http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/sports....html?_r=0

NIU just may belong with the best. Lynch is a great example. But Toledo may also belong with the best, Flu is a great example.

This team endured a lot of adversity, when you start with two losses, no matter who they are to, it plays on a teams mind.

Loosing Flu and having 2 or 3 backs step up is mind boggling.

Leading the nation in sacks allowed, including against 2 SEC teams is unbelievable.

I'm sorry, I know my post are very pro team and coaches. But many posters forget the team across the line of scrimmage practices and works hard too.

Let's appreciate what this team does even in criticizing them.

Oh darn, there goes my soapbox.

(11-15-2013 05:31 PM)walrus74 Wrote:  NIU just may belong with the best. Lynch is a great example. But Toledo may also belong with the best, Flu is a great example.

This team endured a lot of adversity, when you start with two losses, no matter who they are to, it plays on a teams mind.

Loosing Flu and having 2 or 3 backs step up is mind boggling.

Leading the nation in sacks allowed, including against 2 SEC teams is unbelievable.

I'm sorry, I know my post are very pro team and coaches. But many posters forget the team across the line of scrimmage practices and works hard too.

Let's appreciate what this team does even in criticizing them.

Oh darn, there goes my soapbox.

I think your post is spot on. We have great coaches and players. Go Rockets! !!

(11-15-2013 05:51 PM)rockytop Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 05:31 PM)walrus74 Wrote:  NIU just may belong with the best. Lynch is a great example. But Toledo may also belong with the best, Flu is a great example.

This team endured a lot of adversity, when you start with two losses, no matter who they are to, it plays on a teams mind.

Loosing Flu and having 2 or 3 backs step up is mind boggling.

Leading the nation in sacks allowed, including against 2 SEC teams is unbelievable.

I'm sorry, I know my post are very pro team and coaches. But many posters forget the team across the line of scrimmage practices and works hard too.

Let's appreciate what this team does even in criticizing them.

Oh darn, there goes my soapbox.

I think your post is spot on. We have great coaches and players. Go Rockets! !!

Got a good feeling about this game!!!

(11-15-2013 05:52 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 05:51 PM)rockytop Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 05:31 PM)walrus74 Wrote:  NIU just may belong with the best. Lynch is a great example. But Toledo may also belong with the best, Flu is a great example.

This team endured a lot of adversity, when you start with two losses, no matter who they are to, it plays on a teams mind.

Loosing Flu and having 2 or 3 backs step up is mind boggling.

Leading the nation in sacks allowed, including against 2 SEC teams is unbelievable.

I'm sorry, I know my post are very pro team and coaches. But many posters forget the team across the line of scrimmage practices and works hard too.

Let's appreciate what this team does even in criticizing them.

Oh darn, there goes my soapbox.

I think your post is spot on. We have great coaches and players. Go Rockets! !!

Got a good feeling about this game!!!

This game does have a Rocket W written all over it. Toledo is playing its best football of the year and NIU is coming off an emotional game which usually is not good news for the following week.

^^^^

See, it's talk like that which is exactly why we can't be a rivalry.

(11-15-2013 06:14 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  ^^^^

See, it's talk like that which is exactly why we can't be a rivalry.

NIU has dominated Toledo the past several years, I would think that would be enough reason for a rivalry.

(11-15-2013 05:31 PM)walrus74 Wrote:  NIU just may belong with the best. Lynch is a great example. But Toledo may also belong with the best, Flu is a great example.

This team endured a lot of adversity, when you start with two losses, no matter who they are to, it plays on a teams mind.

Loosing Flu and having 2 or 3 backs step up is mind boggling.

Leading the nation in sacks allowed, including against 2 SEC teams is unbelievable.

I'm sorry, I know my post are very pro team and coaches. But many posters forget the team across the line of scrimmage practices and works hard too.

Let's appreciate what this team does even in criticizing them.

Oh darn, there goes my soapbox.

You point out some very impressive Rocket accomplishments; however, I think you missed the implication of the NIU article which prompted your post. I am fairly confident that the "NIU Just May Belong With the Best" refers to the fact that NIU believes they deserve another shot at a BCS Bowl which is where the very best teams in college football end their seasons.

