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WMU at Northern Illinois
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ejd_5277 Offline
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Post: #221
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-18-2025 10:56 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  At the risk of sounding like a downer... I'm glad we are winning, but this football is hard to watch. We had 59 carries and 5 completions, 1 of which was really a jet sweep. It is mind boggling how we can win games like that. Everyone knows we are going to run. 1st and 10? Run. 3rd and 7? Run. 3 and 10? Maybe a 4 yard pass. Or a Run. It's just hard to watch. It's like watch army or navy play when you know there is just never going to be any downfield plays. It's like rugby or something.

We better hope we win the MAC this year because we.might have to play lineman at WR next year. I can't see a single WRs or TEs staying here and definitely can't see any WRs or TEs coming here through the portal next year.

This is our shot, hope we make the best of it!

To each their own of course but I could not disagree with this more. In fact, in some ways I’m enjoying this season more than 2016.

If you had said “boring,” I would give you that. I get it… “chicks dig the long ball.” Downfield passing attacks and explosive plays are certainly fun to watch…. Call me old school, but for me personally it’s more fun to watch a team come together and gel over the course of a season like ours has.

That 2016 team had a bunch of DUDES. Blue chip talent outside and on the OL, and one of the highest IQ quarterbacks to ever play in the MAC, who also had an above-average arm.

This team has none of that, but what it has are a bunch of guys who know *exactly* what they can do and what they can’t do, and that’s what they do. No one out there is trying to be someone they’re not. Broc Lowry is easily the highest-IQ, most self-aware quarterback we’ve had since Zach Terrell. Sure, there’s an occasional misread on the RPO but that happens to Lamar Jackson once in awhile too. How often has he forced a pass downfield into double coverage or something that he shouldn’t have thrown? Once? All year?

Also, Buckley is finally healthy and that’s helped *immensely.*

The defense is a bit soft in the middle, but again, this coaching staff and these players know that so they run schemes specifically to shore that up. For what our interior linebackers/DL lack in physicality they make up for with great gap integrity and eye discipline.

I distinctly remember two hallmarks of Tim Lester defenses:

A.) poor fundamental tackling skills, and
B.) DB’s hanging with receivers, but then failing to get their heads around to look for the football, many times drawing a flag for interference.

Both those problems look like ancient history now. We tackle REALLY well, we are one of the least-penalized teams in the country, we win the turnover battle, and we play to our strengths and mitigate weaknesses through different schemes.

You’re confusing solid, fundamental football with “watchability,” but I’ll take this over being on the wrong side of the 42-35 shootouts of yesteryear any day of the week.
(This post was last modified: 11-19-2025 12:28 AM by ejd_5277.)
11-19-2025 12:16 AM
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schwebbs84 Offline
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Post: #222
WMU at Northern Illinois
Glad to have had the team come out with the win, of course, and happy again to have been completely wrong. Does it make me look like a complete idiot? Sure it does, and I can live with that.

The truth is that I have some things happening at home and it’s been hard to view things rationally as of late. That said, we’ve been conditioned by years of repeated blunders under the leadership of Bill Cubit and Tim Lester.

I’ve seen it all: looking like we didn’t get off the bus, spotting the other team a two-score lead, losing winnable games, generally appearing unprepared, being easily outsmarted by opponents, and, at times, putting forth an embarrassing product. Cubit was 3-5 vs. Central and Smilin’ Tim was 2-4 vs. Eastern. Both of those scenarios are completely unacceptable.

There’s obviously room for improvement with my behavior. I recognize that. But as someone who grew up around a winning high school football program, I don’t think that starting our games on time and not looking like complete bozos are too much to ask for.


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11-19-2025 05:43 AM
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Ubish Offline
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Post: #223
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
I didn't see the game, how did the mountains look on TV?
11-19-2025 06:45 AM
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Cocksman Offline
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Post: #224
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-19-2025 06:45 AM)Ubish Wrote:  I didn't see the game, how did the mountains look on TV?

