Huskie Happenings features one big-time college football predictor who believes NIU could go undefeated. Check it out here!

It's possible with the schedule...however unlikely. There is always that MAC game that ends up being a trap and we have an embarrassing loss. Our four OOC games are very winnable. Wouldn't that be exciting...

Really just need to stay healthy, that's what screwed us in 2003.

Had the starting defense been on the field against BGSU or Toledo may have been a bit more interesting.

These kind of picks scare me. For one, it just builds up my hopes only to bring me down. Also, it puts a big bullseye on the Huskies' backs, and for all their MAC opponents the Huskies are the biggest team to beat. The Huskies' MAC opponents will step their game up a notch to play the Huskies.

Like Bleeds said, and 2003 showed, it is a MAC game that turns out to be a trap.

It is nice to get high praise, but it only takes one bad game to bring those power ratings down to earth.

(06-17-2010 01:47 PM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  Like Bleeds said, and 2003 showed, it is a MAC game that turns out to be a trap.

Monkey? Back? Meet Turdledo

anything is possible.
undefeated is highly, highly improbable.

dont drink summer's kool aid.

It is much more likey we go undefeated in 8 MAC games, than running the table in 4 non-conf games. I think we split non-conf and run the table in MAC play for a 10-2 record. I dont think it can be overstated that this is not going to be a stellar year for MAC football. At least on paper I'd have to say its the weakest of the past 10 years.

I'd think it's the other way around MD... Our OOC opponents really aren't that impressive. And it's much easier to win 4 games.

Going undefeated through conference play I think would be real tough though, that far into the season, with injuries, and pressure would be mounting each week, a lot would have to go right for us.

(06-17-2010 03:19 PM)HuskieFan84 Wrote:  I'd think it's the other way around MD... Our OOC opponents really aren't that impressive. And it's much easier to win 4 games.

Going undefeated through conference play I think would be real tough though, that far into the season, with injuries, and pressure would be mounting each week, a lot would have to go right for us.

I see your point hf84, but just looking at our MAC opponents, I just am having trouble seeing anybody that could beat us. The MAC could really be a joke this year. I see the next 1 to 2 years as a transition for the MAC, but I think years 3 and 4 could turn out to be stellar. I just can't see us running through non-conf play for the one reason of the venues we play it. Winning at Big 10/Big 12 venues is a tough task even against medoicre teams.

I'll just be happy if we beat a team that ends up over .500.

(06-17-2010 03:31 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  I'll just be happy if we beat a team that ends up over .500.

Even if we're 1-11?

(06-17-2010 10:13 AM)BleedsHuskieRed Wrote:  There is always that MAC game that ends up being a trap and we have an embarrassing loss.

That's a weak attitude MD. If you're the better team you can anywhere. See us in 2003 if you need an example, not many places harder to play than Alabama.

If we lose it's because we weren't as good or we weren't as well coached, it won't be because of the venue.

If Cspann and the other runningbacks live up to the hype and Spann comes anywhere close to what he did last year, I think there is a good chance. Especially with Coffman back on the defensive side.

It all depends on the health of Harnish. I doubt we go undefeated, but would anybody be surprised if we beat any of the three BCS teams we play? Our running back group is great, I like our WRs, I like our defense, we've added speed all over the place this year, and the offensive line will be fine. If Harnish is truly healthy, there's not a game on the schedule we can't win.

To everyone who complains about NIU's marketing, this is the best marketing that you can get!!!

We can only go undefeated if we play teams with a losing record, because Kill has yet to beat a team with a winning record. I'll give anyone who wants to bet, 30-1 odds we do not go undefeated this season. Agree with 7 the only chance we have to be half way decent is if Harnish stays healthy, and even if he is, I am not sold we can be any better than a slightly above average MAC team with him running the offense (not that we have a better alternative on the current roster). At least Kill cant run a 5-6 RB into the line 2 straight times anymore with 1 yard to gain for a first down in key close games

(06-17-2010 04:54 PM)HuskieFan84 Wrote:  That's a weak attitude MD. If you're the better team you can anywhere. See us in 2003 if you need an example, not many places harder to play than Alabama.

If we lose it's because we weren't as good or we weren't as well coached, it won't be because of the venue.

A better team or a much better team? I believe going into Minnesota and Illinois that this year those are pretty even matchups on paper. Playing in front of 50 or 70k or whatever their capactities are is not an easy task. Plus perhaps even more importantly you are not going to get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to officiating in those type of venues. Not complaining about that, but we know that is how it works. I just think expecting NIU to sweep those 4 games is unrealistic. I would accept 2-2, be very happy with 3-1, and do cartwheels for a sweep. Now if we had Illinois and Minnesota at home, I'd like us to sweep.

(06-17-2010 05:41 PM)Field Turf Wrote:  We can only go undefeated if we play teams with a losing record, because Kill has yet to beat a team with a winning record. I'll give anyone who wants to bet, 30-1 odds we do not go undefeated this season. Agree with 7 the only chance we have to be half way decent is if Harnish stays healthy, and even if he is, I am not sold we can be any better than a slightly above average MAC team with him running the offense (not that we have a better alternative on the current roster). At least Kill cant run a 5-6 RB into the line 2 straight times anymore with 1 yard to gain for a first down in key close games

This post almost sums it up for me. I do think Kill will beat some teams with winning records, but from my reading of Steele's system, it doesn't seem to take the coach's effectiveness into account (it may be part of one of those 9 different ratings he uses, but I didn't see it mentioned). Bottom line for me, Kill's poor in-game coaching will lose at least two winnable games.

Undefeated will not happen for this team under his regime, no matter how favorably the schedule stacks up.

(06-17-2010 03:59 PM)HuskieOne Wrote:  

(06-17-2010 03:31 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  I'll just be happy if we beat a team that ends up over .500.

Even if we're 1-11?

Yeah, it'd be a pretty hollow win/season at 1-11...but our wins were pretty hollow last year, so I don't know that it's that much worse.

Point being, I want NIU to be good enough to beat at least decent teams.