Every year I think it is safe to say that us Dog Pound followers are typically more optimistic on NIU football going into a season than the rest of the world. We are the core fans and this is to be expected.

That said, I cannot remember a year where the gap & disparity of Dog Pound vs others has been this big. We see offensive weapons all over the field, better athletes, etc…. But man, the pundits and oddsmakers just do not see this at all & are predicting a last place finish for our Huskies. The optimism for Huskie football this year begins and stops on this board.

I personally am so stoked for this season. We are going to surprise allot of people. Maybe I just want success so badly I am blinded, but I see the beginning of some fun years ahead.

Keep the faith Huskie Nation, no one ever gives us the benefit of the doubt on anything. Stay strong as a group and let’s give them hell this year.

Go Huskies!

(08-21-2021 09:32 AM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  Every year I think it is safe to say that us Dog Pound followers are typically more optimistic on NIU football going into a season than the rest of the world. We are the core fans and this is to be expected.

That said, I cannot remember a year where the gap & disparity of Dog Pound vs others has been this big. We see offensive weapons all over the field, better athletes, etc…. But man, the pundits and oddsmakers just do not see this at all & are predicting a last place finish for our Huskies. The optimism for Huskie football this year begins and stops on this board.

I personally am so stoked for this season. We are going to surprise allot of people. Maybe I just want success so badly I am blinded, but I see the beginning of some fun years ahead.

Keep the faith Huskie Nation, no one ever gives us the benefit of the doubt on anything. Stay strong as a group and let’s give them hell this year.

Go Huskies!

This offense should be able to score- lots. The defense is what the fear is for those of us who follow the team.

For those that don’t follow the team they see an 0-6 squad who picked up an inaccurate passer from MSU. And that’s not a good way to evaluate. This team will surprise.

I think we are at the beginning of great years to come, the question mark is how hot will we start. If the O can put points on the board like are hunches project, I see 7-8 wins. If we struggle on O while our D is still finding their way, hope for 6 wins. Happy we are to this point honestly, building from the floor up takes a while and now we’re ready to see some results. 0 wins does not bother me, smart for coach to play almost everyone, last years results mean zero to me. It feels like we’ll be pleasantly surprised. From the videos I’ve see love how this team is coming together. We should be in full ass kicking mode next year. I think 8 wins this year, and for hell’s sake, beat WY!
Go Huskies!

(08-21-2021 09:32 AM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  That said, I cannot remember a year where the gap & disparity of Dog Pound vs others has been this big. We see offensive weapons all over the field, better athletes, etc…. But man, the pundits and oddsmakers just do not see this at all & are predicting a last place finish for our Huskies. The optimism for Huskie football this year begins and stops on this board.

Pretty sure ChicagoHuskie and many others on here can recall having the faith and intuition that coach Novak was making positive steps and that better times were ahead. But the pundits and oddsmakers had to be convinced then too. I want to believe that history will now repeat itself, so I'm not surprised the pundits and oddsmakers have to be convinced again.

Go Huskies!

Outsiders just don’t have enough info to evaluate the team. They aren’t looking at the team in its “progression” state. They’re looking at last years results and returning starters. There are players with potential to be stars that were just getting their feet wet last year. Rudolph, Waylee, Collins, Ratkovitch, Mccray - any of these guys might go off this season.

I will say it’s fair to predict failure because of two things: new qb. Horrible defense in 2020. The easiest prediction is to say they suck until they prove otherwise.

As Huskie fans we know there is enough talent to be really good. But if we are honest we still aren’t sure the staff will get the most out of it this year.

(08-21-2021 10:36 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Outsiders just don’t have enough info to evaluate the team. They aren’t looking at the team in its “progression” state. They’re looking at last years results and returning starters. There are players with potential to be stars that were just getting their feet wet last year. Rudolph, Waylee, Collins, Ratkovitch, Mccray - any of these guys might go off this season.

I will say it’s fair to predict failure because of two things: new qb. Horrible defense in 2020. The easiest prediction is to say they suck until they prove otherwise.

As Huskie fans we know there is enough talent to be really good. But if we are honest we still aren’t sure the staff will get the most out of it this year.

Don't forget Joiner. He might be first team all MAC. He fits this offense and QB so well.

The defense is the concern, but it's hard for me to say I really don't like the way any position is shaping up. So much depth on the D-Line, The outside linebackers have a ton of depth, and the corners are young but I feel like we are going to see one of them step up. I didn't have a much an issue with the Safeties as others on this board - I like Lafayette and Hansen. I like Earl. Dillion Thomas is a safety so that move is great.