Those watching in Vegas were hoping to see the Chicago skyline on tv. They were duped
11-19-2025 06:56 AM
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Wheres_Waldo? Offline
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Post: #225
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
Good win. I have to admit, when they went down by 13, I had that feeling of "here we go again". Not the SOB
11-19-2025 07:08 AM
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GRBRONCO Offline
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Post: #226
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-19-2025 06:45 AM)Ubish Wrote:  I didn't see the game, how did the mountains look on TV?

I was thinking the same thing, that John Denver was full of $hit.
11-19-2025 07:36 AM
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MajorHoople Offline
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Post: #227
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-18-2025 10:56 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  At the risk of sounding like a downer... I'm glad we are winning, but this football is hard to watch. We had 59 carries and 5 completions, 1 of which was really a jet sweep. It is mind boggling how we can win games like that. Everyone knows we are going to run. 1st and 10? Run. 3rd and 7? Run. 3 and 10? Maybe a 4 yard pass. Or a Run. It's just hard to watch. It's like watch army or navy play when you know there is just never going to be any downfield plays. It's like rugby or something.

We better hope we win the MAC this year because we.might have to play lineman at WR next year. I can't see a single WRs or TEs staying here and definitely can't see any WRs or TEs coming here through the portal next year.

This is our shot, hope we make the best of it!

Are you more interested in being entertained, or winning?
11-19-2025 08:11 AM
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Dirty Ernie Offline
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Post: #228
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-19-2025 08:11 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  
(11-18-2025 10:56 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  At the risk of sounding like a downer... I'm glad we are winning, but this football is hard to watch. We had 59 carries and 5 completions, 1 of which was really a jet sweep. It is mind boggling how we can win games like that. Everyone knows we are going to run. 1st and 10? Run. 3rd and 7? Run. 3 and 10? Maybe a 4 yard pass. Or a Run. It's just hard to watch. It's like watch army or navy play when you know there is just never going to be any downfield plays. It's like rugby or something.

We better hope we win the MAC this year because we.might have to play lineman at WR next year. I can't see a single WRs or TEs staying here and definitely can't see any WRs or TEs coming here through the portal next year.

This is our shot, hope we make the best of it!


Are you more interested in being entertained, or winning?

Personally, watching them bust out 8,9,10 yards per pop is totally entertaining! Old school ha ha. Field position, rest the D, punt into what my dad called the “coffin corner”.
11-19-2025 09:44 AM
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Ubish Offline
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Post: #229
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
I personally don't care how they play as long as they win, however I don't see this strategy working against the bigger schools as well as having a good balanced attack would. We're not running it down the throat of a Big 10 team, as our game against lowly Michigan State proved this season.

That said, with the current landscape I think the days of us competing nationally are over. I'd be very happy with a MAC championship and this team is on track to at least play for one. Something that hasn't happened since 2016, and before that the 99 and 00 seasons.
(This post was last modified: 11-19-2025 10:09 AM by Ubish.)
11-19-2025 10:08 AM
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flushtheherd Offline
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Post: #230
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
For my own sanity I had to step away from this board last night... I think with this team you really have to look at the game as a whole... not as "oh this is going bad..." because they never seem to be out of it...

I do agree it would be nice to find some semblance of a passing game, if only to hold onto the ability to maintain our good WR's and bring more in... I think if we keep running this offense they way we did last night it WILL open up some passing opportunity.

The way this team came alive after going down 13-0 early... thats a testament to a coaching staff who has their players bought in... Being able to run almost at will in the second half and churning clock... that kind of offensive game management will crush most defenses.

(Still not a fan of Walt Bell).
11-19-2025 10:24 AM
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ColinApocalypse Offline
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Post: #231
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-18-2025 07:51 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  Hopefully this is just another slow start like we saw against Toledo, CMU, Ohio, UMass, and to an extent Ball State.....

Turned out to be just another slow start. It's weird that this team starts so slow, looks downright bad to start. Defense gives up a big play early and then adjusts and locks things down. Offense takes a few series at least to get going.

But the score at the end is all that matters. Excellent game last night.
11-19-2025 11:10 AM
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ColinApocalypse Offline
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Post: #232
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
This defense is unbelievable. Can't look up all the stats right now, but we're holding MAC foes under 20 PPG and total yardage isn't bad either.

