Kicking game will be a pivot point against the Illini.

You never want to not get 6 but putting points on the board and establishing that through out keeps all other options open.

Coming off a great effort against CMU it is imperative the JP not only get the opportunity but deliver time and again.

As Kimbo wrote, a B10 coach won't necessarily convince his team that a MAC squad can actually beat them. At some point, there will be scoreboard watching. If JP needs to split the uprights 3-4 times for three points that 9-12 points can start to play on the minds of both coaches and players.

WMU is pass oriented. But if time is a factor, being in striking distance point wise or ahead, play action or just ramming it down their throats, all taking time off the clock plays to WMU's favor. The Illini are expected to win. If that is in doubt it plays well for us both in our confidence and their downward spiral.

Armer, with effective directional kicking can augment JP by pinning the Illini into bad field position allowing WMU to have more effective options defensively. Couple that with a developing panic on the part of Illinois you get them to play right into your hands.

Now none of this matters much if we do turn it over and or allow the big play. But assuming we don't "self inflict" these "two cards" allow us to put pressure on the Illini to either fold their hand or make an unwise gamble that again plays right into our hands.

Hindsight is always 20/20. I attended last years NIU game. I too was worong on my call at the time but Coach Cubit decided to go for 6 instead of kicking a chip shot in either the 3rd or 4th quarter at the Seelye end zone side. We turned it over on downs and as the game played out we were forced to go for 6, panicked just enough that we forced somethings and couldnt pull it off in the end. Gotten 3 earlier, we could have controlled the clock, feinted going for field position to kick a game winner and gone over the top for 6 or with that threat still worked it in closer for JP to decide the game.

I hope we take the 3 when presented, execute and put the Zooker into Cubits shoes as of last year. That's what I mean by "playing into our hands". A little panic here, a little tension there and before you know it, a more physically gifted team can't execute effectively.

19-10. That is what the score should be.

Credit to John that he put it behind and was perfect.

Let's hope that given additional shots today continues his on-going perfection.