People always talk about SEC and how they will demolish the Big 10 in Bowl games. I think the Big Ten has faired pretty well against the SEC in head to head games, namely as being the dog most of the time.

Knock on B-10 has been slow/big lines, immobile QBs and inability to match up against defensively vs. SEC skill positions. It has been evident in some games, but is not true always. I think a lot of the SEC lacks discipline vs. BIG 10 schools. And like many schools, it always appears evident their DB/S have all the talent in the world, but play their since they can't catch or likely figure out the playbook.

(09-18-2011 08:01 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  That was what happen yesterday. Not bad coaching, no unprepared, not an underutilization of some players, lack of trick plays, Harnish isn't that good, NIU sucks, Lynch isn't the QB of the future, or defense is terrible. NIU played vs. a team that will more than likely play a BCS bowl game, maybe even a championship going through a WEAK Big Ten this year. They are average on defense, but their line looks like redwood trees and they are athletic. I sat right behind their bench and it was amazing their size. ALL positions.Like an NFL team.More than one person was in awe, and my favorite comment was the 50 year old woman next to me stating "that guy got hurt and his replacement weighs 340 pounds and he doesn't start?" When you see #66 at about 335 pulling and moving like a fullback, some is going to get drilled, or actually get out of his way a couple times. They have decent running backs and a Cam Newton style running back who can slither out of trouble. I heard people say UW wasn't that good and I asked what game were you watching?

Many may argue and blame everything and anything. When you don't turn the baLl over and still lose by 6 touchdowns, that is talent. I couldn't even figure out which thread to comment on since all were all over the place.The onside kick may not have been a good idea, but it was there for the taking. Doeren plays the fast offense thing to death. Vs Kansas, I think slowing it down could have helped give the defense rest. But I think his though was last team with the ball wins, and he was right if he did. Against UW, the thought was you want their defense on the field as much as possible and try to tire them. (basically, his quote too)I have no problem with that. I think he may want to slow down the game in the future to give the defense a rest if need be. The Lynch call on that 2nd and short was a little odd, namely since he doesn't play vs Kansas. Not criticizing, but seemed odd since KU had a worse def. Would have made no difference, but wouldn't hurt to see what works. I am not sure what could have been done and really don't believe "trick" plays and "less conservative" is the answer. I think there were a couple times when the offense tried to go for it all instead of taking what the gave, small to medium gains. But I am not a coach and I think Doeren knows his talent and what UW had to offer, basically an offensive juggernaut.

NIU will lose 1, maybe 2 more games. They may not lose at all, but not likely. What will more than likely occur in any of those cases it that they go to some sort of bowl like the Piggly Wiggly, Cracker Barrell or Valveeta where 20k will attend. That is where NIU is at, that is what they are. They have the talent to contend and win in the MAC (again, the arguments will come) and realistically, that is the short term goal (and should be) at this time and every year. Question and criticize, think as as you may, but understand reality vs. expectations......

.......and no we are not going to replace anyone in the Big East or Big 12 any time soon.

You over exaggerate greatly. We beat the last two big ten teams we played, and played Wisconsin fairly close last time we played them. We just had a bad day against a really good team, that's it. We also FYI could beat a number of big 12 or big east teams on any given day.

Don't turn into a doomsdayist, we have a good program and it continues to march forward.

(09-22-2011 06:53 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(09-18-2011 08:01 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  That was what happen yesterday. Not bad coaching, no unprepared, not an underutilization of some players, lack of trick plays, Harnish isn't that good, NIU sucks, Lynch isn't the QB of the future, or defense is terrible. NIU played vs. a team that will more than likely play a BCS bowl game, maybe even a championship going through a WEAK Big Ten this year. They are average on defense, but their line looks like redwood trees and they are athletic. I sat right behind their bench and it was amazing their size. ALL positions.Like an NFL team.More than one person was in awe, and my favorite comment was the 50 year old woman next to me stating "that guy got hurt and his replacement weighs 340 pounds and he doesn't start?" When you see #66 at about 335 pulling and moving like a fullback, some is going to get drilled, or actually get out of his way a couple times. They have decent running backs and a Cam Newton style running back who can slither out of trouble. I heard people say UW wasn't that good and I asked what game were you watching?

Many may argue and blame everything and anything. When you don't turn the baLl over and still lose by 6 touchdowns, that is talent. I couldn't even figure out which thread to comment on since all were all over the place.The onside kick may not have been a good idea, but it was there for the taking. Doeren plays the fast offense thing to death. Vs Kansas, I think slowing it down could have helped give the defense rest. But I think his though was last team with the ball wins, and he was right if he did. Against UW, the thought was you want their defense on the field as much as possible and try to tire them. (basically, his quote too)I have no problem with that. I think he may want to slow down the game in the future to give the defense a rest if need be. The Lynch call on that 2nd and short was a little odd, namely since he doesn't play vs Kansas. Not criticizing, but seemed odd since KU had a worse def. Would have made no difference, but wouldn't hurt to see what works. I am not sure what could have been done and really don't believe "trick" plays and "less conservative" is the answer. I think there were a couple times when the offense tried to go for it all instead of taking what the gave, small to medium gains. But I am not a coach and I think Doeren knows his talent and what UW had to offer, basically an offensive juggernaut.

NIU will lose 1, maybe 2 more games. They may not lose at all, but not likely. What will more than likely occur in any of those cases it that they go to some sort of bowl like the Piggly Wiggly, Cracker Barrell or Valveeta where 20k will attend. That is where NIU is at, that is what they are. They have the talent to contend and win in the MAC (again, the arguments will come) and realistically, that is the short term goal (and should be) at this time and every year. Question and criticize, think as as you may, but understand reality vs. expectations......

.......and no we are not going to replace anyone in the Big East or Big 12 any time soon.

You over exaggerate greatly. We beat the last two big ten teams we played, and played Wisconsin fairly close last time we played them. We just had a bad day against a really good team, that's it. We also FYI could beat a number of big 12 or big east teams on any given day.

Don't turn into a doomsdayist, we have a good program and it continues to march forward.

I thought I was being quite the opposite. I was stating things were not that bad. Not turning the ball over once is not a bad day. We were pretty evenly matched vs. Kansas all around and either team could ahve won. We could beat a few Big 10 teams, Big 12 I haven't see them play. I saw UW/NIU (and made some great cased meats and beer nuggets)and that team seemed to coast through the game and put points up at will. Sure, we moved the ball a little, which I thought was ok. But hard to play catchup. Ask The Bear. And saying we will likely lose 0-1, "maybe" 2 is not doomsday. And NIU will make a lower tier bowl. @ 1-2, not sure what else can be said?

When we played OSU, we were a better team than this current team, and I don't think they were as good UW was Saturday.They played for the Championship in a weak Big 10 year with a great defense(7 teams under 10), good offense. They had 2 close games in UM and UI and we were likely the 3rd, 4th best game they were given and we lost by 3tds. I see UW doing the same this year. And if we play 2011 UW/ 2006 OSU 10 times each...home, road or neutral....we lose every time, perhaps making a game or sneaking one out at home. We just don't have their talent. Other BCS teams, some no, some yes.

And perhaps they will, like OSU get their rear kicked vs an SEC team, or OK, Time will tell what their destiny is.