And this is Chris O'Leary's FIRST YEAR HERE. He's doing this with mostly guys he didn't recruit. I so hope we can hold on to him for at least another year or two, but that's probably not realistic.

This defense is better than that 2016 team that had future NFLers all over the field. Outside of Tucker and maybe Hallock and Camden, I can't think of any superstars on the current defense. Certainly not the same caliber as some of this guys in 2016. But they're playing so well as a UNIT. Just swarming, stifling, aggressive, disciplined football. It's amazing.
(This post was last modified: 11-19-2025 11:15 AM by ColinApocalypse.)
11-19-2025 11:15 AM
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Motown Bronco Offline
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Post: #233
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-19-2025 11:15 AM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  This defense is unbelievable. Can't look up all the stats right now, but we're holding MAC foes under 20 PPG and total yardage isn't bad either.

And this is Chris O'Leary's FIRST YEAR HERE. He's doing this with mostly guys he didn't recruit. I so hope we can hold on to him for at least another year or two, but that's probably not realistic.

This defense is better than that 2016 team that had future NFLers all over the field. Outside of Tucker and maybe Hallock and Camden, I can't think of any superstars on the current defense. Certainly not the same caliber as some of this guys in 2016. But they're playing so well as a UNIT. Just swarming, stifling, aggressive, disciplined football. It's amazing.

We held #22 North Texas to the lowest regulation point total (27) in their 10 games.
11-19-2025 11:22 AM
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CockyBronc3 Offline
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Post: #234
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-19-2025 12:16 AM)ejd_5277 Wrote:  
(11-18-2025 10:56 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  At the risk of sounding like a downer... I'm glad we are winning, but this football is hard to watch. We had 59 carries and 5 completions, 1 of which was really a jet sweep. It is mind boggling how we can win games like that. Everyone knows we are going to run. 1st and 10? Run. 3rd and 7? Run. 3 and 10? Maybe a 4 yard pass. Or a Run. It's just hard to watch. It's like watch army or navy play when you know there is just never going to be any downfield plays. It's like rugby or something.

We better hope we win the MAC this year because we.might have to play lineman at WR next year. I can't see a single WRs or TEs staying here and definitely can't see any WRs or TEs coming here through the portal next year.

This is our shot, hope we make the best of it!

To each their own of course but I could not disagree with this more. In fact, in some ways I’m enjoying this season more than 2016.

If you had said “boring,” I would give you that. I get it… “chicks dig the long ball.” Downfield passing attacks and explosive plays are certainly fun to watch…. Call me old school, but for me personally it’s more fun to watch a team come together and gel over the course of a season like ours has.

That 2016 team had a bunch of DUDES. Blue chip talent outside and on the OL, and one of the highest IQ quarterbacks to ever play in the MAC, who also had an above-average arm.

This team has none of that, but what it has are a bunch of guys who know *exactly* what they can do and what they can’t do, and that’s what they do. No one out there is trying to be someone they’re not. Broc Lowry is easily the highest-IQ, most self-aware quarterback we’ve had since Zach Terrell. Sure, there’s an occasional misread on the RPO but that happens to Lamar Jackson once in awhile too. How often has he forced a pass downfield into double coverage or something that he shouldn’t have thrown? Once? All year?

Also, Buckley is finally healthy and that’s helped *immensely.*

The defense is a bit soft in the middle, but again, this coaching staff and these players know that so they run schemes specifically to shore that up. For what our interior linebackers/DL lack in physicality they make up for with great gap integrity and eye discipline.

I distinctly remember two hallmarks of Tim Lester defenses:

A.) poor fundamental tackling skills, and
B.) DB’s hanging with receivers, but then failing to get their heads around to look for the football, many times drawing a flag for interference.

Both those problems look like ancient history now. We tackle REALLY well, we are one of the least-penalized teams in the country, we win the turnover battle, and we play to our strengths and mitigate weaknesses through different schemes.

You’re confusing solid, fundamental football with “watchability,” but I’ll take this over being on the wrong side of the 42-35 shootouts of yesteryear any day of the week.