The only depth concern I have is in the middle. Rattin...and who? Could alway run a 4/2/5, with the 5th DB being some sort of rush hybrid if Rattin goes down.

There are pieces on the defense, I'm just not sure that they all fit together yet. This year I think they will improve each game. The GT running back is an insane test for game 1.

GT can run. Not sure if they can pass, but they can run. Will be a great test for these kids to see if they practiced tackling.

If you’re out of state and like to bet from time to time….

Huskies over 4 Wins looks like easy money to me.

(08-21-2021 12:46 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  If you’re out of state and like to bet from time to time….

Huskies over 4 Wins looks like easy money to me.

Where do you see five wins coming from? Maine and Bowling Green seem like the only certainties right now. Hammock is 4 - 10 against MAC teams. It has been 23 years since NIU has had a two year stretch like that.

(08-21-2021 02:09 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  

(08-21-2021 12:46 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  If you’re out of state and like to bet from time to time….

Huskies over 4 Wins looks like easy money to me.

Where do you see five wins coming from? Maine and Bowling Green seem like the only certainties right now. Hammock is 4 - 10 against MAC teams. It has been 23 years since NIU has had a two year stretch like that.

Oh a coach rebuilding a team did bad his first 2 seasons? Might as well assume that continues.

So you are locked in at 2 wins?

Vegas always knows

(08-21-2021 03:17 PM)huskies77 Wrote:  Vegas always knows

It is not just Vegas. It is the thousands of betters that move the line. The line has stayed at four for a long time. That just means half the people are on one side and the other half of the betters are on the other side of four. If the Dog Pound folks start betting big, we could move the line to 4 1/2 wins or even 5.

(08-21-2021 04:24 PM)NIU75 Wrote:  

(08-21-2021 03:17 PM)huskies77 Wrote:  Vegas always knows

It is not just Vegas. It is the thousands of betters that move the line. The line has stayed at four for a long time. That just means half the people are on one side and the other half of the betters are on the other side of four. If the Dog Pound folks start betting big, we could move the line to 4 1/2 wins or even 5.

Consider this: the people who follow NIU the closest live in Illinois, unable to live any line via an online Sportsbook.

Always worth considering the local know, so the lines should be different.

My heart says 7 wins, but my mind says 4 - 5 wins due to the ever-present injury bug. Happens every year. Also, I have little faith in the coaches, particularly on the defensive side. Just hoping for the best and that we’ll all be surprised.

GT could be a tricky test. They’re also in year 3 of a rebuild but are further along than us. Both teams should be much better than people are expecting. The RB and legs of the QB are scary good. The QB was a true freshman last year with no coaching who’s going to take a huge step forward this year, much like half our team.

If we are competitive vs GT I’ll feel great about our chances of beating Wyoming and going to a bowl. I feel like we’re going to be ready vs Wyoming forcing them to play an early game and hopefully a fired up crowd.

I have high expectations because the process looks sound in developing this team and year 3 of the rebuild is where we should start seeing results. Resilience, playmakers and luck in tight games and we should have a fun season. Bring the energy!

(08-22-2021 06:03 PM)Big Redd Wrote:  GT could be a tricky test. They’re also in year 3 of a rebuild but are further along than us. Both teams should be much better than people are expecting. The RB and legs of the QB are scary good. The QB was a true freshman last year with no coaching who’s going to take a huge step forward this year, much like half our team.

If we are competitive vs GT I’ll feel great about our chances of beating Wyoming and going to a bowl. I feel like we’re going to be ready vs Wyoming forcing them to play an early game and hopefully a fired up crowd.

Big Redd, my favorite BB poster. Please don't take any offense as I also saw this on the GT board and I believe you just copied it here. My reply is directed at the implied improvement an un-coached QB will be making.

I read this on the GT board and really can't believe it or understand what it means. I'm calling full BS.

Do you mean to tell me he was a walk on that joined the team on the Friday before the first game? And, with no coaching or practice he then jumped in front of all the other QBs on the roster? Did he miss all the practices due to COVID-19 or something else?

This statement therefore implies that during the entire year the QB was never coached.

Do we have players on our team (or any real college football team) that experienced no coaching? Don't our 3rd, 4th . . . 7th and beyond string players receive and benefit from coaching? Scout teams get coaching.