UT certainly has the talent and ability to prove them wrong; however, if UT does defeat NIU and send them packing from the BCS conversation as well as a Ford Field appearance, I am sure you are aware that it will not garner UT a BCS bowl bid which is what "Best" referred to in this article. Not even teams with names like Alabama or tOSU or Seminoles would likely make the BCS Bowl scene with 3 losses.

It would, however, end NIU's reign as "top dog (pun intended) in the MAC" and at least for one year re-establish the Rockets to their rightful position as top of the MAC in football.

EDIT: Upon reflection, my comment sounds more critical than I intended. The only thing I would have suggested wording a bit differently is some of the first line as shown below which in no way lessens the accomplishments that you list:

"NIU just may belong with the best. Lynch is a great example. While Toledo may not be in the current BCS conversation, they also have a number of remarkable accomplishments this year of which they can be justifiably proud, Flu is a great example.....

(11-15-2013 06:48 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 06:14 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  ^^^^

See, it's talk like that which is exactly why we can't be a rivalry.

NIU has dominated Toledo the past several years, I would think that would be enough reason for a rivalry.

Are you talking about the 10 points that have separated the two teams the past 2 seasons- that dominance? Yes, the Huskies have won 3 in a row(2 in DeKalb and 1 in the Glass Bowl). In the history of the series, the Huskies have won 3 times in 20 trips to the Glass Bowl-15% winning%.
Huskie wins at the GB 1972, 2005, 2011. Overall the series is something 11 wins out of 39 tries-28.2%.

(11-15-2013 06:48 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 06:14 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  ^^^^

See, it's talk like that which is exactly why we can't be a rivalry.

NIU has dominated Toledo the past several years, I would think that would be enough reason for a rivalry.

Not even close- you've won in football lately, volleyball, maybe a couple other sports. No one comes over talking about those sports or basketball, track etc where we win regularly. There is back and forth with BG fans on ALL those sports. That's what a rival is.

(11-15-2013 07:50 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 06:48 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 06:14 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  ^^^^

See, it's talk like that which is exactly why we can't be a rivalry.

NIU has dominated Toledo the past several years, I would think that would be enough reason for a rivalry.

Not even close- you've won in football lately, volleyball, maybe a couple other sports. No one comes over talking about those sports or basketball, track etc where we win regularly. There is back and forth with BG fans on ALL those sports. That's what a rival is.

haha you know its bad when you have to dig as deep as track to explain a rivalry. Have fun being the champs of the world in the 200 meter dash, Ill take an Orange Bowl appearance over that.

(11-15-2013 07:54 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:50 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 06:48 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 06:14 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  ^^^^

See, it's talk like that which is exactly why we can't be a rivalry.

NIU has dominated Toledo the past several years, I would think that would be enough reason for a rivalry.

Not even close- you've won in football lately, volleyball, maybe a couple other sports. No one comes over talking about those sports or basketball, track etc where we win regularly. There is back and forth with BG fans on ALL those sports. That's what a rival is.

haha you know its bad when you have to dig as deep as track to explain a rivalry. Have fun being the champs of the world in the 200 meter dash, Ill take an Orange Bowl appearance over that.

Disagree, I think H2O explained it pretty well - all sports including mens and womens basketball that, believe it or not, rival football in intensity between UT and BG.

(11-15-2013 07:57 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:54 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:50 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 06:48 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 06:14 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  ^^^^

See, it's talk like that which is exactly why we can't be a rivalry.

NIU has dominated Toledo the past several years, I would think that would be enough reason for a rivalry.

Not even close- you've won in football lately, volleyball, maybe a couple other sports. No one comes over talking about those sports or basketball, track etc where we win regularly. There is back and forth with BG fans on ALL those sports. That's what a rival is.

haha you know its bad when you have to dig as deep as track to explain a rivalry. Have fun being the champs of the world in the 200 meter dash, Ill take an Orange Bowl appearance over that.

Disagree, I think H2O explained it pretty well - all sports including mens and womens basketball that, believe it or not, rival football in intensity between UT and BG.