Yeah, I mean I guess it just depends on what you want. We can be competitive in the MAC for another year or 2 while Lowry is here with this totally 1 dimensional offense possibly, and just continue to get crushed by non-MAC teams. And I guess if thats where we are then we just have to be ok winning really boring football games, as long as our defense can keep playing like they have been.

But also, what happens if Lowry gets hurt, which is more and more likely as he contimues to carry the ball a TON. Or what happens if he thinks he killed it this year and decides to hit the portal? Or what happens when our defense loses guys to the portal or graduation and isn't as dominant as they are. Make no mistake we have been winning games because of our defense, in spite of our offense. So, it's cool now, because everything has fallen into place perfectly, But it's not sustainable. Like I said, you aren't going to get any WRs or TEs to stay and you definitely aren't going to get any to come over in the portal. So, what happens when there is no more Lowry in a year or 2 and whoever takes his spot isn't the runner Lowry is? Who is he going to throw to and how are we going to win games without the running attack we have now, and without developing or bring in any skill position talent?
11-19-2025 11:11 PM
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Motown Bronco Offline
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Post: #235
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-19-2025 11:11 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  Yeah, I mean I guess it just depends on what you want. We can be competitive in the MAC for another year or 2 while Lowry is here with this totally 1 dimensional offense possibly, and just continue to get crushed by non-MAC teams. And I guess if thats where we are then we just have to be ok winning really boring football games, as long as our defense can keep playing like they have been.

Illinois was bad in that second half, but MSU and North Texas weren't ugly by any means.

(11-19-2025 11:11 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  But also, what happens if Lowry gets hurt, which is more and more likely as he contimues to carry the ball a TON. Or what happens if he thinks he killed it this year and decides to hit the portal? Or what happens when our defense loses guys to the portal or graduation and isn't as dominant as they are. Make no mistake we have been winning games because of our defense, in spite of our offense. So, it's cool now, because everything has fallen into place perfectly, But it's not sustainable. Like I said, you aren't going to get any WRs or TEs to stay and you definitely aren't going to get any to come over in the portal. So, what happens when there is no more Lowry in a year or 2 and whoever takes his spot isn't the runner Lowry is? Who is he going to throw to and how are we going to win games without the running attack we have now, and without developing or bring in any skill position talent?

Valid questions, but really every team in the country can be asking these sorts of questions of their roster, considering NIL and the transfer portal these days.
11-20-2025 09:11 AM
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Dirty Ernie Offline
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Post: #236
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
It’s hard for fans, we want to think about stuff, our upcoming schedule, our roster, spring ball, etc.

But in the current environment it is really pointless. Maybe start up speculation July 2026 or so, when things start to shake out. Ha ha
11-20-2025 09:44 AM
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sdsly Online
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Post: #237
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-19-2025 11:11 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  
(11-19-2025 12:16 AM)ejd_5277 Wrote:  
(11-18-2025 10:56 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  At the risk of sounding like a downer... I'm glad we are winning, but this football is hard to watch. We had 59 carries and 5 completions, 1 of which was really a jet sweep. It is mind boggling how we can win games like that. Everyone knows we are going to run. 1st and 10? Run. 3rd and 7? Run. 3 and 10? Maybe a 4 yard pass. Or a Run. It's just hard to watch. It's like watch army or navy play when you know there is just never going to be any downfield plays. It's like rugby or something.

We better hope we win the MAC this year because we.might have to play lineman at WR next year. I can't see a single WRs or TEs staying here and definitely can't see any WRs or TEs coming here through the portal next year.

This is our shot, hope we make the best of it!

To each their own of course but I could not disagree with this more. In fact, in some ways I’m enjoying this season more than 2016.

If you had said “boring,” I would give you that. I get it… “chicks dig the long ball.” Downfield passing attacks and explosive plays are certainly fun to watch…. Call me old school, but for me personally it’s more fun to watch a team come together and gel over the course of a season like ours has.

That 2016 team had a bunch of DUDES. Blue chip talent outside and on the OL, and one of the highest IQ quarterbacks to ever play in the MAC, who also had an above-average arm.

