PM)NIU75 Wrote: [ -> ] (07-10-2013 10:27 PM)NIU1981 Wrote: [ -> ]The accolades are nice for NIU and the MAC but I hope our guys don't start believing their press clippings. This is a what have you done for me lately business and last year is over. We'll see if this year's group has the fortitude and leadership to do what needs doing in order to sustain the success.
Biggest game of the season is Iowa. Lose that game, NIU will never be rank in the top 50 for the year. Run the table and let the voters/computer sort it out
NIU lost to Iowa last year and went to the Orange Bowl and ended the season top 25. It would definitely be a let down, but it won't ruin the season.
(07-11-2013 12:02 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: [ -> ] (07-10-2013 10:27 PM)NIU1981 Wrote: [ -> ]The accolades are nice for NIU and the MAC but I hope our guys don't start believing their press clippings. This is a what have you done for me lately business and last year is over. We'll see if this year's group has the fortitude and leadership to do what needs doing in order to sustain the success.
Obviously a loss eliminates NIU, but a loss should also eliminate Boise St with their schedule. I cannot get over the excessive desire to prop up Boise by the media and coaches.
Washington is like the Iowa of the Pac-12. They are an average team that sometimes slips into a non-BCS bowl game (like the Las Vegas Bowl last year). They have not had a truly great season since 2000.
Losing to Washington would be like losing to Iowa.
Boise has a difficult schedule this year. @Washington, @Fresno, @San Diego St, @BYU are all tough, and if they make the MWC title game they'll probably play a fringe top-25 Fresno again.
Gotta love the postive press from credible, national writers like SI's Mandel and USA Today's Myerberg.