Well the Huskies will beat your a** in men's and women's hoops this year. You can't hold our jock straps or bra straps. Oh yeah, and Lynch would beat you throwing left handed and running backwards. Go HUSKIES!

(11-15-2013 08:13 PM)NIU17 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:57 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:54 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:50 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 06:48 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  NIU has dominated Toledo the past several years, I would think that would be enough reason for a rivalry.

Not even close- you've won in football lately, volleyball, maybe a couple other sports. No one comes over talking about those sports or basketball, track etc where we win regularly. There is back and forth with BG fans on ALL those sports. That's what a rival is.

haha you know its bad when you have to dig as deep as track to explain a rivalry. Have fun being the champs of the world in the 200 meter dash, Ill take an Orange Bowl appearance over that.

Disagree, I think H2O explained it pretty well - all sports including mens and womens basketball that, believe it or not, rival football in intensity between UT and BG.

Well the Huskies will beat your a** in men's and women's hoops this year. You can't hold our jock straps or bra straps. Oh yeah, and Lynch would beat you throwing left handed and running backwards. Go HUSKIES!

I guess we'll all know by about 12:30 AM (EST) on Thursday, 11/21. GO ROCKETS!!!

(11-15-2013 08:15 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 08:13 PM)NIU17 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:57 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:54 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:50 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  Not even close- you've won in football lately, volleyball, maybe a couple other sports. No one comes over talking about those sports or basketball, track etc where we win regularly. There is back and forth with BG fans on ALL those sports. That's what a rival is.

haha you know its bad when you have to dig as deep as track to explain a rivalry. Have fun being the champs of the world in the 200 meter dash, Ill take an Orange Bowl appearance over that.

Disagree, I think H2O explained it pretty well - all sports including mens and womens basketball that, believe it or not, rival football in intensity between UT and BG.

Well the Huskies will beat your a** in men's and women's hoops this year. You can't hold our jock straps or bra straps. Oh yeah, and Lynch would beat you throwing left handed and running backwards. Go HUSKIES!

I guess we'll all know by about 12:30 AM (EST) on Thursday, 11/21. GO ROCKETS!!!

Can we call it a rivalry then?

(11-15-2013 08:17 PM)NIU17 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 08:15 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 08:13 PM)NIU17 Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:57 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  

(11-15-2013 07:54 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  haha you know its bad when you have to dig as deep as track to explain a rivalry. Have fun being the champs of the world in the 200 meter dash, Ill take an Orange Bowl appearance over that.

Disagree, I think H2O explained it pretty well - all sports including mens and womens basketball that, believe it or not, rival football in intensity between UT and BG.

Well the Huskies will beat your a** in men's and women's hoops this year. You can't hold our jock straps or bra straps. Oh yeah, and Lynch would beat you throwing left handed and running backwards. Go HUSKIES!

I guess we'll all know by about 12:30 AM (EST) on Thursday, 11/21. GO ROCKETS!!!

Can we call it a rivalry then?

No, sorry...

Let's see where NIU is when Lynch is gone. Best is defined with longevity. They have a nice run going. CMU did with Lefleur. But the best is rooted in having the next man step up. Toledo is still waiting to replace Gradkowski to get back to that level


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(11-15-2013 09:57 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  Let's see where NIU is when Lynch is gone. Best is defined with longevity. They have a nice run going. CMU did with Lefleur. But the best is rooted in having the next man step up. Toledo is still waiting to replace Gradkowski to get back to that level


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11 years with the best record in the MAC Id have to say is longevity.

(11-15-2013 09:57 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  Let's see where NIU is when Lynch is gone. Best is defined with longevity. They have a nice run going. CMU did with Lefleur. But the best is rooted in having the next man step up. Toledo is still waiting to replace Gradkowski to get back to that level


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Is 24 straight MAC wins long enough? Guy Lefleur?

(11-15-2013 09:57 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  Let's see where NIU is when Lynch is gone. Best is defined with longevity. They have a nice run going. CMU did with Lefleur. But the best is rooted in having the next man step up. Toledo is still waiting to replace Gradkowski to get back to that level


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We were trying to replace Harnish for a long time too.