This team has none of that, but what it has are a bunch of guys who know *exactly* what they can do and what they can’t do, and that’s what they do. No one out there is trying to be someone they’re not. Broc Lowry is easily the highest-IQ, most self-aware quarterback we’ve had since Zach Terrell. Sure, there’s an occasional misread on the RPO but that happens to Lamar Jackson once in awhile too. How often has he forced a pass downfield into double coverage or something that he shouldn’t have thrown? Once? All year?

Also, Buckley is finally healthy and that’s helped *immensely.*

The defense is a bit soft in the middle, but again, this coaching staff and these players know that so they run schemes specifically to shore that up. For what our interior linebackers/DL lack in physicality they make up for with great gap integrity and eye discipline.

I distinctly remember two hallmarks of Tim Lester defenses:

A.) poor fundamental tackling skills, and
B.) DB’s hanging with receivers, but then failing to get their heads around to look for the football, many times drawing a flag for interference.

Both those problems look like ancient history now. We tackle REALLY well, we are one of the least-penalized teams in the country, we win the turnover battle, and we play to our strengths and mitigate weaknesses through different schemes.

You’re confusing solid, fundamental football with “watchability,” but I’ll take this over being on the wrong side of the 42-35 shootouts of yesteryear any day of the week.

Yeah, I mean I guess it just depends on what you want. We can be competitive in the MAC for another year or 2 while Lowry is here with this totally 1 dimensional offense possibly, and just continue to get crushed by non-MAC teams. And I guess if thats where we are then we just have to be ok winning really boring football games, as long as our defense can keep playing like they have been.

But also, what happens if Lowry gets hurt, which is more and more likely as he contimues to carry the ball a TON. Or what happens if he thinks he killed it this year and decides to hit the portal? Or what happens when our defense loses guys to the portal or graduation and isn't as dominant as they are. Make no mistake we have been winning games because of our defense, in spite of our offense. So, it's cool now, because everything has fallen into place perfectly, But it's not sustainable. Like I said, you aren't going to get any WRs or TEs to stay and you definitely aren't going to get any to come over in the portal. So, what happens when there is no more Lowry in a year or 2 and whoever takes his spot isn't the runner Lowry is? Who is he going to throw to and how are we going to win games without the running attack we have now, and without developing or bring in any skill position talent?

If Lance Taylor wins the MAC this year does he become a hot property to move on to somewhere else? Given his past movements and his young age, I would think he would be looking to move up to a higher level. I would think that if he can pull off a championship in year 3 it would get him on the radar of Power 4 teams.
11-20-2025 10:25 AM
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CockyBronc3 Offline
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Post: #238
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-20-2025 10:25 AM)sdsly Wrote:  
(11-19-2025 11:11 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  
(11-19-2025 12:16 AM)ejd_5277 Wrote:  
(11-18-2025 10:56 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  At the risk of sounding like a downer... I'm glad we are winning, but this football is hard to watch. We had 59 carries and 5 completions, 1 of which was really a jet sweep. It is mind boggling how we can win games like that. Everyone knows we are going to run. 1st and 10? Run. 3rd and 7? Run. 3 and 10? Maybe a 4 yard pass. Or a Run. It's just hard to watch. It's like watch army or navy play when you know there is just never going to be any downfield plays. It's like rugby or something.

We better hope we win the MAC this year because we.might have to play lineman at WR next year. I can't see a single WRs or TEs staying here and definitely can't see any WRs or TEs coming here through the portal next year.

This is our shot, hope we make the best of it!

To each their own of course but I could not disagree with this more. In fact, in some ways I’m enjoying this season more than 2016.

If you had said “boring,” I would give you that. I get it… “chicks dig the long ball.” Downfield passing attacks and explosive plays are certainly fun to watch…. Call me old school, but for me personally it’s more fun to watch a team come together and gel over the course of a season like ours has.

That 2016 team had a bunch of DUDES. Blue chip talent outside and on the OL, and one of the highest IQ quarterbacks to ever play in the MAC, who also had an above-average arm.

This team has none of that, but what it has are a bunch of guys who know *exactly* what they can do and what they can’t do, and that’s what they do. No one out there is trying to be someone they’re not. Broc Lowry is easily the highest-IQ, most self-aware quarterback we’ve had since Zach Terrell. Sure, there’s an occasional misread on the RPO but that happens to Lamar Jackson once in awhile too. How often has he forced a pass downfield into double coverage or something that he shouldn’t have thrown? Once? All year?