This is either not true or the GT program has very serious concerns that should be fully exploited. Who else on their team had no coaching so we can take advantage? If their players are not receiving coaching, how did the coaches not get fired? How did the coaches know this player was any good without coaching or evaluating him? Did they see him playing on the dorm team and say wow, this guy is better than every QB on the team, how would you like to be the starting QB?

So, the conclusion is since he was not coached since he arrived at the program and is now receiving coaching beginning this year, he will definitely be so much better???

(08-23-2021 12:37 PM)HUSKIEFOOTBALLFAN Wrote:  

(08-22-2021 06:03 PM)Big Redd Wrote:  GT could be a tricky test. They’re also in year 3 of a rebuild but are further along than us. Both teams should be much better than people are expecting. The RB and legs of the QB are scary good. The QB was a true freshman last year with no coaching who’s going to take a huge step forward this year, much like half our team.

If we are competitive vs GT I’ll feel great about our chances of beating Wyoming and going to a bowl. I feel like we’re going to be ready vs Wyoming forcing them to play an early game and hopefully a fired up crowd.

I read this on the GT board and really can't believe it or understand what it means. I'm calling full BS.

Do you mean to tell me he was a walk on that joined the team on the Friday before the first game? And, with no coaching or practice he then jumped in front of all the other QBs on the roster? Did he miss all the practices due to COVID-19 or something else?

Do we have players on our team (or any real college football team) that experienced no coaching? Don't our 3rd, 4th . . . 7th and beyond string players receive and benefit from coaching? Scout teams get coaching.

This is either not true or the GT program has very serious concerns that should be fully exploited. Who else on their team had no coaching so we can take advantage? If their players are not receiving coaching, how did the coaches not get fired? How did the coaches know this player was any good without coaching or evaluating him? Did they see him playing on the dorm team and say wow, this guy is better than every QB on the team, how would you like to be the starting QB?

No they are just crying about the covid era practice and workout schedule. We had a million true freshman in the lineup last year...I guess we can say they all started with no coaching too.

The truth is their QB is inaccurate. He can run. He cannot pass. Their running back is very good.

That's it. They want to run a spread and pass the ball around a bit, they can't. They are going to be a spread run team.

I would imagine a real off-season will help their young QB just as it’s going to help NIU’s young players lol

(08-23-2021 01:32 PM)7 Wrote:  I would imagine a real off-season will help their young QB just as it’s going to help NIU’s young players lol

Exactly the point - but that point works for every player out there.

It shouldn't be used an excuse, it just was what it was. You would like to see guys improve as that season went on...Jeff Sims did not.

The truth is I think he is what he is. He can run but he's super inaccurate. I expect GT to run the ball a ton this season.

Never say never..... Kind a funny article....

How Leicester City's 5,000-1 odds compare to other long shots.

May 2, 2016
Paul Carr

Prior to the season, Leicester City was a 5,000-to-1 longshot to win the Premier League, according to English bookmaker William Hill.

To put that in perspective, the longest preseason odds for any team to win the 2016 World Series were 500-to-1 for the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves (according to the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook). And the longest shot to win next year's Super Bowl is the Cleveland Browns at a mere 200-to-1.

Looking at past unlikely winners, the 1999 St. Louis Rams and 1991 Minnesota Twins were two of the most surprising champions in recent memory, as both finished last in their divisions the previous years. But they were both only 300-to-1 before the season.

EDITOR'S PICKS

Those who bet -- or didn't and wish they had -- on Leicester City
5yDarren Rovell
To find similarly long odds in sports, you have to resort to similarly obscure teams and names.

As a 15-seed, Cal State Bakersfield was a 5,000-to-1 longshot to win the 2016 NCAA tournament (the Roadrunners lost to Oklahoma in the first round).

At the 2016 Masters, 16-year-old Paul Chaplet was 5,000-to-1 to win the tournament. He shot 21 over par in two rounds and finished last.

In the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves were 5,000-to-1 to win the NBA title at end of January, when they had a 14-35 record. They missed the playoffs by 14 games.

A William Hill spokesman recently said Leicester City's title will cost the bookmaker nearly $3 million, and it may cost bookmakers nearly $15 million across the United Kingdom. He also mentioned that in the future William Hill will no longer offer title odds higher than 1,000-1.

Beyond sports, William Hill had several seemingly ridiculous bets available at 5,000-to-1, including Elvis Presley being found alive and Barack Obama playing cricket for England.



As a side note, I believe Loyola was 75 or 100-1 to reach final four in 2018.

150-1 to win west with only 6 teams, no matter who it is, is ridiculous.

NIU isn't Vandy in the SEC.