Also, Buckley is finally healthy and that’s helped *immensely.*

The defense is a bit soft in the middle, but again, this coaching staff and these players know that so they run schemes specifically to shore that up. For what our interior linebackers/DL lack in physicality they make up for with great gap integrity and eye discipline.

I distinctly remember two hallmarks of Tim Lester defenses:

A.) poor fundamental tackling skills, and
B.) DB’s hanging with receivers, but then failing to get their heads around to look for the football, many times drawing a flag for interference.

Both those problems look like ancient history now. We tackle REALLY well, we are one of the least-penalized teams in the country, we win the turnover battle, and we play to our strengths and mitigate weaknesses through different schemes.

You’re confusing solid, fundamental football with “watchability,” but I’ll take this over being on the wrong side of the 42-35 shootouts of yesteryear any day of the week.

Yeah, I mean I guess it just depends on what you want. We can be competitive in the MAC for another year or 2 while Lowry is here with this totally 1 dimensional offense possibly, and just continue to get crushed by non-MAC teams. And I guess if thats where we are then we just have to be ok winning really boring football games, as long as our defense can keep playing like they have been.

But also, what happens if Lowry gets hurt, which is more and more likely as he contimues to carry the ball a TON. Or what happens if he thinks he killed it this year and decides to hit the portal? Or what happens when our defense loses guys to the portal or graduation and isn't as dominant as they are. Make no mistake we have been winning games because of our defense, in spite of our offense. So, it's cool now, because everything has fallen into place perfectly, But it's not sustainable. Like I said, you aren't going to get any WRs or TEs to stay and you definitely aren't going to get any to come over in the portal. So, what happens when there is no more Lowry in a year or 2 and whoever takes his spot isn't the runner Lowry is? Who is he going to throw to and how are we going to win games without the running attack we have now, and without developing or bring in any skill position talent?

If Lance Taylor wins the MAC this year does he become a hot property to move on to somewhere else? Given his past movements and his young age, I would think he would be looking to move up to a higher level. I would think that if he can pull off a championship in year 3 it would get him on the radar of Power 4 teams.

It's possible, but I'm not sure P4 schools are going to consider someone whose offense runs the 95% of the time. Realistically, I don't think just winning MAC games does a lot to bolster your resume with P4 schools unless you are doing it in a way they can see translate to their games. If he was putting out draft picks by retaining and developing players, I think they'd look at that as a win in the environment we are in, but that's not happening. If I'm a P4 school I don't know what his identity is, and he hasn't shown he can make the hires he would need to make to get a real shot at P4 - although O'Leary is proving to be the first of those I think. If he can hire a new OC in the office sesson and make another run next year in a more balanced offense (which i personally think is almost impossible, for all the reasons I've already mentioned) then I think he would have a real shot at some P4 looks.
11-20-2025 11:04 AM
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wmubroncopilot Offline
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Post: #239
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
I wouldn't put it out of the realm that a better funded G5 sniffs around (especially with the crazy carousel this year), obviously couldn't tell you if LT would make that jump. Don't think he has the resume for a P4 to seriously consider him yet.
11-20-2025 11:23 AM
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Post: #240
RE: WMU at Northern Illinois
(11-20-2025 11:04 AM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  
(11-20-2025 10:25 AM)sdsly Wrote:  
(11-19-2025 11:11 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  
(11-19-2025 12:16 AM)ejd_5277 Wrote:  
(11-18-2025 10:56 PM)CockyBronc3 Wrote:  At the risk of sounding like a downer... I'm glad we are winning, but this football is hard to watch. We had 59 carries and 5 completions, 1 of which was really a jet sweep. It is mind boggling how we can win games like that. Everyone knows we are going to run. 1st and 10? Run. 3rd and 7? Run. 3 and 10? Maybe a 4 yard pass. Or a Run. It's just hard to watch. It's like watch army or navy play when you know there is just never going to be any downfield plays. It's like rugby or something.

We better hope we win the MAC this year because we.might have to play lineman at WR next year. I can't see a single WRs or TEs staying here and definitely can't see any WRs or TEs coming here through the portal next year.

This is our shot, hope we make the best of it!

To each their own of course but I could not disagree with this more. In fact, in some ways I’m enjoying this season more than 2016.

If you had said “boring,” I would give you that. I get it… “chicks dig the long ball.” Downfield passing attacks and explosive plays are certainly fun to watch…. Call me old school, but for me personally it’s more fun to watch a team come together and gel over the course of a season like ours has.

That 2016 team had a bunch of DUDES. Blue chip talent outside and on the OL, and one of the highest IQ quarterbacks to ever play in the MAC, who also had an above-average arm.

This team has none of that, but what it has are a bunch of guys who know *exactly* what they can do and what they can’t do, and that’s what they do. No one out there is trying to be someone they’re not. Broc Lowry is easily the highest-IQ, most self-aware quarterback we’ve had since Zach Terrell. Sure, there’s an occasional misread on the RPO but that happens to Lamar Jackson once in awhile too. How often has he forced a pass downfield into double coverage or something that he shouldn’t have thrown? Once? All year?

Also, Buckley is finally healthy and that’s helped *immensely.*

The defense is a bit soft in the middle, but again, this coaching staff and these players know that so they run schemes specifically to shore that up. For what our interior linebackers/DL lack in physicality they make up for with great gap integrity and eye discipline.

I distinctly remember two hallmarks of Tim Lester defenses:

A.) poor fundamental tackling skills, and
B.) DB’s hanging with receivers, but then failing to get their heads around to look for the football, many times drawing a flag for interference.

Both those problems look like ancient history now. We tackle REALLY well, we are one of the least-penalized teams in the country, we win the turnover battle, and we play to our strengths and mitigate weaknesses through different schemes.

You’re confusing solid, fundamental football with “watchability,” but I’ll take this over being on the wrong side of the 42-35 shootouts of yesteryear any day of the week.

Yeah, I mean I guess it just depends on what you want. We can be competitive in the MAC for another year or 2 while Lowry is here with this totally 1 dimensional offense possibly, and just continue to get crushed by non-MAC teams. And I guess if thats where we are then we just have to be ok winning really boring football games, as long as our defense can keep playing like they have been.

But also, what happens if Lowry gets hurt, which is more and more likely as he contimues to carry the ball a TON. Or what happens if he thinks he killed it this year and decides to hit the portal? Or what happens when our defense loses guys to the portal or graduation and isn't as dominant as they are. Make no mistake we have been winning games because of our defense, in spite of our offense. So, it's cool now, because everything has fallen into place perfectly, But it's not sustainable. Like I said, you aren't going to get any WRs or TEs to stay and you definitely aren't going to get any to come over in the portal. So, what happens when there is no more Lowry in a year or 2 and whoever takes his spot isn't the runner Lowry is? Who is he going to throw to and how are we going to win games without the running attack we have now, and without developing or bring in any skill position talent?

If Lance Taylor wins the MAC this year does he become a hot property to move on to somewhere else? Given his past movements and his young age, I would think he would be looking to move up to a higher level. I would think that if he can pull off a championship in year 3 it would get him on the radar of Power 4 teams.

It's possible, but I'm not sure P4 schools are going to consider someone whose offense runs the 95% of the time. Realistically, I don't think just winning MAC games does a lot to bolster your resume with P4 schools unless you are doing it in a way they can see translate to their games. If he was putting out draft picks by retaining and developing players, I think they'd look at that as a win in the environment we are in, but that's not happening. If I'm a P4 school I don't know what his identity is, and he hasn't shown he can make the hires he would need to make to get a real shot at P4 - although O'Leary is proving to be the first of those I think. If he can hire a new OC in the office sesson and make another run next year in a more balanced offense (which i personally think is almost impossible, for all the reasons I've already mentioned) then I think he would have a real shot at some P4 looks.

That win over UNT would have looked awfully nice on his resume now.

Shame he let that one slip due to stupidity of his players.
11-20-2025 12:11 PM
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